Ramsgate beach access

[nancy jean]

Does anyone know if the Summer's Edge/Ramsgate access is completed? I have some friends who would like to stay at my home on the 27th for a few days and I am really hoping that it's open by now. I was there a week ago and the posts were in the sand but no decking yet :idontno: Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Wastin Away]

I was there this weekend and it was still just posts. It looked like some lumber had been delivered but that was it.

[Mermaid]

We stayed at a cottage this summer near Summer's Edge and of course the beach access was destroyed. We had to use the public access at the end of the street. It really wasn't any trouble, though. We didn't mind. (Just in case that lumber doesn't turn into an access by the time your guests arrive. :razz: )

[kurt]

I was there this weekend and it was still just posts. It looked like some lumber had been delivered but that was it.

Same today.

FYI - the water is as clear today as it ever gets. ;-)

[Wastin Away]

Same today.

FYI - the water is as clear today as it ever gets. ;-)

I told my husband this weekend that the water was beautiful and the beaches in that area looked great. I was very impressed. We have not been down since the first of July so I did not know what to expect. Now all we need is for the county to hurry and get the access finished. I thought the access was suppose to be done by mid-October, although walking to the other access is not bad at all.

[wetwilly]

We stayed at a cottage this summer near Summer's Edge and of course the beach access was destroyed. We had to use the public access at the end of the street. It really wasn't any trouble, though. We didn't mind. (Just in case that lumber doesn't turn into an access by the time your guests arrive. :razz: )

I pretty sure that the Ramsgate access is a county access? It is on the list that was put out by the county. The Eastern Lake access is a public county access. If Ramsgate is a public county access, then the county is planning to rebuild it once the season is over. The Eastern Lake access has been improved since Dennis and is a great access to get to the Lake and the Gulf. Kurt has some great pictures of it in his members section and on my Virtual Tour. :clap_1:

[STL Don]

I pretty sure that the Ramsgate access is a county access? It is on the list that was put out by the county. The Eastern Lake access is a public county access. If Ramsgate is a public county access, then the county is planning to rebuild it once the season is over. The Eastern Lake access has been improved since Dennis and is a great access to get to the Lake and the Gulf. Kurt has some great pictures of it in his members section and on my Virtual Tour. :clap_1:
Besides the Eastern Lake access, there is another access immediately west of Summers Edge off Eastern Lake Road. :biggrin:

[nancy jean]

Thanks everybody! When I was there I used both the Eastern Lake access and the one to the west of Ryan Street. The kids love to be near Eastern Lake and the beach was sooooooo beautiful! I guess we'll just have to put up with a little inconvenience for awhile longer, the clear water and white sand are worth the walk. Hopefully my guests will feel the same :D

[tivoli]

Does anyone know if the Summer's Edge/Ramsgate access is completed? I have some friends who would like to stay at my home on the 27th for a few days and I am really hoping that it's open by now. I was there a week ago and the posts were in the sand but no decking yet :idontno: Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
The Summer's Edge/Ramsgate access is not available as of today.
We are staying in Summer's Edge and the posts are still there w/o
beach access.

[Wastin Away]

The Summer's Edge/Ramsgate access is not available as of today.
We are staying in Summer's Edge and the posts are still there w/o
beach access.


What home are you staying in?

[Beach Runner]

Besides the Eastern Lake access, there is another access immediately west of Summers Edge off Eastern Lake Road. :biggrin:
The beach side of the access that I think you're referring to says it's private. That means it's only for people staying in that particular neighborhood, not every neighborhood on Eastern Lake Road.

Our neighborhood has spent tens of thousands of dollars on building and rebuilding our own private access within the past year. If I see anyone that doesn't belong on it, I make sure that they are guests of or are renting in our neighborhood. I hate to be rude, but if the other neighborhoods want to have accesses available for their guests/renters, they can build their own. Not to mention the extra cars parked which block the road.

That's what public accesses are for. If I were a renter, I'd make sure that an access was available for the neighborhood in which I'm staying, or I'd rent elsewhere. Being annoyed at the lack of public accesses is not an excuse for trespassing on private property.

