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 Fanatic

Apr 18, '08 · 8:58 AM#102

Last week two "Private Property" signs were erected on the beach bordering the TDC beach access most of us in Cassine use. These signs are on each side of the designated private area. They are located adjacent to the TDC beach access next to One Seagrove Place. First Sugar Cliffs managed to seize the much-used former public beach access and privatize it for their own use....most Cassine owners now use the access next to One Seagrove. Not surprisingly, now they're staking their claim to the beach. :bang:

In addition to the obvious frustration Cassine owners are experiencing, some of the other concerns are:

1. These six feet high signs are large, unsightly, and a blight to the scenic beach area.

2. The signs are located in the middle the beach which could interfere with turtle nesting and could pose a hazard to people walking the beach at night.

3. This beach location has customarily been used extensively by the public for many decades prior to the construction of dwellings at this site.

Cassine HOA is suggesting owners call at least one Commissioner.

This is so sad. :cry:

Edited Apr 18, '08 · 9:36 AM

margarita brocolia

Apr 18, '08 · 12:19 PM#103

I rode by the access today to look for myself. It appears his sign is further north than when he first posted it last year. Still, the intent is obviously to keep the public (at the Dune Allen access) from going any further east than his sign rather than to prevent people from disturbing his dune vegetation. .......................

Which Dune Allen access is this at? Is it the one adjacent (East) to Old Florida Cottages? Trying to get my bearings.

.

SoWal Expert

Apr 18, '08 · 12:30 PM#104

It is the one with the big parking lot, last one on west end of 30A.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 18, '08 · 12:34 PM#105

No, the last access to the west on 30A. (Not counting Topsail). It is the one, with a parking lot, between Topsail and Ed Wallin Park.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 18, '08 · 12:36 PM#106

Well, Rita should know where it is now, anyway. Sorry SJ, I didn't mean to cross post.

margarita brocolia

Apr 18, '08 · 12:38 PM#107

No, the last access to the west on 30A. (Not counting Topsail). It is the one, with a parking lot, between Topsail and Ed Wallin Park.

Across 30-A from Allen Loop?

.

SoWal Expert

Apr 18, '08 · 12:43 PM#108

no, that one doesn't have parking for cars, according to the sign posted, in front of the gravel (golf cart parking lot). The big paved one has restrooms and is a little farther west, just before 30A begins to turn north.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 18, '08 · 12:51 PM#109

I used to call it the Fort Panic access before TDC made their map:
http://www.protectwaltoncountybeaches.com/BSWAccessMap062007.pdf

There are three more public accesses going west before Topsail. None with parking, showers, restrooms, etc.

margarita brocolia

Apr 18, '08 · 1:09 PM#110

no, that one doesn't have parking for cars, according to the sign posted, in front of the gravel (golf cart parking lot). The big paved one has restrooms and is a little farther west, just before 30A begins to turn north.

Ok. I just couldn't remember any with large parking lots.

If this keeps up the beach is going to look like a giant parking lot of Private Property signs. How very unfortunate . :angry:

.

SoWal Expert

Apr 18, '08 · 1:54 PM#111

justalocal, thanks for the map. That has for a long time been known as the Fort Panic Access, but I guess that name doesn't sit well for tourists. There are more accesses to the west as you note, but they are not on 30A. Ft Panic (Dune Allen) is the last one directly located on 30A

Beach Fanatic

Apr 18, '08 · 3:56 PM#112

justalocal, thanks for the map. That has for a long time been known as the Fort Panic Access, but I guess that name doesn't sit well for tourists. There are more accesses to the west as you note, but they are not on 30A. Ft Panic (Dune Allen) is the last one directly located on 30A

You're right.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 18, '08 · 4:08 PM#113

justalocal, thanks for the map. That has for a long time been known as the Fort Panic Access, but I guess that name doesn't sit well for tourists. There are more accesses to the west as you note, but they are not on 30A. Ft Panic (Dune Allen) is the last one directly located on 30A

:nono1: Shhh! Don't tell anyone about the other ones! They are quiet & very peaceful, without too many signs.

