SIESTA KEY- Instead of a welcoming long stretch of white sand and blue waters, residents say they’re met with boulders and stakes blocking their way
Resident Jim Skinner and his fiancé have been coming to this spot on Siesta Key for years, but say they’re now stopped by a no trespassing sign.
“It’s infuriating and I feel like we’re violated here,” said Skinner. “People have been coming here for years and years even decades. They don’t know what to think. It’s just wrong.”
Sarasota resident Mark Wasfy says he was surprised to see ropes blocking off a part of the beach he’s been down before.
“I was a little frustrated and disappointed that some local residents who obviously bought their homes when this was as public as it could be, which enable them to be able to afford to live here,” said Wasfy. “So now they’re attempting to create here what they couldn’t afford elsewhere and at the expense of our taxpaying dollars.”
Sarasota County released this statement from Beaches and Water Access Manager, Cindy Turner:
“Sarasota County has many public beach access points along our 35 miles of beaches. Siesta Key alone has 13 public beach accesses, including Shell Road or Siesta Beach Access 1, plus Siesta Public Beach and Turtle Beach. The beaches and public beach accesses are open to the public to enjoy. Siesta Public Beach, Turtle Beach, and the 13 Siesta public beach accesses (mentioned above) are not private, however, there are also private beaches/properties along Siesta Key adjacent to public beach accesses. Private property owners can block access to their property but not to public beach accesses/property,” said Turner.
Skinner is urging other frustrated resident to reach out to county officials and has started a petition to re-open access.
“I would like to see her pull her signs back to the high water line and take these ropes off.”
This is a developing story and we will continue to update you with the latest information as it becomes available.