[STL Don]

The beach side of the access that I think you're referring to says it's private. That means it's only for people staying in that particular neighborhood, not every neighborhood on Eastern Lake Road.

Our neighborhood has spent tens of thousands of dollars on building and rebuilding our own private access within the past year. If I see anyone that doesn't belong on it, I make sure that they are guests of or are renting in our neighborhood. I hate to be rude, but if the other neighborhoods want to have accesses available for their guests/renters, they can build their own. Not to mention the extra cars parked which block the road.

That's what public accesses are for. If I were a renter, I'd make sure that an access was available for the neighborhood in which I'm staying, or I'd rent elsewhere. Being annoyed at the lack of public accesses is not an excuse for trespassing on private property.
Good to see that you are back to your old form. :(

[Mermaid]

Thanks everybody! When I was there I used both the Eastern Lake access and the one to the west of Ryan Street. The kids love to be near Eastern Lake and the beach was sooooooo beautiful! I guess we'll just have to put up with a little inconvenience for awhile longer, the clear water and white sand are worth the walk. Hopefully my guests will feel the same :D

That's the access I'm talking about, at the edge of the lake. It's very nicely done and the county had the steps rebuilt within seven days of the hurricane in July.

I have a confession to make, Beach Runner. I regularly tresspass on the access at the Palms of Seagrove because our deeded access hasn't been repaired yet and there's no other way down to the beach. :eek: So far no one has yelled at me. :cool:

[Beach Runner]

Good to see that you are back to your old form. :(
Please. Don't go there. I don't have a problem with offering my house gratis to Katrina evacuees (which I've done), and I don't have a problem with offering our access to the neighborhood next door (because they've done us favors), but I don't want to pay for beach access to renters from other neighborhoods in order to allow the owners of those rental properties to profit from those rentals due to our investments in our access. It's just not fair. Plain and simple. We rebuilt ours so that we and our rental guests could access the beach without driving. If a given neighborhood wants to have that convenience, they can invest as we have.

[nancy jean]

The access which we can currently use is not posted as private. The private access is about 10-20 feet east of the one we have used.

[Beach Runner]

The access which we can currently use is not posted as private. The private access is about 10-20 feet east of the one we have used.
But is it a public access or an access for the neighborhood in which you own or rent? If not, you are trespassing.

[kurt]

Many places have relaxed and shared with their neighbors.

[nancy jean]

I beg to differ on the trespassing issue. The access for the neighborhood in which I own is public (to be built by the county) and has not yet been rebuilt. I don't know if the access is public or private, but it is NOT posted private. How/why would you want to stop people from accessing the beach on a path that appears to be public? It's a gravel path, is not near any homes, leads to a set of stairs, and I've been told it is available to be used until our access is rebuilt.

[Beach Runner]

Many places have relaxed and shared with their neighbors.
Yes, but that should be done with consent, as we've done for some of our neighbors on request, not just random people showing up and potentially blocking all of the parking on our street, causing a parking problem for our own guests/renters, not to mention the higher density of beach stuff (and lack of privacy for which we've paid dearly) on our part of the beach.

And Katrina was, like, 2 months ago. Why should the 'hoods with the accesses be the Mommas of the 'hoods that haven't paid for their own accesses? It's not like it's poor vs rich. We're all south of 30-A, so obviously we can all afford to pay our own way.

Of course, this is coming from someone who feels as though she has done her part (providing beach access for her guests/renters and offering her home gratis to many friends who have evacuated from NOLA), yet has had her insurance cancelled. Now THAT'S not fair. :bang::bang::bang::bang::bang:

No more on this subject. Slam me all you'd like. I'm outta here. You know you'd feel the same if you were in my position. And accessing private property is trespassing. You know it. If there's a law that says that an access is public if a private sign isn't hung, we'll get that mutha up fast!

In case you can't tell, I'm in a bad mood, and I won't go into it. Please forgive me. But I'm still right about this issue.

