Took a little spin on LBI this week for a story that will be on line this week and in the Sunday paper. Once again, I was, um, charmed to see how much of LBI is off limits to schlubs like myself. So many paths to the beach, so many marked private, including ones that lead to driveways for several homes, not just one. This has been a dispute between LBI and the feds over beach funds for years. Was supposed to get better. Meanwhile, here's a little guide to those fun signs that basically say, Keep Out Schlub. The irony is, when I finally found my way onto the beach, the true access problem emerged: The steep cliffs you must climb down to actually get down to the little sliver of beach still left. Mother Nature may yet have the last laugh. But once you're there, it's definitely the loveliest strip of shore in Jersey, imho.
All of these so-called private lanes lead directly to the so-called public beach.
1. These guys want privacy, but they are proud to tell you who they are:
2. Aww. Cute little feet. Can't we come too?
3. Nice sign. The owners actually drove by me while I was taking this picture and offered to make me a similar sign. They did not offer to let me walk to the beach on the lane, though. Rats!
Thank you for showing us what the sunrise looks like on the beach we can't get to!
Tranquility? Without us?
Et tu Mickey? The beach is the other way!
Comments (3)
Thanks for posting these -- I will now make it a point to walk down each and every one of these bogus 'private' lanes. Love how they don't want joe public to be at the beach but they want joe public's (NJ and federal) tax dollars to maintain "their" beach AND bail them out for hurricane damage. These are bulls-eyes for 'abuse' by the unwashed/non-landowners all summer! Here we come --- wheee!
Posted by maude | June 5, 2008 2:41 PM
Posted on June 5, 2008 14:41
Excellent article which points out the issue of ownership, access and federal lands. Some points:
1. I can envision the owners arguing...we aren't denying you the beach, just access to the beach.
2. How would the owners feel if suddenly the Federal Gov't banned access (like they have done in certain grazing areas to ranchers adn loggers). You'd have a hous eon te beach and be denied the beach much like thos who currently are denied access.
3. The Federal Gov't is right to deny federal funds to projects that benefit only a few (to me it doesn't matter if they are wealthy...it is a univeral mandate to all in my mind...just don't ask me to define a "few".
4. But who can fix this? LBI very easily can. here's how.
A. buy property to create open access.
B. Build a "town beach". Staff it with lifeguards reduce lifeguards at non- town beaches
C. Provide property tax relief for those who allow or have easements and conversely raise property taxes for those who don't
D. This is the easiest..Change the building code that all renovations to new and existing structures must have beach access. The next Nor'easter comes in..houses need repairs..deny the permits util the code is complie with. Sur you'll have some hold outs and some old houses but eventually you'll get what you want
Posted by Bone | June 9, 2008 9:49 AM
Posted on June 9, 2008 09:49
This is awesome and hilarious. Good post.
Posted by BelmarBenny | June 13, 2008 12:23 PM
Posted on June 13, 2008 12:23