Editor:

I read with interest Bevan Davies letter regarding activities at Goose Rocks Beach(GRB) [“It used to be everyone’s beach,” Nov. 7, 2008]. His experience over the years parallels my own very closely. My family, especially my wife who died this past winter, have always thought of it a very special place. My wife always referred to it as her “Shangri-La.”

 We have been here at GRB for 40 years having had the good fortune of buying our house in 1972. We have lived here for 20 years full-time since I retired. We believe we have been good stewards of this place recognizing we are just passing through. It is our home and want people from away to respect this and they usually do. We pay dearly in property taxes for this opportunity (They are scheduled to double to approximately $15,000 in the next year).

The current proposal to increase parking fees is simply an attempt to control the volume of visitors. “Control” is the operative word. No one is using the word prohibit or prevent. There are numerous public access ways maintained by the town and Conservation Trust permitting people to reach the public area of the beach. There are private access ways controlled by the private property owner. These latter accesses function in the same manner and governed by the same law as if they existed in Kennebunk or in the woods in more remote areas of Maine.

Recognizing the impact that the major growth in population is having with regard to people trying to access private areas for recreation throughout the state the governor has established a position of landowner relations in his administration in Augusta. It is primarily aimed at resolving disputes regarding access in the Maine woods it also has a role to play along the coast.

Mr. Davies’ suggestion regarding additional parking with jitney service will only add to damaging the infrastructure and natural ambiance of the beach. Attempts to add to the exploitation of this very special natural resource, even those that were well-intended, were rejected by the voters in town-wide referendum. When you consider the impact of a major increase in visitors will have on the beach where the police have a policy of not arresting or issuing summons to persons violating the Maine law governing the use of the inter-tidal zone the future of a family beach is certainly in question.

 Once the “Genie is out of the bottle” we will never be able to restore the conditions that make this such special place. Visitors in the past were very sensitive to the rights of private property owners in the same manner they were in their own home communities. But the shear numbers is overwhelming and the “education” that took place in prior times is not happening.

 I did find it upsetting that Mr. Davies had to resort to name-calling.

However, in the spirit of good fellowship I would like to invite Mr. Davies and his family to come to GRB some day next summer and park at my house and use the beach in front of my house with my permission. The only thing I would ask is he call me in advance so I can be here to welcome him.

W. Parker Dwelley

Kennebunkport