[Wastin Away]

Yes, but that should be done with consent, as we've done for some of our neighbors on request, not just random people showing up and potentially blocking all of the parking on our street, causing a parking problem for our own guests/renters, not to mention the higher density of beach stuff (and lack of privacy for which we've paid dearly) on our part of the beach.

And Katrina was, like, 2 months ago. Why should the 'hoods with the accesses be the Mommas of the 'hoods that haven't paid for their own accesses? It's not like it's poor vs rich. We're all south of 30-A, so obviously we can all afford to pay our own way.

Of course, this is coming from someone who feels as though she has done her part (providing beach access for her guests/renters and offering her home gratis to many friends who have evacuated from NOLA), yet has had her insurance cancelled. Now THAT'S not fair. :bang::bang::bang::bang::bang:

No more on this subject. Slam me all you'd like. I'm outta here. You know you'd feel the same if you were in my position. And accessing private property is trespassing. You know it. If there's a law that says that an access is public if a private sign isn't hung, we'll get that mutha up fast!

In case you can't tell, I'm in a bad mood, and I won't go into it. Please forgive me. But I'm still right about this issue.

I am an owner of a home in which the accesses are up for discussion. One of the accesses in which you refer to as private is in a neighborhood that currently has no homes. Some of the owners of the lots in that neighborhood own homes in our neighborhood and have been gracious enough to extend the right to use that access. As Kurt says, under the circumstances everyone is trying to work together . Our neighborhood association tried to get the county to let us build the access back ourselves and they would not allow that so we are having to wait on them. If we could we would have the access repaired, at our expense, in order to provide a way to get to the beach, but until they get there to complete it I don't have a problem with someone using an access temporarily. I, too, have done my part and have had NO guests stay at no charge and I have done my best to make their stay as good as it could be. And if that means I send them to another access then I would hope those So. Walton residents would understand. Some of us have no chose to rebuild or not, we are just thankful we have a home and we have a beach and I too had my insurance cancelled but it could be worse.

[aquaticbiology]

The access which we can currently use is not posted as private. The private access is about 10-20 feet east of the one we have used.

Good God! Its 20 whole freaking feet away! I'll never make it! Water, I must see Water! Oooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! :twisted:

SIA! (sorry in advance - but I just had to do it!)

[Rita]

Good God! Its 20 whole freaking feet away! I'll never make it! Water, I must see Water! Oooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! :twisted:

SIA! (sorry in advance - but I just had to do it!)

AB, Go back and read NJ's posts in this thread. You're reading one out of context and I don't think she means anything like you are suggesting. Check again. ;-)

[nancy jean]

Thanks Rita, I'm just not getting the sarcasm here. You are correct, I did walk the extra 20 feet. And did not use the access posted as private. What's the big deal? I started this with an innocent question and didn't expect the anger as a response by some posters. Seems to me that there is something going on regarding sharing access that I am not aware of. I'll be happy when my access is rebuilt, by the county, since that is our only option.

[Miss Kitty]

Thanks Rita, I'm just not getting the sarcasm here. You are correct, I did walk the extra 20 feet. And did not use the access posted as private. What's the big deal? I started this with an innocent question and didn't expect the anger as a response by some posters. Seems to me that there is something going on regarding sharing access that I am not aware of. I'll be happy when my access is rebuilt, by the county, since that is our only option.

I can no longer remain silent!!! (HA!) NJ...do not let the misguided postings of some stop you from asking simple questions! You will always find thoughtful and helpful people on this board.

As to "private" boardwalks and "private" beaches...I need some info. I have only stayed at Seaside before buying here in WC, so have no experience. I will probably understand better after I visit gttbm. Are some of these boardwalks easily accessible to the public? Are they marked with signs? Do any of them remained locked, to be opened only by owners? My opinion is that when so many have been displaced from their points of entry after storms and have to wait for the county to rebuild...Open your hearts and your boardwalks to any and all that are just trying to enjoy what we all love...the beach! Do gulf front property owners really go bananas when us peons walk across their "beach"? I still have a lot to learn!!!

