Park officials have opened a hidden gate to Mother's Lap Beach known to some locals, but kept the main entrance by the new bathhouse closed. Is this really public access?
Every one is supposed to have easy access, not hidden access. This is very dishonest and disappointing. Thank you for digging into this. Locals have enjoyed the beach walk in off seasons forever. Once Covid hit, they used it as an excuse to restrict access to our parks which was ridiculous. Now it’s a fight to return things to normal. That shouldn’t be the case and this is why people don’t believe or trust the government.
There's only space for about 5 cars over by the tiny open gate. Why don't they just remove the fencing and position it around the beach house if vandalism is a concern? What about this makes sense? It inconveniences people and disrupts wildlife migration as well. The swallows used to swoop all over that beach. Deer wander. It was open space for generations. I do not understand their justifications for making it a no man's land. I worry that this tiny access point is going to be overwhelmed, and they will use the traffic issues that ensue to justify closing it off again.
You have to wonder. Nothing articulated thus far makes sense. It certainly isn't social distancing anymore... I'm sure they will let in throngs who pay to swim. And they are a heck of a lot more likely to be within 6 feet or whatever of each other than folks strolling peacefully and enjoying nature. So why not let people walk on the beach?
Some access is better than no access, but still kind of deceiving. I always use the “hidden” entrance, but I see the dilemma about the other ones for those who park at the main lot.
It’s surprising how strict they have gotten there and I’m not really sure why. Pre-Covid, you could watch the full sunset in the summer and not get harassed. Now they start kicking people out before 8 and therefore miss the best part.
Interesting you care so deeply about public access even after entry is provided when The Village of Croton is one of the municipalities in Westchester that has almost all their managed parks as residents only.
Every one is supposed to have easy access, not hidden access. This is very dishonest and disappointing. Thank you for digging into this. Locals have enjoyed the beach walk in off seasons forever. Once Covid hit, they used it as an excuse to restrict access to our parks which was ridiculous. Now it’s a fight to return things to normal. That shouldn’t be the case and this is why people don’t believe or trust the government.
There's only space for about 5 cars over by the tiny open gate. Why don't they just remove the fencing and position it around the beach house if vandalism is a concern? What about this makes sense? It inconveniences people and disrupts wildlife migration as well. The swallows used to swoop all over that beach. Deer wander. It was open space for generations. I do not understand their justifications for making it a no man's land. I worry that this tiny access point is going to be overwhelmed, and they will use the traffic issues that ensue to justify closing it off again.
There is something going on here that we don't know about, unless the county is run by control freaks.
You have to wonder. Nothing articulated thus far makes sense. It certainly isn't social distancing anymore... I'm sure they will let in throngs who pay to swim. And they are a heck of a lot more likely to be within 6 feet or whatever of each other than folks strolling peacefully and enjoying nature. So why not let people walk on the beach?
The maximum on the beach, according to the sign, is 800 people. That is a lot.
Some access is better than no access, but still kind of deceiving. I always use the “hidden” entrance, but I see the dilemma about the other ones for those who park at the main lot.
It’s surprising how strict they have gotten there and I’m not really sure why. Pre-Covid, you could watch the full sunset in the summer and not get harassed. Now they start kicking people out before 8 and therefore miss the best part.
Interesting you care so deeply about public access even after entry is provided when The Village of Croton is one of the municipalities in Westchester that has almost all their managed parks as residents only.