Barrington officials are enacting new restrictions at the town beach, following an overcrowded parking situation last Sunday. 

Barrington Recreation Department Director Michele Geremia said the issue surfaced after officials moved the town’s summer concert series from Latham Park to the town beach two weeks ago. 

The concerts drew a crowd, which impacted the beach parking lot. 

“Last Sunday, Barrington Police had to come down and clear cars out of the parking lot,” Geremia said. “They were parking illegally and there were issues with traffic getting jammed up at that entrance. We don’t want to repeat that for the next three Sundays.”

In an effort to limit the potential for parking problems, the town will limit beach parking to Barrington residents only on Sundays, Aug. 13, 20 and 27. Also, parking will not be allowed on the grassy area of the beach or in spots not clearly designated for parking. 

“All we’re saying for the next three Sundays, is that it will just be Barrington residents parking in the lot,” she said. 

Geremia said people from outside of town are still welcome to attend the concerts or go to the beach after 5 p.m. 

“I’ve gotten a couple of emails, people who are non-residents are upset because they think they are not welcome at the concerts. That’s not the case. We invite people. We welcome people. The parking for the concerts won’t be any different than it typically is. They won’t see a difference, because most of the time they come down at 4 or 5 on Sunday. They can’t get into the lot anyway, so they’re parking on the side streets,” Geremia said. 

The town is asking people who are attending the summer concerts to consider taking alternative forms of transportation to the beach. People can park at Nayatt School and walk to the beach or they can ride their bikes to the beach. 

Geremia said police will be at the beach on Sunday afternoon.

“They will be there directing traffic and parking cars on the side streets, where they seem permissible,” she said. “It hasn’t changed from any procedure we typically follow.”

Three shows left

Following are the three shows remaining in the Barrington Summer Concert Series:

• Sunday, Aug. 13 — Roger Ceresi's Allstarz

• Sunday, Aug. 20 — Trinity

• Sunday, Aug. 27 — Brass Attack

The concerts take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m.