[Wu]

Good God! Its 20 whole freaking feet away! I'll never make it! Water, I must see Water! Oooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! :twisted:

SIA! (sorry in advance - but I just had to do it!)

He who is *sshole, then apologizes, is an apologetic *sshole. :biggrin:

[Suncat]

I can no longer remain silent!!! (HA!) NJ...do not let the misguided postings of some stop you from asking simple questions! You will always find thoughtful and helpful people on this board.

As to "private" boardwalks and "private" beaches...I need some info. I have only stayed at Seaside before buying here in WC, so have no experience. I will probably understand better after I visit gttbm. Are some of these boardwalks easily accessible to the public? Are they marked with signs? Do any of them remained locked, to be opened only by owners? My opinion is that when so many have been displaced from their points of entry after storms and have to wait for the county to rebuild...Open your hearts and your boardwalks to any and all that are just trying to enjoy what we all love...the beach! Do gulf front property owners really go bananas when us peons walk across their "beach"? I still have a lot to learn!!!

I'm with you Sueshore. As a fellow peon, I have always been at Seaside and didn't realize such things existed. I will certainly be aware of it in my future visits and stay clear..being yelled at is no fun. Hope they get the signs and padlocks up.

[nancy jean]

I can no longer remain silent!!! (HA!) NJ...do not let the misguided postings of some stop you from asking simple questions! You will always find thoughtful and helpful people on this board.

As to "private" boardwalks and "private" beaches...I need some info. I have only stayed at Seaside before buying here in WC, so have no experience. I will probably understand better after I visit gttbm. Are some of these boardwalks easily accessible to the public? Are they marked with signs? Do any of them remained locked, to be opened only by owners? My opinion is that when so many have been displaced from their points of entry after storms and have to wait for the county to rebuild...Open your hearts and your boardwalks to any and all that are just trying to enjoy what we all love...the beach! Do gulf front property owners really go bananas when us peons walk across their "beach"? I still have a lot to learn!!!

Thanks for your kind words. I obviously don't know what is private unless it is marked as such. The one access that I know is private has a chain across the steps with a "private" sign hanging on it. I guess if I wanted to break someone's law I would duck under it and use it anyway. I don't. There is/has been an issue with gulf front property owners asking people not to sit on "their" beach. Chip "the beach chair guy" has been getting the brunt of that at the beach in front of Summer's Edge (a deeded access). He could only set up chairs/umbrellas where he hadn't had complaints from gulf front property owners, or directly in front of the access, being careful not to encroach on someone's private beach. This really needs to be resolved because I don't want guests, or friends, or my family having confrontations every time they try to visit the beach. I've heard that the lawyers have this issue now, though I don't know if this is just rumor.

[Mermaid]

Thanks for your kind words. I obviously don't know what is private unless it is marked as such. The one access that I know is private has a chain across the steps with a "private" sign hanging on it. I guess if I wanted to break someone's law I would duck under it and use it anyway. I don't. There is/has been an issue with gulf front property owners asking people not to sit on "their" beach. Chip "the beach chair guy" has been getting the brunt of that at the beach in front of Summer's Edge (a deeded access). He could only set up chairs/umbrellas where he hadn't had complaints from gulf front property owners, or directly in front of the access, being careful not to encroach on someone's private beach. This really needs to be resolved because I don't want guests, or friends, or my family having confrontations every time they try to visit the beach. I've heard that the lawyers have this issue now, though I don't know if this is just rumor.


NancyJean, I've learned something new today. I had no idea that ANY part of the beach could be considered private! Does this mean that if you own gulf-front that your property extends in front of your house all the way to the water line? Is that the way it works? Is this true?

