A long-standing legal battle over public beach access in Santa Cruz County has reached a turning point as the California Supreme Court upheld a decision regarding a barrier wall at Rio Del Mar Beach, affirming the walkway as public property.The conflict between Santa Cruz County and the Rio Del Mar Beach Islands Homeowners Association has centered on whether the walkway is public or private. Homeowners have claimed ownership, while the county has argued for public access. A previous ruling in favor of the homeowners was overturned by the appeals court in September, affirming the walkway’s public status.“The community and the public at large have a right to access this beach,” said Jeff Gaffney, Santa Cruz County director of parks.Beachgoers have expressed understanding for both sides of the argument.One visitor noted, “If I was living over there and I had people walking in my backyard, I wouldn’t be too stoked about it.”Another added, “I have to admit there have been moments where I felt like, wow, I’m really close to their private space, but it’s been there forever. And they knew that when they got it, because it really has been like that. But I relate to both sides of it.”The county has emphasized the importance of the concrete access point for individuals with mobility issues, highlighting it as the only paved path in Santa Cruz County that provides direct beach access for people in wheelchairs.“The most important thing about that for us was access for people in wheelchairs and those with mobility issues. This is the only place in Santa Cruz County where someone can park in a paved area and then take a paved path right out to the beach,” Gaffney said.With the Supreme Court’s decision, attention now turns to when the fences will be removed. “That’s the million-dollar question right now. We would like them to take it down today, but we do have a court date scheduled for Feb. 11. If they want to take it down sooner than that, we would welcome it,” said Jason Hoppin, Santa Cruz County public information officer.See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

APTOS, Calif. —

A long-standing legal battle over public beach access in Santa Cruz County has reached a turning point as the California Supreme Court upheld a decision regarding a barrier wall at Rio Del Mar Beach, affirming the walkway as public property.

The conflict between Santa Cruz County and the Rio Del Mar Beach Islands Homeowners Association has centered on whether the walkway is public or private. Homeowners have claimed ownership, while the county has argued for public access.

A previous ruling in favor of the homeowners was overturned by the appeals court in September, affirming the walkway’s public status.

“The community and the public at large have a right to access this beach,” said Jeff Gaffney, Santa Cruz County director of parks.

Beachgoers have expressed understanding for both sides of the argument.

One visitor noted, “If I was living over there and I had people walking in my backyard, I wouldn’t be too stoked about it.”

Another added, “I have to admit there have been moments where I felt like, wow, I’m really close to their private space, but it’s been there forever. And they knew that when they got it, because it really has been like that. But I relate to both sides of it.”

The county has emphasized the importance of the concrete access point for individuals with mobility issues, highlighting it as the only paved path in Santa Cruz County that provides direct beach access for people in wheelchairs.

“The most important thing about that for us was access for people in wheelchairs and those with mobility issues. This is the only place in Santa Cruz County where someone can park in a paved area and then take a paved path right out to the beach,” Gaffney said.

With the Supreme Court’s decision, attention now turns to when the fences will be removed.

“That’s the million-dollar question right now. We would like them to take it down today, but we do have a court date scheduled for Feb. 11. If they want to take it down sooner than that, we would welcome it,” said Jason Hoppin, Santa Cruz County public information officer.

See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel