You're welcome! I'm glad you appreciate the conversation. Let's keep discussing and finding ways to address this complex issue together. What are your thoughts on balancing private property rights with public access?
I think people are still allowed to walk by but not setup camp. If I purchased a house with the documentation that I "owned" the beach up to the water line I'd probably want it private also. Not sure how this is handled elsewhere in Florida?
You raise a good point about the balance between property rights and public access. Indeed, the ability to walk along the beach while not setting up camp could be a reasonable middle ground, respecting the privacy of property owners while still allowing for some public enjoyment. In many parts of Florida, the law generally holds that the wet sand area, below the mean high water line, is public, but the dry sand can indeed be private if it's part of deeded property, as you mentioned. In places like Walton County, the situation has become contentious due to the historical practice of customary use, which allowed public access to certain private beaches based on long-standing tradition. However, recent legal actions have shifted this dynamic, making it more about property rights. Your perspective as a potential property owner is valuable. It's interesting to consider how these issues are managed in different parts of Florida. For instance, in areas like Miami Beach, where the beachfront is predominantly public, there's less of this private-public conflict. However, in places with significant private ownership, like parts of the Panhandle, the situation can mirror what's happening in Walton County. How do you think this balance should be approached in areas where the beachfront is predominantly private? Should there be a standard policy across Florida, or should local customs and property deeds dictate the terms?
All beaches should be public as they have been for decades before I was born! Seagrove Beach isn't experiencing the level of discrimination that beaches to our West are. Dune Allen and Blue Mountain seem to be having the most problems. I am not certain of what really goes on throughout all of 30-A. I just know what I have read from local news, local news broadcasts, and what I have seen on a couple of Instagram pages that are defending the public vs. private saga. It is a saga! Smh. I hope y'all are doing well!
You said it yourself - Property Owners. The beach behind those homes are deeded property. For many years property owners did not say much when people came unknowingly came into their property. Over the years people have become disrespectful and leave trash and a mess on the beach. Property owners have to clean up that mess. Owners have become fed up with cleaning up after people who should not be on their property. It is like someone coming into your backyard to party and leaving a mess. On old 98 Miramar Beach area, communities own the beaches, owners of the property in the community own a portion of the beach. Those owners pay for beach service and the beach service cleans up the beach, as well as the chair service. The areas where Walton County has purchased beach land, they have set up public beach areas. Owners who own beach front property have paid for that property and pay property taxes on that property. That is their property. They have property rights by law, just as any other property owner. Would you think of going into someone's backyard that you don't know and hanging out, then leaving a mess. Well that is what people are doing and owners are getting fed up. FYI - I am a owner in Walton County and because I am a realtor I understand property right laws. Property owners have shown their property deeds in court.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, especially given your firsthand experience as a property owner in Walton County. You make a compelling point about property rights and the responsibilities that come with property ownership, including the cleanup of litter left by non-owners. It's understandable that property owners would become frustrated with the disrespect shown towards their private spaces. Your comparison to someone entering a private backyard is an interesting analogy, highlighting the personal aspect of property ownership. However, beaches have historically been viewed differently from backyards due to their natural, recreational appeal and the long-standing tradition of public access known as customary use. It's interesting to learn about the community-owned beaches in Miramar Beach and how those are managed. Also, the distinction you make between areas where Walton County has purchased land for public use and private property is crucial for understanding the current landscape. While property rights are indeed protected by law, the debate often centers around how these rights intersect with public interest, especially in places like beaches which have been communal spaces for generations. Perhaps a solution could involve better education on respecting private property while also ensuring there are ample public beach areas maintained by local authorities. What do you think about implementing stricter regulations on public behavior on beaches or perhaps a system where public access is more clearly defined to prevent misunderstandings and littering?
Thanks for your comment! Your idea of a compromise where the beach space closest to homes is private, and the area nearest the Gulf remains public, is an interesting approach. It tries to balance property rights with public access, which is at the heart of this debate. However, one challenge with this could be defining where 'closest to a home' ends and 'nearest the Gulf' begins, especially given the natural shifts in beach landscapes due to erosion and tides. Also, how do we ensure that this doesn't lead to a patchwork of access that might confuse visitors or diminish the overall public beach experience? What are your thoughts on how this could be practically implemented while still preserving the communal aspect of beach enjoyment?
@@30AMisfits I should clarify by admitting that I don't think there's a good/satisfying solution. I understand the concept of shifting sands, but would that negate surveyors' markers? Should the homeowners' properties be an expressed number of square feet that would be the rubric for determining "boundaries"? Should the homeowner use the portable/movable fences to block off their piece of the beach? I don't think a patchwork of ingress/access would form. X feet from the water is the homeowners' piece of beach. Make it standard. Put up removable fences. Neither the public nor the rich homeowners will be completely satisfied. They shouldn't expect to be. ~Julia B. in S. Venice who hopes to be as close to 30A as possible before I croak.
Glad you are back!
Thank you for starting the conversation.