[nancy jean]

NancyJean, I've learned something new today. I had no idea that ANY part of the beach could be considered private! Does this mean that if you own gulf-front that your property extends in front of your house all the way to the water line? Is that the way it works? Is this true?
I don't know if this is true. I just know that some of the gulf-front owners have tried to force the issue. Some do think that they own to the water line. I think that's why this has to be decided in court. I also don't know if their issue is with Chip trying to conduct his business in front of the homes, but I know he has really tried to honor their requests. I, for one, really like to be able to occasionally rent chairs/umbrellas rather than carry them to the beach, but it's difficult to do under the circumstances. I just hope this gets resolved soon. It just leads to hard feelings. :(

[Mermaid]

I hope the issue gets sorted out, too. Chip's a really nice guy. When we came down to the beach a week after July's hurricane and everything was still a mess, he got our beach chairs and umbrella set up for us, no problem. NOW that's good service. :clap_1:

BTW, before we moved to Indy, we lived in Marietta, in East Cobb. :razz:

[Beach Runner]

The only walkovers that are public are those listed at http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com/beach_access.asp (link found by searching the official Walton County website). Any other walkover is private (even if not labeled as such!). These walkovers were paid for by private individuals out of their own pockets, as opposed to tax dollars.

Just because there's no sign saying that a walkover is private doesn't mean that it's public. If you extend that logic, my pool is public because it doesn't have a private sign posted on it. My driveway is public because I have no private sign on it. Obviously they're not public.

That being said, we have been happy to extend privileges to our beach walkover to our neighbors who have requested it. We just don't want a kajillion people coming and using our walkover, blocking our driveways, crowding the beach in front of our houses. No, we don't own the beach, but the reason we paid a boatload of money for a house in a low-density, beachfront area was to have a beach with some privacy. If that had not been important to us, we could have saved a boatload of money and bought a condo, not to mention the stress of maintaining a residence out of state.

As far as who owns the beach, I don't know. If my memory serves me correctly (which often it doesn't), it seems like on another thread this was discussed.

BTW to my knowledge no one in our neighborhood has ever been rude to anyone using our beach walkover by mistake. We just wouldn't do that - we're nice people with good manners and would never be intentionally rude to someone who doesn't know the rules.

[pk305]

The latest from Brad Pickel is that RAMSGATE access is planned for completion by Thanksgiving.
Also, if someone could please post the actual rule (or law or whatever it is) regarding the so-called "private beach" behind a beachfront property....it would be greatly appreciated! Seems like I've read about this sort of thing down in Destin but the fact that this is occurring on the beach used by our neighborhood is news (disturbing) to me! Thanks.

[Snapper Grabber]

The beach is public up to the high water mark. In our case, that would be to the dunes, wouldn't it.


:clap_1:

[nancy jean]

I hope the issue gets sorted out, too. Chip's a really nice guy. When we came down to the beach a week after July's hurricane and everything was still a mess, he got our beach chairs and umbrella set up for us, no problem. NOW that's good service. :clap_1:

BTW, before we moved to Indy, we lived in Marietta, in East Cobb. :razz:

Really :shock: Me too....East Cobb

[aquaticbiology]

the attitude that people own the beach is what prompted the twits to sue to stop refurbishment as it would allow people to use their owned beach - no wonder their lawsuit didn't stand up in court - but the lawsuits did delay renourishment until the storms came and it didn't matter any more because the beach was gone away.

'the beach owns itself and will reward those who love and respect it and punish those who try in vain to own or control it' - me

time for my meds I suppose - then off again to work in a never ending grind of water and fish - hey, wait a minute - I :wub: this stuff! YEA! Time to go play some more. Actually, we're to the boring point where nature must take its course and we only have to monitor water quality, etc, while the little fishies grow up to be big fishies. Guess I'm a little bored but can't leave the farm to go to the beach and not try to own or control it.

[aquaticbiology]

wait another minute - if some homeowner does something to gain back more beach (like dumping truckloads of sand on top of their brand-new retaining wall), and that affects the current high water mark and thus lengthens 'their' portion of the beach, and then I walk across it when innocently walking down the beach, then that is tresspassing and if signs were posted I could be arrested? bah-humbug, it would be ice tea beach truck time! sea ya!

[TreeFrog]

I was down there today. It's finished.

[Beach Runner]

I was down there today. It's finished.
Woo-hoo!

[pk305]

FANTASTIC!!! Thanks for the update TF!!!