And it was a long time coming. And the blocking of this access should have never happened.
Nevertheless--it did happen.
But now it is changing, and a huge portion---HUGE--- is now liberated from the "no trespassing" signs.
As it should have always been since 1957 (and was when I used to frequent these beaches in the 1980s)-a large swath of beach in Perdido Key is being opened up for the public's use. It is being liberated from the "no trespassing signs"
The county on Monday sent out letters and maps to the owners of the various properties within 64 parcels on Perdido Key where we all now know there exists a perpetual easement for public beach access.
Huge week and huge day for public access of the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico in Perdido Key in Escambia County's District 1.
See the letter(below)----and the accompanying map (above) which was sent to hundreds of residents in Perdido Key this week, below....
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That's a start.
ReplyDeleteI belive you could also write a customery uses ordinance for the entire key for public use.
OMG...stepped off advocacy for a bit to deal with some family health issues. But had to do a quick
ReplyDelete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BERGOSH!!!!!!!
THANK YOU MICHAEL MCCORMACK!!!!!!
Amazing!!!!!!!
Next up--I will bring an action item to the next board meeting for the purchase of two lifeguard stands from my D1 discretionary LOST funds and I will ask staff to formulate a plan to post a cadre of lifeguards at access #2 and #3 where we have existing parking facilities and where now, apparently, there will be large swaths of sandy beach accessible/usable by the public. We will work with property/condo owners on a plan to move between the access points with at least one lifeguard vehicle. This is for safety---we don't want any more tragic drownings out there if there is a way to prevent such loss of life. So yes, a HUGE win for public access---but an even BIGGER bolstering of public safety's presence on Perdido Key. Oh, and we are also working on more parking out there for the public's use of these newly opened beaches as well as the soon to be completed mile's long multi use path. Exciting changes, upgrades coming to D1 Perdido Key. All big wins.
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DeleteIs it possible to require all guests to be given information and diagrams about rip currents, and our flag definitions along with any other important information concerning the beach, PRIOR to their arrival, as they read most everything about their vacation before they get here, but once here, most just can't wait to get to the beach and don't pay attention to anything. I really think this information should be mandatory prior to their arrival and they should have to return a copy of it signed before they get here, acknowledging that they have read and understand the dangers of the Gulf. Please consider making this happen.
DeleteThank you.
Smartest way to unroll it, to get the Public Safety hammered out in an early opened portion.
ReplyDeleteOnce that's in place, then the final step will be to open the entire beach to the public. Because, ya know,
It. Has. All. Been. Nourished. :)
I agree, this is a huge win. I look forward to the day we have more parking and better PUBLIC access.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michael McCormack for getting the ball rolling and thank you Commissioner, for making this a priority.
Why can’t the state park be expanded and improved - logical place to add more access. When will the “closed” state park area be reopened. The opened state park is rarely full.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't the county provide the surf report daily via text message like Destin and Orange Beach? I get it daily from Baldwin County.
ReplyDeleteJohnsons Beach Road used to be so nice with the lettered wooden walk overs to the beach. We had company that paid $25 this week for a week pass to access Johnsons Beach. Last that I bought a yearly pass, it was $80. With all the money being made to get on Johnsons beach, are there plans to rebuild these walk overs for folks to be able to park along that road and go to the beach again?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Commissioner, did you ever receive a copy of the Boardwalk Agreement between Sandy Key and Grand Caribbean? The BCC approved/signed it in 2009.
ReplyDeleteAlice Hurst Neal--Yes, I have a copy of it. And the previous agreement as well. The issue is that agreement goes into great detail about the boardwalk, construction, maintenance, etc. --- but it is silent on what Grand Caribbean visitors/tenants get in return for the investment for the boardwalk (e.g. it does not speak to usage rights, access agreement, or easement for the use of the sandy beach portion of Sandy Key's property in exchange for the construction of the boardwalk) So, essentially, from the documentation I have been sent and read---this just allows for Grand Caribbean folks to get to the beach at which point they can only go in the wet sand portions of the beach. So I'm still kind of scratching my head on why that deal was done that way.........
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