SoWal Expert

Apr 18, '08 · 4:18 PM#114

Don't worry, once people hear that there is no parking at them, they quickly drive elsewhere.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 18, '08 · 4:22 PM#115

Don't worry, once people hear that there is no parking at them, they quickly drive elsewhere.

That's a good thing! :clap:

A jogging stroller & bikes still have parking at them.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 18, '08 · 4:23 PM#116

Psst, don't tell them about Dune Allen either!

Beach Fanatic

Apr 18, '08 · 4:38 PM#117

I think most locals will not ever really have a problem finding a way to the beach. I'm most concerned about our visitors. I want to share the beauty and enjoyment of this area. I love to see people from other places discover our piece of paradise. Not just the beach and Gulf but the Bay, creeks, rivers, parks, and multiuse paths too. It warms my heart to know people come here on vacation and make memories that last a lifetime. I love to travel and find my favorite places are those where the locals are glad I'm there and anxious to share the best their locations have to offer.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 18, '08 · 4:54 PM#118

I think most locals will not ever really have a problem finding a way to the beach. I'm most concerned about our visitors. I want to share the beauty and enjoyment of this area. I love to see people from other places discover our piece of paradise. Not just the beach and Gulf but the Bay, creeks, rivers, parks, and multiuse paths too. It warms my heart to know people come here on vacation and make memories that last a lifetime. I love to travel and find my favorite places are those where the locals are glad I'm there and anxious to share the best their locations have to offer.

I know. I end up telling everyone where I think the coolest locations are. I can't not tell them. It's why I love living here.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 20, '08 · 6:46 AM#119

The BCC has solved the problem. From the new animal control ordinance,

(p) ?Public Beach? shall be defined as:

1) The land from the mean high tide line to the Gulf of Mexico;
2) The sandy area next to the mean high tide on which the public has had customary use.

Finally someone has stated the obvious.

SoWal Expert

Apr 20, '08 · 9:03 AM#120

lol. Funny how they worded #2. Now people apparently have to prove customary use, as people erect no trespassing signs on property which has been customarily used by the public.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Apr 20, '08 · 9:10 AM#121

lol. Funny how they worded #2. Now people apparently have to prove customary use, as people erect no trespassing signs on property which has been customarily used by the public.

Old beach photos would be great evidence in that case. Other than that, it's a cop-out.

Beach Fanatic

Apr 20, '08 · 1:28 PM#122

The BCC has solved the problem. From the new animal control ordinance,

(p) ?Public Beach? shall be defined as:

1) The land from the mean high tide line to the Gulf of Mexico;
2) The sandy area next to the mean high tide on which the public has had customary use.

Finally someone has stated the obvious.

I've read this 10 times and still haven't figured out what's obvious about item #2.

It's not clear at all to me. Simply put, the county can not make that determination. Is that the part that's obvious?

SoWal Expert

Apr 20, '08 · 6:35 PM#123

To me, the County is making the determination whether or not the beach was customarily used by the public. They are simply noting that there is a law regarding customary use, and are leaving it to the property owners and public to battle out if need be. The County's response has not changed, it simply repeats their lack of action, which is smart because they really don't have the authority to make that determination of customary use, in my opinion. We may not agree on much, BMBV, but I do agree that the only ones who have the authority to make the official determination of use is the Court, if the property owners want to battle it out with the beach going public.

Beach Lover

May 9, '08 · 8:51 PM#124

Thanks everyone!!! Oddly enough I was this ___ close to renting in Dune Allen. However after reading about this rude and selfish incident, I'll be renting elsewhere!

Beach FanaticAuthor

May 9, '08 · 9:07 PM#125

Thanks everyone!!! Oddly enough I was this ___ close to renting in Dune Allen. However after reading about this rude and selfish incident, I'll be renting elsewhere!

Bishop Drive is close to Dune Allen & is such a nice access! That's where we usually head to the beach. There's no restrooms there, but there's also not that many people. It's our favourite access as a family.