While paying a visit to the Times Beach Nature Preserve at the Outer Harbor yesterday, I wandered over to the clearing where the ice boom was formerly kept when not on out the lake. There's a metal fence that separates the two destinations that really does not serve a purpose anymore, though the obstacle ends further towards the water's edge so that you can get back and forth pretty easily by climbing up and down some boulders. What you will find when you visit the site is a vast pebble clearing where the ice boom once sat, another smaller sandy beach, and castaway architectural building elements reminiscent of a set from the movie Planet of the Apes.
As I walked further along the waterline I came to another elevated clearing where I found a newly constructed wood pier overlooking a slip. The sign on the small pier had been posted by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. Apparently the pier had been built strictly for fishing purposes, but it wasn't clear who was allowed to fish there since the first item posted read, "Parking on the site limited to vehicles of permit holder members only." Of course there were no cars to be found anywhere, so naturally there was nobody fishing. The cars were all on the other side of the slip - that area had not been gated off yet and a number of fishermen were casting over the edge. As you can see (below), the sign points out that the area is gated off at all times, and permit holders are allowed access... it's not exactly clear if the permit is for fishing, or if it's another type of permit.
I would think that until there was some sort of development taking place on properties such as this, anyone would be allowed to walk out the water's edge (limited car access please, as there is plenty of parking along the road) and fish (with a fishing permit of course). There's nothing to abuse, and there are no dangerous obstacles... people should be allowed to explore these areas, drop a line, walk along the pebbled waterfront, sit on the sandy beach, etc. Take down the fences, don't limit who can go there, clear some trails and a post a sign stating what is happening at this section of the Outer Harbor - now and in the future.
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As I walked further along the waterline I came to another elevated clearing where I found a newly constructed wood pier overlooking a slip. The sign on the small pier had been posted by the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. Apparently the pier had been built strictly for fishing purposes, but it wasn't clear who was allowed to fish there since the first item posted read, "Parking on the site limited to vehicles of permit holder members only." Of course there were no cars to be found anywhere, so naturally there was nobody fishing. The cars were all on the other side of the slip - that area had not been gated off yet and a number of fishermen were casting over the edge. As you can see (below), the sign points out that the area is gated off at all times, and permit holders are allowed access... it's not exactly clear if the permit is for fishing, or if it's another type of permit.
I would think that until there was some sort of development taking place on properties such as this, anyone would be allowed to walk out the water's edge (limited car access please, as there is plenty of parking along the road) and fish (with a fishing permit of course). There's nothing to abuse, and there are no dangerous obstacles... people should be allowed to explore these areas, drop a line, walk along the pebbled waterfront, sit on the sandy beach, etc. Take down the fences, don't limit who can go there, clear some trails and a post a sign stating what is happening at this section of the Outer Harbor - now and in the future.
Great ideas, Newell. Right behind ya on this one!
I have rakes!!!