Island Beach Access

Island Beach Access The Mission of Island Beach Access (IBA) is to identify and preserve
public beach access in Island Co How much do you know about Whidbey’s beaches?

Yes, they are where you take your off-island friends, or where you go to sit and contemplate, cast for salmon, or just look for special stones. But who owns the beaches? What is "tideland" and what is "upland"? Where may kayakers come ashore? Do you know how much economic benefit comes to Island County from the beaches? The mission of Island Beach Access (IBA) is to identify, restore and preserve

public access to public shorelines of Whidbey Island. Education is an important part of its program, for it fosters both understanding of one’s rights and the knowledge necessary to avoid conflict among increasing numbers of people who want to use our public beaches. Ownership of Whidbey Island beaches is complex. Uplands and tidelands are often in different ownerships. Some beaches are public and well known, some are public and almost unknown, some are privately owned. Even the public beaches are owned by different state and county agencies. For example, portions of the Robinson Beach area on Mutiny Bay are owned by five different public agencies. People who go on the beaches often don’t know whether they are on public or private beaches, and often don’t know that it matters. And occasionally there are a few who don’t care. Prior to the economic crisis of 2008, the County and non-profit groups worked together to locate roads ending at beaches (by law deemed public beach access), dock sites and other public rights-of-way that are points of access to beaches. There are estimated as many as 200 locations where seekers of salt water beaches can find public access from uplands and where small boaters and kayakers may land from the water at public landing points. It seems pretty important that we all know more about our beaches than where the salmon run or where the agates are. Whether the beaches are public or privately owned, we must respect both the beaches and the private and public ownerships. Unfortunately, much contention that has arisen between the groups as a consequence of lack of knowledge of boundaries and laws about public and private property rights. An example is conflict that arises when long-used public road ends are claimed as private by adjacent land owners. Some conflict results from discourteous behavior on private beaches. IBA has been working with Island County and the Port of S. Whidbey to place directional and site identification signs to help people from on and off the island to locate public beaches and get next to the water. The County and Port are interested because according to a recent state report, Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation, our beaches bring in a significant economic contribution of almost 160 million dollars a year to Island County. In furtherance of its mission IBA promotes a simple code of behavior for people who use our beaches. IBA promotes universal principles of "Pack it In, Pack it Out" , "Leave Only Footprints, Take Only Pictures", “Obey Burning Rules” and “Be Polite”. In this world of conflict, we all need a safe, conflict-free place to contemplate nature!

02/22/2023

Dustin Yongue will lead people on what he described as a “mildly pub crawl themed” walk Feb. 23-26.

Island Beach Access General Meeting February 27th from 6:00 to 7:30 @ the Freeland Public Library
02/14/2020

Island Beach Access General Meeting February 27th from 6:00 to 7:30 @ the Freeland Public Library

02/14/2020
Clinton Beach Universal Accessibility Project. Todaywe rolled up the Accessmats for Winter. We'll reinstallthem next May...
10/29/2019

Clinton Beach Universal Accessibility Project. Today
we rolled up the Accessmats for Winter. We'll reinstall
them next May. A very successful season!!

How beach mats make a difference in various peoples abilities is pretty amazing. To be able to be closer to the water a...
09/30/2019

How beach mats make a difference in various peoples abilities is pretty amazing. To be able to be closer to the water and easier to watch your chair along with less time butt scooting on the sand risking skin breakdown and hospital 🏥 time means the world to so many people with challenges in their daily routine wether I’m a chair, on crutches, a amputee, pregnant, a senior with hip and bone replacements or just someone who is challenged with mobility. The mats even come in black, tan and grey but at events like this it’s great to showcase the blue ones to make a point about accessibility. Look forward for the PNW to continuing to work on accessibility for various folks abilities.

Public streets which end at the waterline provide public access to the water. In 1996, Seattle City Council approved a r...
09/15/2019

Public streets which end at the waterline provide public access to the water. In 1996, Seattle City Council approved a resolution designating shoreline street ends for "public uses and enjoyment." Shoreline Street Ends Program improves public access, protects unique views, enhances habitat, supports maritime industry, and fosters stewardship to create long- lasting community assets. We could do something like this in Island County. http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/public-space-management-programs/shoreline-street-ends

Public beach access rights upheld in landmark case. "Beach access is a fundamental right guaranteed to everyone."
09/15/2019

Public beach access rights upheld in landmark case. "Beach access is a fundamental right guaranteed to everyone."

In a significant victory for coastal access rights in California, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Silicon Valley billionaire's appeal to keep a beach to himself. The decision caps an all-out legal battle over a small stretch of sand in San Mateo County known as Martins Beach. What began....

07/09/2019

Notes from Island Beach Access Public Meeting Thursday June 13- Freeland Public Library:


Over forty people attended, asking many questions and making wide ranging comments. Our officers presented a brief history of IBA. They also reviewed recent projects, which included restoring Wonn Rd public beach access, creating parking and signage at Marissa Lane, removing barriers to public beach access at Shore Meadow Rd, improving public beach access at Limpet Lane, and creating the Clinton Beach Universally Accessible Park, unique in all the Northwest. They also discussed current and future plans for Hidden Beach, Sunlight Beach, Deer Lagoon Rd, and Robinson Beach.

Dale Christensen, Treasurer, reviewed IBA’s financial status. We currently owe Mike McVay, IBA inspiration, founder, and Past President, the final $3000 of a $15,000 loan which he generously advanced to IBA to pay off the last of our $130,000 legal fees in the Wonn Rd dispute.

IBA’s campaign to establish standardized and understandable signage at public beach access points is essential to reduce unpleasant encounters between the public beach walkers and private beach owners. Signage to assist kayakers in identifying safe public landing sites is also critical. We are working with Island County and local residents to accomplish this.

Paul McElwain, IBA Vice President, patiently and clearly demonstrated the new Island County mapping tools now available online. He showed how these tools can be used to determine property history, boundaries, ownership, and other useful information. IBA members who wish further instruction may contact Paul for possible classes at [email protected].

We closed the meeting with appeals for additional financial support, beach monitoring assistance, data base management, committee and advisory board participation, Island County and public outreach, website development, Island County committee representation, membership development, and fundraising.

Attendees asked how they could help to keep IBA viable. This is our answer.

Please contact us at [email protected] to contribute your time, money, and/or skills.

Mel Trenor

President- Island Beach Access

Permanent Beach mats in Waikiki, Hawaii ... allow adaptive surfers, families, strollers, seniors and anyone with a need ...
06/16/2019

Permanent Beach mats in Waikiki, Hawaii ... allow adaptive surfers, families, strollers, seniors and anyone with a need to be able to get close to the water. Your able to roll with a surf board on your lap in the wheelchair right to the beachfront, Go Waikiki!!

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Langley, WA
98260

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