Carmel Beach & Forest Theatre Requisite Repairs for Summer Season

UPDATE (Sunday, 18 May 2008): The southernmost stairway to Carmel Beach has been repaired and is open for access to Carmel Beach.
View of Southermost Stairway Access to Carmel Beach from the Beach Bluff Pathway

View of Repaired Stairway Landing from Carmel Beach

ABSTRACT: With Memorial Day and the summer season approaching, the southernmost stairway access to Carmel Beach is in need of repair and Forest Theatre grapestake fence sections along Josselyn Lane are also in need of repair. Photos of the BEACH CLOSED southernmost stairway to Carmel Beach and Forest Theatre fence sections along Josselyn Lane are shown. COMMENTS are made regarding Carmel Beach access and the Forest Theatre's perimeter grapestake fence.

BEACH CLOSED
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS Sign
Southernmost stairway access to Carmel Beach
Scenic Rd near Martin Way.

BEACH CLOSED Sign
Base of stairway on Carmel Beach

Staircase requiring repair since January 2008

New posts for grapestake fence
Along Josselyn Lane, Forest Theatre

Leaning grapestake fence with sections of missing grapestakes
Along Josselyn Lane, Forest Theatre

Representative section of grapestake fence without new posts and missing grapestakes
Along Josselyn Lane, Forest Theatre

New asphalt overlay in front of Main Stage
Forest Theatre

COMMENTS:
• The southernmost stairway access to Carmel Beach from the beach bluff pathway has been boarded up with a sign, BEACH CLOSED HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS, since the January 2008 storms. For residents and visitors alike, it is incumbent on the City to repair the stairway and open the stairway for access to Carmel Beach ASAP.

• After grapestake fence sections fell over, et cetera, from the effects of the January 2008 storms, the City contracted for the repair of grapestake fence sections at the Forest Theatre. The last “repair” was to the fence section along Josselyn Lane; however, the “repair” only consisted of replacing 8 posts with new pressure-treated posts. By comparison, the other fence sections repairs consisted of removing the fence, replacing the old posts with new pressure-treated posts in concrete, replacing the two horizontal boards with pressure-treated boards and re-nailing the grapestakes onto the boards.

• Examination of the entire perimeter grapestake fence at the Forest Theatre shows newly reconstructed sections and dilapidated, rotten, rusty exposed nails and missing grapestakes sections. Instead of the City contracting for minimum repairs due to storm damage, the City should have contracted for the reconstruction of the entire perimeter fence as an investment worthy of a historic, cultural and environmental public asset.