Point Dume Access

Re “Accord Reached on Point Dume Nature Park Access,” Jan. 28: In one sense I am relieved that the people of California have finally gotten some access to that piece of our coastline that has been denied to us for many decades, but in another sense I am greatly disappointed. The size of the parcel is too small and the restrictions on access are too great. Beginning in the 1940s, when I was a high school kid wanting to surf-fish, until this day, when I try to bring my geology students to study the Point Dume coast, I have been harassed by the aggressive guards the Point Dume exclusive neighbors have hired to deny me access to our coastline.

The fault lies with state and county officials who for decades have failed to protect the California coast from likes of those Point Dume neighbors. Ten parking spaces have been allocated to us and we can’t proceed to visit the reserve without a docent being present. This is an outrageously small concession that our officials have achieved for us. It is time for Californians to take back the Malibu coast.

IVAN P. COLBURN

Pasadena