My first experience with public/private beach issue

Beach Fanatic

Apr 11, '08 · 9:40 PM31,215

I took the kids out late this afternoon/early evening to the beach access at Dune Allen. Everyone had left, including the lifeguard. We were playing in the sand right in front of the access saw over to the left (when facing the Gulf) a man come out of his house and walk about halfway out to shore & pound a sign into the sand with a bucket. There was already a sign facing Dune Allen on his "property" (AKA the beach) that it was private property.

He went back up onto his deck and he watched us for about 10 minutes and then went inside. I don't know if he thought we were hooligans or something but his actions were strange, to say the least. We were at least 75 feet away from his "private property." And, I was picking up trash, ciggies & other crap off the beach. He obviously waited for everyone to go home before posting that, so that tomorrow, everyone could see where they shouldn't be, according to him.

This saddened me a lot. I didn't walk over there, because it would have been a blatant action on my part. With 2 young kids and a toddler dragging along behind me, not wanting to do anything but play in the sand... he would have known I was up to something.;-)

That sign would blow away in any hard wind and just be more trash on the beach and in the water. :bang:

Signs on the beach, besides official ones, should be :banned:

. They are atrocious.

Secondly, I (sort of) understand the whole idea of wanting your private space/sanctuary, but if that is what one wants, why build/buy a home right on a beach, ESPECIALLY right next to beach access??? :idontno:

To start posting ugly as h*** signs all over the beach, telling locals & tourists alike that they are not allowed on that location is rude. I can think of some other choice words, but I won't use them.

When are we going to get back to the idea of community? What is it going to take for us to wake up and stop biotching & moaning at each other? When are we going to realize that we are no better than someone else & that our needs are no more or less important that anyone else's?

Dave & others have mentioned it in the Blue Sign thread more than once, that we have successfully pulled together as a community to do something about the signs because they are eyesores. We need to pull together to make this community one we can all be proud of, without the nastiness of property rights regarding beaches & ugly signs (including for sale signs all over) everywhere.

This can be done and we can all be proud of SoWal as a whole.

Replies

145

Beach Lover

Apr 12, '08 · 11:37 AM#27

Sorry I don't have anything eloquent to say, just :pissed:

ARRRRRGGH!!!!!

and :lolabove:

yeah! What they said!!!

SoWal Expert

Apr 12, '08 · 12:41 PM#28

The thing that REALLY gets me is that these people aren't even using the beach, but they still have to keep others from enjoying it.

A mom with 3 little kids who is PICKING UP OTHER PEOPLE'S TRASH - That sure as sheet would have me running outside to post illegal signs. :roll:

They can argue property rights and MHWL and legal precedent as long as they want, but at the end of the day these people are just selfish arseholes who enjoy ruining other people's fun and who didn't learn the kindergarten lesson about sharing and courtesy.

For anyone who gets run off a "private" beach, PM me and I'll give you directions to a parking space and beach where the neighbors have some manners. If you bring your own towels, you can use the shower too!

Edited Apr 12, '08 · 12:45 PM

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 2:19 PM#29

I did go back out there this afternoon. I didn't want to be falsely accusing anyone of anything, so I wanted to make sure what the sign said.

I told Mr. OM this morning about the situation & his response was, "You better be glad I wasn't with you because I would have marched up to his door & asked him 'What the f-bomb???' I cannot stand people who do that so don't get me started!!!!" This is from my non-political husband who doesn't like to get into with people, MOST of the time.

Luckily, the guy's car wasn't there, so I pretty much knew all was clear. I let the lifeguard know what I was doing beforehand AND that I normally don't do things like this.

The LG's response was that although he didn't agree with the whole private property issues on the beach, the guy did have a right to post them. He said if I got harrassed, just say I was going for a walk. He gave me his opinion of the homeowner, but I won't express it here. :cool:

The sign facing the access was a private property sign telling people to walk along the shore & even mentioned keeping dogs out of his property. The one he put up while we were there yesterday was a smaller version of the same sign, telling people to stay along the water, but no mention of dogs.

I went back up and spoke with the LG and he said again he really doesn't agree with the private property on the beach issue but that homeowners pay a lot of money for that right. We chatted for a little while about the subject and I took the kids and left.

I know the homeowner simply waited until everyone was gone to post the signs yesterday. It wasn't about US. We just happened to be there when he did it. It just floored me that as humans, we think we OWN everything. That's what gets to me. My kids were oblivious to the whole thing.

