PLEASE READ: Save our beaches!

The holes this year are HUGE!!!! We've been to 4 different accesses this week on the west end of 30-A and ALL of them have huge holes. I try to kick sand in them and stand on the sides of them so that they are a bit smaller after we leave. I wouldn't mind if they were illegal.

Our kids & I build small tunnels, but after we are done, we happily destroy them & flatten the sand back out.

There are shovels everywhere, just randomly left! I teach our kids to clean up everything we bring, even the tiniest thing. They know not to leave anything at all.

My brother, who's coming down in June, asked about leaving stuff on the beach overnight. He claimed that on St. George Island, they were allowed to leave their tents, gear, etc. all week. It really disgusted me, but I didn't get snarky on him. I just said, "That's not the right thing to do..." and listed the reasons why politely. (They've already rented a place NEXT year on St. George's again.) I'll watch him closely this year.

I have always thought that those float tubes or snakes.....alone would take years and years for the dump to consume them....does anyone know if those things can be recycled? are they not just a large styrofoam cup (colored)...and the same for those boogy boards...those are just styrofoam..could we not start a collection point for those and have a Sowal team effort to at least recycle that if possible...I know,,,,just rentals alone..i see those things in the trash every weekend!

There are problems with enforcement of existing laws. Adding more laws which cannot be enforced solves nothing, and just makes us yell louder. I have a good mind to solve the issue with daily shovel runs. What if each of us celebrated sunset everyday by bringing our big shovels to the beach and filled in all of the holes dug during the day. It might be pretty fun. I have always wanted to knock over a sandcastle or two anyway.

Skunky, you are right about the cheap plastic crap going from the shelf to the beach, but I hate that all of that crap piles up in the dump. I wish there were stations around the length of 30A where kids could go to get free toys, and throw them back in the Free Box when they are done, or just prior to leaving town (oh my, Smiling JOe is anti-capitalistic) so that another kid can use the crap. As the crap wears out, then recycle it. This entire disposable society we have sucks big time.

SJ, I think this is a great idea. I would also vote for total banning of those shovels they are selling to the kids.

Maybe some of the money used for trash collection could be used instead for a roving band of beach toy trucks--something similar to the Ice Cream truck. They could travel around handing out beach toys and collecting from again at the end of the day. I bet if smart people put their minds to it, a great solution could be found that might be funn as well as environmentally friendly and safe..

SJ, I think this is a great idea. I would also vote for total banning of those shovels they are selling to the kids.

Maybe some of the money used for trash collection could be used instead for a roving band of beach toy trucks--something similar to the Ice Cream truck. They could travel around handing out beach toys and collecting from again at the end of the day. I bet if smart people put their minds to it, a great solution could be found that might be funn as well as environmentally friendly and safe..

Well last April me and hubby were at ed walline after a brunch at Blooms
we went down with a wine glass each to toast the sunset and of course, head back with the glasses for a refill

A cop came along and told, yes told, we must leave the beach at once, no wait 5 mins til the sun goes down, off we go

So if that kind of enforcement is possible, and large enough fines are imposed at various times of the year, [and its made very public ]
by the law enforecment officers that do patrol the beaches, and, the trash cans are more available and emptied, and the TDC addresses it, and Rental Property owners/agencies inform educate, along with local TV and Beach TV running warnings about fines and of course to leave it as you find it
and how about if we the community educates people when on the beach at sunset when people are leaving
then we have a shot at curbing it.
If that isnt done, then get ready for trashed beaches all day every day
the problem doesnt lie with who sells a plastic bucket and shovel

I was raised under the very simple saying that is located at every state park in Florida.

Take only pictures and leave only footprints.

I don't mind if people take seashells, but take your crap you brought. Fill in your holes. Personally I'm not opposed to telling someone I see on the beach that they need to fill in their whole, pick up their trash, etc. Tell the kids that are digging the hole that they hurt sea turtles and they will quickly fill it in before they leave.

As to telling folks about the remove it or lose it, the rental company I used to work for did it religiously. Better to tell a guest up front than deal with the whining of why the tent city disappeared.

Please don't flick cigarette butts on the beach, they don't always go right out. As a former smoker I understand you need your fix, but make sure it's out and put it in an empty can you take with you when you leave. It really hurts when those things burn the bottom of your foot. Not to mention I can't imagine a small child getting burned.

Has the TDC ever considered an adopt the beach program? Adopt a section of beach and keep it clean. Seems to work for roads. :idonno:

Well last April me and hubby were at ed walline after a brunch at Blooms
we went down with a wine glass each to toast the sunset and of course, head back with the glasses for a refill

A cop came along and told, yes told, we must leave the beach at once, no wait 5 mins til the sun goes down, off we go

So if that kind of enforcement is possible, and large enough fines are imposed at various times of the year, [and its made very public ]
by the law enforecment officers that do patrol the beaches, and, the trash cans are more available and emptied, and the TDC addresses it, and Rental Property owners/agencies inform educate, along with local TV and Beach TV running warnings about fines and of course to leave it as you find it
and how about if we the community educates people when on the beach at sunset when people are leaving
then we have a shot at curbing it.
If that isnt done, then get ready for trashed beaches all day every day
the problem doesnt lie with who sells a plastic bucket and shovel

If it was illegal to leave the beach for the day, without filling in the hole you dug, how would the Code Enforcement know who dug the hole and their address, for writing the citation? Also, if a three year old digs a hole, is Code Enforcement going to write the three year old the citation, if he happened to somehow manage to get the kid's name? It ain't rocket science. Think about these things.