You're welcome! I'm glad you appreciate the conversation. Let's keep discussing and finding ways to address this complex issue together. What are your thoughts on balancing private property rights with public access?
I think people are still allowed to walk by but not setup camp. If I purchased a house with the documentation that I "owned" the beach up to the water line I'd probably want it private also. Not sure how this is handled elsewhere in Florida?
You raise a good point about the balance between property rights and public access. Indeed, the ability to walk along the beach while not setting up camp could be a reasonable middle ground, respecting the privacy of property owners while still allowing for some public enjoyment. In many parts of Florida, the law generally holds that the wet sand area, below the mean high water line, is public, but the dry sand can indeed be private if it's part of deeded property, as you mentioned.
In places like Walton County, the situation has become contentious due to the historical practice of customary use, which allowed public access to certain private beaches based on long-standing tradition. However, recent legal actions have shifted this dynamic, making it more about property rights.
Your perspective as a potential property owner is valuable. It's interesting to consider how these issues are managed in different parts of Florida. For instance, in areas like Miami Beach, where the beachfront is predominantly public, there's less of this private-public conflict. However, in places with significant private ownership, like parts of the Panhandle, the situation can mirror what's happening in Walton County.
How do you think this balance should be approached in areas where the beachfront is predominantly private? Should there be a standard policy across Florida, or should local customs and property deeds dictate the terms?
All beaches should be public as they have been for decades before I was born! Seagrove Beach isn't experiencing the level of discrimination that beaches to our West are. Dune Allen and Blue Mountain seem to be having the most problems. I am not certain of what really goes on throughout all of 30-A. I just know what I have read from local news, local news broadcasts, and what I have seen on a couple of Instagram pages that are defending the public vs. private saga. It is a saga! Smh.
I hope y'all are doing well!
You said it yourself - Property Owners.
The beach behind those homes are deeded property. For many years property owners did not say much when people came unknowingly came into their property. Over the years people have become disrespectful and leave trash and a mess on the beach. Property owners have to clean up that mess. Owners have become fed up with cleaning up after people who should not be on their property. It is like someone coming into your backyard to party and leaving a mess. On old 98 Miramar Beach area, communities own the beaches, owners of the property in the community own a portion of the beach. Those owners pay for beach service and the beach service cleans up the beach, as well as the chair service.
The areas where Walton County has purchased beach land, they have set up public beach areas.
Owners who own beach front property have paid for that property and pay property taxes on that property. That is their property. They have property rights by law, just as any other property owner. Would you think of going into someone's backyard that you don't know and hanging out, then leaving a mess. Well that is what people are doing and owners are getting fed up. FYI - I am a owner in Walton County and because I am a realtor I understand property right laws. Property owners have shown their property deeds in court.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, especially given your firsthand experience as a property owner in Walton County. You make a compelling point about property rights and the responsibilities that come with property ownership, including the cleanup of litter left by non-owners. It's understandable that property owners would become frustrated with the disrespect shown towards their private spaces.
Your comparison to someone entering a private backyard is an interesting analogy, highlighting the personal aspect of property ownership. However, beaches have historically been viewed differently from backyards due to their natural, recreational appeal and the long-standing tradition of public access known as customary use.
It's interesting to learn about the community-owned beaches in Miramar Beach and how those are managed. Also, the distinction you make between areas where Walton County has purchased land for public use and private property is crucial for understanding the current landscape.
While property rights are indeed protected by law, the debate often centers around how these rights intersect with public interest, especially in places like beaches which have been communal spaces for generations. Perhaps a solution could involve better education on respecting private property while also ensuring there are ample public beach areas maintained by local authorities. What do you think about implementing stricter regulations on public behavior on beaches or perhaps a system where public access is more clearly defined to prevent misunderstandings and littering?
I find that many times when people go on vacation, so does their common sense. Even though signs are posted, they seem to be not read.
Compromise. The beach space closest to a home should be private, but the land nearest the Gulf s/b public.
Thanks for your comment! Your idea of a compromise where the beach space closest to homes is private, and the area nearest the Gulf remains public, is an interesting approach. It tries to balance property rights with public access, which is at the heart of this debate. However, one challenge with this could be defining where 'closest to a home' ends and 'nearest the Gulf' begins, especially given the natural shifts in beach landscapes due to erosion and tides. Also, how do we ensure that this doesn't lead to a patchwork of access that might confuse visitors or diminish the overall public beach experience? What are your thoughts on how this could be practically implemented while still preserving the communal aspect of beach enjoyment?
@@30AMisfits I should clarify by admitting that I don't think there's a good/satisfying solution. I understand the concept of shifting sands, but would that negate surveyors' markers? Should the homeowners' properties be an expressed number of square feet that would be the rubric for determining "boundaries"? Should the homeowner use the portable/movable fences to block off their piece of the beach? I don't think a patchwork of ingress/access would form. X feet from the water is the homeowners' piece of beach. Make it standard. Put up removable fences. Neither the public nor the rich homeowners will be completely satisfied. They shouldn't expect to be. ~Julia B. in S. Venice who hopes to be as close to 30A as possible before I croak.