NOTE: We don't look like we deserve the Blue Wave Beach designation with all the signs.:shock: Yep, I said it. It trashes up the place just as much as the trash does.

SoWal is at a turning point in growth. We can either develop gracefully (which I know means one thing to one person & another to someone else) or we can explode into areas like FWB, Destin & PCB. That's what the issue with the TDC signs is about and that's what the issue with property rights is about also. As a community, it's our choice, ultimately.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 2:41 PM#30

It was my understanding that gulf front properties owners in Dune Allen did NOT own up the MHWL.

Not according to the lifeguard I spoke to today. He said there's a lady over at Ed Walline that doesn't put signs up, just lets her dog bark like mad at people on the beach when they're on her "property."

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 2:41 PM#31

Organic Mama...i'm pretty sure Dune Allen Beach belongs to me...you're welcome to use it however you wish...;-)

Thank you, Hop! That's very sweet of you!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 2:54 PM#32

OM- that really ticks me off. A few years ago when they were doing the sit-ins in Destin I wrote a column on my thoughts about several beach issues. (I got some nasty responses from homeowners) I went down to Dune Allen and walked, and those atrocious walkovers that people had built after Ivan that stretched an ungodly distance to the water were such eyesores to the view. I don't even know if they're still there, but I couldn't believe they were allowed to build them!

Sorry you had to go through that...I think the kiddies doing a sit in is a great idea...if we could only get them to sit!!
Here's the column if you want to read it.

Your point about beach access was great! All that keeps popping into my head is a generalized version of the Native American belief that we really don't own any land.

I hate to get really philosophical but I do believe that in the coming years, we are really going to have to relearn the value of community & of sharing. We can't continue down this road of "It's mine!!!" for much longer.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 12, '08 · 3:04 PM#33

OM, I have a state park pass. You may want to get one. They're not that much and you can go at night. If I remember correctly there is a park just on the other side of Sea Side. It is a beautiful park.

They have showers and park rangers there. For as little as I think $86.00 you have your own beach. I live on the water and see how anal people get when someone gets on their property but let me say living on the water is over rated anyway.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 3:20 PM#34

OM, I have a state park pass. You may want to get one. They're not that much and you can go at night. If I remember correctly there is a park just on the other side of Sea Side. It is a beautiful park.

They have showers and park rangers there. For as little as I think $86.00 you have your own beach. I live on the water and see how anal people get when someone gets on their property but let me say living on the water is over rated anyway.

Thanks, sandybanks! :wave:

We actually live near Topsail & go there frequently, but the kids like using various accesses. There is an access quite close to the edge of Topsail that we use 90% of the time & have no trouble with homeowners or anything. That's why I've never experienced any of this at all.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 12, '08 · 3:28 PM#35

Sounds like the perfect place for a soiree!

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 4:11 PM#36

Sounds like the perfect place for a soiree!

Steele mama, you are so funny! :clap:

It's even funnier because you are so kind & proper that outrageous behaviour like that just seems so unlike you but then also so like you at the same time!!!! :wub:

Hugs & Love from all of us!

Beach Fanatic

Apr 12, '08 · 4:15 PM#37

Steele mama, you are so funny! It's even funnier because you are so kind & proper that outrageous behaviour like that just seems so unlike you but then also so like you at the same time!!!! Hugs & Love from all of us!

Kind and proper???? Oh thanks so much. Love you too! It would be friendly soiree.

percy

Apr 12, '08 · 6:20 PM#38

Sounds like the perfect place for a soiree!

Girl, you're on a roll today! :lolabove:

Beach Fanatic

Apr 12, '08 · 6:39 PM#39

Not according to the lifeguard I spoke to today. He said there's a lady over at Ed Walline that doesn't put signs up, just lets her dog bark like mad at people on the beach when they're on her "property."

If you are talking about the home adjacent and east of the Dune Allen Access, that property extends south of his deck about just 65 feet. I looked at his survey.

I spoke with code enforcement about his sign when he first posted it. He put it at the southwest corner of his property but it's wording "please walk near the shore" or some words to that effect are misleading. Code enforcement told me that since he references a Florida Statute on the sign it is a DEP matter, not Walton County. I'm seriously considering making my own sign to put right next to his saying this beach is for public use referencing F.S. 253.001. Mine should stay up too.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 7:21 PM#40

If you are talking about the home adjacent and east of the Dune Allen Access, that property extends south of his deck about just 65 feet. I looked at his survey.

