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Read something interesting about Gibney Beach......
Read something interesting about Gibney Beach......
Ok, I don't want to break any of the forum rules and I hope I am not by posting about this -
I just read something on another forum about an ugly sounding incident - people getting kicked off Gibney Beach by Park Rangers (the poster reported a gun was drawn) because one of the women living on the beach didn't want them in front of her property.
Anyone else see it?
Can I post a piece of the trip report? Is that against the rules?
ETA - My motivation for asking about this is I don't want to run into problems in the future, I am not trying to stir trouble.
I just read something on another forum about an ugly sounding incident - people getting kicked off Gibney Beach by Park Rangers (the poster reported a gun was drawn) because one of the women living on the beach didn't want them in front of her property.
Anyone else see it?
Can I post a piece of the trip report? Is that against the rules?
ETA - My motivation for asking about this is I don't want to run into problems in the future, I am not trying to stir trouble.
I would have to say, having personal knowledge of this incident, that the poster on that forum was not honest about the incident, which apparently involved a great deal of alcohol and misbehavior on the part of the poster's group. The rangers were called due to violations of local and federal laws, including littering, disturbance of the peace and indecent exposure.
My wife and I had an incident there a couple years ago. We had been at the beach most of the day, reading and mostly just lounging when a tall relatively thin lady I'd say was in her early sixties stormed out on the beach and lamblasted us for being too close to her property. We had been fairly cautious as to where we set up and felt we were far enough away from any of the dwellings but obviously not far enough for her. She was as mad as a hornet and really embarrased us. We quickly picked our belongings up and decided we'd had enough beach for the day. I know there is some confusion here as to what is and isn't public/private. The land has been sold to the park but they don't take posession of it for quite a while. I suppose this allows those living there to avoid the tax burden of this expensive land but allows them to stay till some date far in the future. ---If this was the same lady that confronted us, I could see how someone could "get into it with her". She was extremely rude. We would have left with just a simple request but she immediately went for the jugular. I wish someone would clarify the rules. I suspect they made a deal that is financially beneficial but they still want complete control of the beach and they don't have it. We've been back to Gibney several times and always set up at one end of the beach or the other. I don't know if that's required by law but I'm too scared of the mean lady to test it.
Hugo, thanks for the personal insight. I had thought there might be more to it. We actually have Gibney on our radar to visit while in St John but were considering not doing that beach as we did not want to experience problems and/or cause friction with any of the local homeowners. We would certainly like to enjoy this delightful beach you have all raved about!
As I understand it, and I hope a local will chime in to educate me/us, the owner at the far end of the beach (the stone house) sold her property to the park but retained the right to live on the property.stjchica wrote:I am curious too as to the rules..
Is Gibney private or public?
The owner of the cottage parcel owns her land.
The orange house (Oppenheimer) parcel is public.
The sand up to a certain point, is public. Is it the high water mark or the vegetation line?
WHOA! Hugo.....having personal knowledge??? Are you really Terri going by the name of Hugo? Or are you a park ranger? Either way...very COOL!hugo wrote:I would have to say, having personal knowledge of this incident, that the poster on that forum was not honest about the incident, which apparently involved a great deal of alcohol and misbehavior on the part of the poster's group. The rangers were called due to violations of local and federal laws, including littering, disturbance of the peace and indecent exposure.
I'd sure like to meet you some time, Hugo! I have a feeling I could learn a lot about St. John from you! We'll be there in a couiple of weeks...what do you say?
-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!
The beaches are public to the vegetation line.
There are three private properties on the beach--two rental units (the Gibney Beach Cottages) and the private Gibney home. There are signs nailed to the trees in front of the three properties asking you not to block access, and my understanding is that the owner prefers that you not set up directly in front of the three structures. Legally you can set up where ever you want on the beach despite the signs, but that said there is plenty more beautiful beach on both sides that is not right in front of the houses. John and I go to Gibney at least once every trip and have never had a problem.
There are three private properties on the beach--two rental units (the Gibney Beach Cottages) and the private Gibney home. There are signs nailed to the trees in front of the three properties asking you not to block access, and my understanding is that the owner prefers that you not set up directly in front of the three structures. Legally you can set up where ever you want on the beach despite the signs, but that said there is plenty more beautiful beach on both sides that is not right in front of the houses. John and I go to Gibney at least once every trip and have never had a problem.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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