Well last April me and hubby were at ed walline after a brunch at Blooms
we went down with a wine glass each to toast the sunset and of course, head back with the glasses for a refill

A cop came along and told, yes told, we must leave the beach at once, no wait 5 mins til the sun goes down, off we go

So if that kind of enforcement is possible, and large enough fines are imposed at various times of the year, [and its made very public ]
by the law enforecment officers that do patrol the beaches, and, the trash cans are more available and emptied, and the TDC addresses it, and Rental Property owners/agencies inform educate, along with local TV and Beach TV running warnings about fines and of course to leave it as you find it
and how about if we the community educates people when on the beach at sunset when people are leaving
then we have a shot at curbing it.
If that isnt done, then get ready for trashed beaches all day every day
the problem doesnt lie with who sells a plastic bucket and shovel

I am confused, again. Are you saying you were asked to leave the beach because the sun was going down or because you had glass on the beach?
I must applaud you for a brunch that lasts until sunset...!

We'll be in SoWal for a week only but I promise to contribute to the cause by bringing a bag for garbage collection while we take our beach walks. From the sounds of it, my waistline should become plenty slim in a week just from all the bending over & picking up I'll be doing. ;-)

Take only pictures and leave only footprints.
This should be the STATE motto....not just state PARKS....and should be printed on every walkover sign.

Tell the kids that are digging the hole that they hurt sea turtles and they will quickly fill it in before they leave.

This is a great approach, for when you have the opportunity to do so without seeming creepy. Bypass the parents and talk directly to the kids with a "did you know ...?" tone in your voice and they will listen, instead of stonewalling. I bet this will work pretty well with most little ones 5 and up.

This is a great approach, for when you have the opportunity to do so without seeming creepy. Bypass the parents and talk directly to the kids with a "did you know ...?" tone in your voice and they will listen, instead of stonewalling. I bet this will work pretty well with most little ones 5 and up.

I agree, and it would probably make enough of an impression that they would go on to educate the parents AND others.

That does sound like a grayt idea. You can talk to the kid while their parents are distracted digging the pool for them. Sorry, just a quick little visual I had. Love your siggy line jodiFL!

Love your siggy line jodiFL!

Thanks to all that have said this. Just wanting to cover my... as..uh.. bases.

This is a great approach, for when you have the opportunity to do so without seeming creepy. Bypass the parents and talk directly to the kids with a "did you know ...?" tone in your voice and they will listen, instead of stonewalling. I bet this will work pretty well with most little ones 5 and up.

I know some younger ones that this will work with as well.

My two small children picked up 3 bags of trash at Grayton Beach the other day. This week's guests certainly have been the messiest and most inconsiderate this spring break. Wonder if they would appreciate that title? It seems that they expect someone else to pick up after them while they are here. I would love to think that a campaign of some kind would raise awareness so that tourists helped to keep our beaches clean and beautiful, but I'm afraid all the work will continue to be done by locals who care.

I also have thought that a free/minimally priced exchange for beach toys would be a good idea. Do you think people would actually bring them back (maybe with a deposit)? Maybe we should work on getting one started. At least there would be a place to drop all the plastic junk that isn't quite ready for the dump. I would be happy to help.

I just found this post from last year and think this would be a good time to post it again...
SoWal Beaches Forum - View Single Post - Small Child buried in the sand!!!

I just found this post from last year and think this would be a good time to post it again...
SoWal Beaches Forum - View Single Post - Small Child buried in the sand!!!

• Doctors:16 deaths in sand holes or tunnels in U.S. 1990-2006
• In same period, 12 fatal shark attacks took place, says University of Florida
• Hole walls usually collapse, leaving almost no evidence of hole or victim location
• Victims mostly boys, 3 to 21 years; average age about 12

I just found this post from last year and think this would be a good time to post it again...
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showpost.php?p=267246&postcount=2

That's scary & enough to possibly shock people into thinking about what they are allowing or doing.

I've been in operation on the beach running the Ride On Surf School since 2004 and the problem at hand has gotten worse with each passing year. More people=more trash. Unfortunately the same laws, fines, rules etc. that were created way back when have not been updated to account for the enormous influx of tourists that have found South Walton to be their new drive-to vacation hot spot.

At the end of each day I comb the beach for litter and place it in the 1, yes 1 trash can available for the Pompano Joes beach access. Actually I am very lucky if I can get it in the can because it's usually overflowing by 11:00am. This is ridiculous! There are literally hundreds if not thousands of people in this area on any given day and with 1 fricken' trash can your gonna have a mess on your hands.

It all starts with us locals. Make an effort whenever possible to show you care. There have been several occasions where a group is walking away from a massive trash heap at there chosen spot and I'll walk right up to them and say "Forgetting something?" They just look at me like I'm crazy at first but once they catch on to what I'm referring to they embarrassingly apologize and get right to cleaning it up. We have to start the movement that will get things going in the right direction. More signage, heavier enforced fines, more trash cans and most importantly a local community that isn't going to put up with it any longer!!!!

-Matt

I wish we could find some way to teach young guests to respect the environment. I would love it if there was someway to reward youngsters for being good citizens of the Earth. My fantasy has always been to have an anti litter campaign where youngsters are rewarded for picking litter up off the beach. One bucket or bag of litter earns a snowcone. An accompanying adult could attest to the child's efforts. Or, a more random positive enforcement plan would be to post signs saying that those beach goers who help "tend the beach" could recieve a token from a beach monitor good for.....I don't know, what ever. Start the program by identifying those guests who demostrate respect for the beach and the word will get out fast.