I spoke with code enforcement about his sign when he first posted it. He put it at the southwest corner of his property but it's wording "please walk near the shore" or some words to that effect are misleading. Code enforcement told me that since he references a Florida Statute on the sign it is a DEP matter, not Walton County. I'm seriously considering making my own sign to put right next to his saying this beach is for public use referencing F.S. 253.001. Mine should stay up too.

He put up a second sign on the east side of his property, facing the water.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 12, '08 · 7:30 PM#41

He put up a second sign on the east side of his property, facing the water.

At least I know where* to put my towel and chair this Summer!

*South of and between his signs. :cool:

SoWal Expert

Apr 12, '08 · 7:32 PM#42

OM, was it at the Ft Panic access, the one with the big parking lot?

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 7:37 PM#43

OM, was it at the Ft Panic access, the one with the big parking lot?

Yes. We usually don't go there but the girls wanted to yesterday. We're usually off Bishop.

SoWal Expert

Apr 12, '08 · 7:41 PM#44

which direction were the priv property signs, east or west of that access?

Beach Fanatic

Apr 12, '08 · 7:47 PM#45

The problem is that with all things the bad of a few affects everyone.

Organicmama was doing a good thing and being respectful of the beach and not bothering anyone, as stated, enhancing the beauty of the area with picking up litter and having children playing. :wub:

However just as you have her being respectful you have others that are not. They litter, they come to to the beach front property and throw up, urinate or worse :blink:

and get into homeowners pools. I have seen this behavior in person at friends who have homes affected.

I am sure this behavior is not exhibited by anyone that will read this; but it happens and then innocents such as OM and her children suffer for it.

It is sad

and have no idea what the answer is.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 8:46 PM#46

which direction were the priv property signs, east or west of that access?

East of it.

We have always instinctively gone west when we have used that access. Yesterday, we were in front of it because absolutely no one was there AND it was chilly, so we never made it to the water.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 8:53 PM#47

The problem is that with all things the bad of a few affects everyone.

Organicmama was doing a good thing and being respectful of the beach and not bothering anyone, as stated, enhancing the beauty of the area with picking up litter and having children playing.

However just as you have her being respectful you have others that are not. They litter, they come to to the beach front property and throw up, urinate or worse and get into homeowners pools. I have seen this behavior in person at friends who have homes affected.

I am sure this behavior is not exhibited by anyone that will read this; but it happens and then innocents such as OM and her children suffer for it.

It is sad and have no idea what the answer is.

Your are totally right. I agree wholeheartedly. It irritates me to no end seeing people trash the beach or private property. I also think, "Didn't their parents raise them better than that???" :blink:

My thought about the beaches & ownership is that I would assume, if I bought property on the beach, I would naturally be sharing it with those who come to the beach. Then, instead of privatizing it, I would seek to inform people about respecting the beauty of the beach, instead of littering, etc. Putting up a sign to say "Keep off" or "Private Property" on the beach wouldn't cross my mind. A driveway, pool or a yard is a totally different matter.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 12, '08 · 8:55 PM#48

Your are totally right. I agree wholeheartedly. It irritates me to no end seeing people trash the beach or private property. I also think, "Didn't their parents raise them better than that???"

My thought about the beaches & ownership is that I would assume, if I bought property on the beach, I would naturally be sharing it with those who come to the beach. Then, instead of privatizing it, I would seek to inform people about respecting the beauty of the beach, instead of littering, etc. Putting up a sign to say "Keep off" or "Private Property" on the beach wouldn't cross my mind. A driveway, pool or a yard is a totally different matter.

Totally agree, such a shame that others do not know proper behavior.

SoWal Expert

Apr 12, '08 · 9:20 PM#49

East of it.

That is very interesting. I may have to take a look-see. Those lots to the immediate east do not appear to be platted to the Mean High Water Mark.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 12, '08 · 9:24 PM#50

Totally agree, such a shame that others do not know proper behavior.

You are right on! That's part of the reason I'd never buy on the beach, as it irks me that people haven't evolved enough to know they need to clean up after themselves and behave in an at least halfway decent manner. I guess they think they can't have funn without making a mess!;-)

That is very interesting. I may have to take a look-see. Those lots to the immediate east do not appear to be platted to the Mean High Water Mark.

Which is what Mango was saying earlier. I went & looked at the signs today because I didn't want to accuse someone of something without knowing what I was talking about.