York Town News
Have your say next week on the future of the York surfing ordinance
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK BEACH - The York Parks and Recreation Department will host an informational meeting next week on the town's surfing ordinance, which made headlines this summer as such issues as the limited size of the surfing zone caused friction on the beach.The meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 30, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the York Beach Fire Station.
According to the York Parks and Recreation Department, the focus of the meeting will be on the existing ordinance as well as other surfing-related issues.
The Board of Selectmen, Parks and Recreation and the York Police Department had reached a consensus at the end of the summer to delve into the issue of surfing on Long Sands Beach, and the struggles for space to surf and swim that can come hand-in-hand with the busy summer season. The agreement to work on the issue this fall and winter came after confrontations between surfers and lifeguards resulted in armed police officers being called to the beach to enforce the lines of the surfing zone.
The town has an official surf zone on Long Sands Beach in the summer months, which is posted and enforced while lifeguards are on duty. This summer, however, several surfing enthusiasts pointed out that such factors as the number of surfers on the local beach, as well as wind and currents, have rendered that zone too small for surfing.
Discussions began this summer, with a promise for more work toward a win-win solution for surfers, swimmers and lifeguards alike before the season starts up again in earnest in June.
Recreation officials are urging those interested in the issue to attend the Nov. 30 meeting to get the process underway.
For additional information, call the York Parks and Recreation Department at 363-1040.
