Mr. Tilley Speaks out.

CAROLINA BEACH | Dave Tilley loves almost everything about Carolina Beach’s proposed plan to manage the north end.

He doesn’t have a problem with the town charging a fee for people to drive on the beach, and he doesn’t mind the extra patrols by police officers. He really likes the idea of having portable bathrooms right on the beach as well as a designated area for trash.

What he isn’t so sure about, however, is how the town will collect the daily fee and why one part of the north end will be blocked off.

The north end for years has been a popular spot for thousands of people who turn out on summer weekends to fish, camp and hang out. The overall intent of the management plan is to protect the environment and public interest while allowing 24-hour vehicular access to the beach.

The management plan, which a committee has decided to send to the Town Council for approval, calls for a representative from the town’s parking company to meet motorists before they drive out on the sand. Mr. Tilley’s concern is that the employee might intimidate beachgoers if that person seems like a security guard keeping an eye on them.

But Town Manager Calvin Peck said the idea is for the person to help visitors pay the $10 daily fee, which will be collected using a pay station like those used at parking lots in the town. The person also will hand drivers a pamphlet spelling out rules for the north end and answer any questions.

Mr. Tilley’s other concern is about where sand fencing will go along the north-end beach, now being called Freeman Park.

Mr. Peck said the fencing eventually will stretch about a mile, and access to a creek used by many fishermen will be prohibited. The proposed location of the fencing, he said, is meant to rebuild the dune line, which has been washed away in some areas and destroyed by vehicles in others.

Mr. Tilley, who likes to take his kids back to the creek, said he understands the reasoning but knows people won’t be happy.
Mr. Peck stressed that the town’s management plan may need revisions.

“This is only phase one,” he said. “It may not work.”

Mr. Tilley raised his concerns during a meeting Thursday night of the committee that has been helping the town draft a management plan. Mr. Tilley, who serves on the committee, said he was willing to give it a try. Other committee members also signed off on the proposal, which will be presented to the Town Council for approval next month.

Under the proposed management plan, the town’s parks director, Ted Lashley, will also serve as beach manager. With two more officers on staff, the Carolina Beach Police Department will enforce county ordinances.

New Hanover County has given the town authority over the area.

Carolina Beach may recommend stricter rules later, Mr. Peck said.

Vehicular access to Freeman Park will cost $10 a day, but annual permits will be available at various locations around town for $40. Mr. Peck estimated the fee would bring in about $40,000 a year, but he said that was only a guess.

The money is expected to defray some but not all of the extra costs.
In addition, Mr. Peck said the town would make some physical changes to the north-end entrance at the end of Canal Drive. A pay station for daily visitors, portable toilets and a trash bin will be installed.

The town also has extended its turtle-monitoring contract to include the north end and has purchased a beach rake to sweep the sand each day. Mr. Peck said the town hopes to implement the plan by April 1.

Carolina Beach’s plan to raise funds on north end

CAROLINA BEACH | Dave Tilley loves almost everything about Carolina Beach’s proposed plan to manage the north end.

He doesn’t have a problem with the town charging a fee for people to drive on the beach, and he doesn’t mind the extra patrols by police officers. He really likes the idea of having portable bathrooms right on the beach as well as a designated area for trash.

What he isn’t so sure about, however, is how the town will collect the daily fee and why one part of the north end will be blocked off.

The north end for years has been a popular spot for thousands of people who turn out on summer weekends to fish, camp and hang out. The overall intent of the management plan is to protect the environment and public interest while allowing 24-hour vehicular access to the beach.

The management plan, which a committee has decided to send to the Town Council for approval, calls for a representative from the town’s parking company to meet motorists before they drive out on the sand. Mr. Tilley’s concern is that the employee might intimidate beachgoers if that person seems like a security guard keeping an eye on them.

But Town Manager Calvin Peck said the idea is for the person to help visitors pay the $10 daily fee, which will be collected using a pay station like those used at parking lots in the town. The person also will hand drivers a pamphlet spelling out rules for the north end and answer any questions.

Mr. Tilley’s other concern is about where sand fencing will go along the north-end beach, now being called Freeman Park.

Mr. Peck said the fencing eventually will stretch about a mile, and access to a creek used by many fishermen will be prohibited. The proposed location of the fencing, he said, is meant to rebuild the dune line, which has been washed away in some areas and destroyed by vehicles in others.

Mr. Tilley, who likes to take his kids back to the creek, said he understands the reasoning but knows people won’t be happy.
Mr. Peck stressed that the town’s management plan may need revisions.

“This is only phase one,” he said. “It may not work.”

Mr. Tilley raised his concerns during a meeting Thursday night of the committee that has been helping the town draft a management plan. Mr. Tilley, who serves on the committee, said he was willing to give it a try. Other committee members also signed off on the proposal, which will be presented to the Town Council for approval next month.

Under the proposed management plan, the town’s parks director, Ted Lashley, will also serve as beach manager. With two more officers on staff, the Carolina Beach Police Department will enforce county ordinances.

New Hanover County has given the town authority over the area.

Carolina Beach may recommend stricter rules later, Mr. Peck said.

Vehicular access to Freeman Park will cost $10 a day, but annual permits will be available at various locations around town for $40. Mr. Peck estimated the fee would bring in about $40,000 a year, but he said that was only a guess.

The money is expected to defray some but not all of the extra costs.
In addition, Mr. Peck said the town would make some physical changes to the north-end entrance at the end of Canal Drive. A pay station for daily visitors, portable toilets and a trash bin will be installed.

The town also has extended its turtle-monitoring contract to include the north end and has purchased a beach rake to sweep the sand each day. Mr. Peck said the town hopes to implement the plan by April 1.