Pont Dume, Malibu Parking Issue

[headhunter]

For those of you interested in the original letter sent, I have copied my "slightly personalized" version of the letter provided by Melvin below. It dawned on me that some of you may not have Word and therefore are unable to read the original "template" attached at the beginning of this thread.

Dear Mr. Barnett:

This summer PCI has started operating the parking lot at Point Dume State Beach, which is owned by the State of California and operated by the County of Los Angeles. Automated parking machines were installed, which show parking fees to be $2.00 before 8:00 AM and $6.00 after 8:00 AM. This was fine as it was a reasonable fee and allowed SCUBA divers and surfers, frequent users of this beach, to check water conditions and determine if the beach was usable or not for their intended purpose before they paid for parking. Now there is a parking attendant charging $7.00 for parking regardless of arrival time, and no refunds for any reason.
Since PCI has taken over operations, we are no longer able (as were once were) to check beach conditions before we pay $7.00 for parking. No refunds are given even if we are only there 15 minutes (long enough to drive to the far end of the beach, check conditions and leave).
In addition, on my friend’s last two visits (July 3 and July 14) a significant portion of the beach had been rented out to a group (July 3) or to a movie shoot (July 14th) which denied the public and my friend access to the portion used for SCUBA diving (the far end closest to Point Dume). They were not told of this prior to paying for parking.
SCUBA gear is very hot and heavy weighing 70 pounds for the typical diver. By closing a portion of the beach to the public, it effectively closes Point Dume to SCUBA diving due to the increased distances involved and the weight of the equipment we carry. We should be informed of this before we pay or given a refund when we leave just 10 to 15 minutes later.
I am writing to request that SCUBA divers and surfers once again be permitted to check the water conditions for 15 minutes and receive a refund on parking (or maybe charge only $1.00). The diver’s license could be held and no fee paid until they returned, the honor system could be used or a refund given. We should also be informed, before we pay, if a portion of the beach is closed to the public for any reason. This is also a safety issue since a group of divers may feel compelled to dive in marginal or unsafe conditions once they have paid such a hefty parking fee.

Regards,

 

[fishfood]

ehh anyone for a group dive in september? the water should be getting nicer by then anyways..

 

[pasley]

Same letter.

I still believe they shold tell us at the gate, before we pay if a movie shoot or other function is going on that closes a portion of the beach to the public, as in 1/3 to 1/2 of the parking lot. I don't expect them to tell me the life guard has closed part etc. But the big event type of things, they know about and should tell us.

Well at least we know we should direct future letters to the County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors.

At least we tried. It is better to have tried and failed than to sit and do nothing and curse the situation.

 

[headhunter]

Same letter.

I still believe they shold tell us at the gate, before we pay if a movie shoot or other function is going on that closes a portion of the beach to the public, as in 1/3 to 1/2 of the parking lot. I don't expect them to tell me the life guard has closed part etc. But the big event type of things, they know about and should tell us.

Well at least we know we should direct future letters to the County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors.

At least we tried. It is better to have tried and failed than to sit and do nothing and curse the situation.

I agree.

Maybe, as a matter of course, before paying, a diver should always ask the attendant if any part of the beach is closed. They may not volunteer it but I don't think they'd lie about it when asked. This of course wouldn't help with regard to evaluating conditions.

It is nice to know who to contact should any other letters need to be written in the future.

Christian