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$D23, Box 925 Vero Beach, Fla. 32960 August lbs 1976 County Commissioners Indian River County Indian River County Courthouse Vero Bea^h, Fla. 32960 Bear Commissioners: Only today it was brought to my attention that a public hearing U49 to be held k this week on the closing of the river side of the public park near the southern end of Ambersand Beach. I regret that I cannot attend the hearing, but 1--do,•dish my views to be a matter of record. I own and occupy property ih AmbersaInd Soach only a few hundred yards to the north and am interesteA both in these proceedings and all other matters which bear on the future developmegt of this community. In my view, the public at large has a right to both beach and river access. This right is vital to the economy of the'State of Florida and has, in fact, been re- cognized by the County, as evidenced by its continuing efforts to acquire public '.access routes and beach areas before ocean and riverfront property values -become excessive. People from across the Country vacation in Florida with the expectat Ion of enjoying our beaches a and they are entitled.to enjoy their reason for be - Ing here. To deliberately close off a presently owned City, County, or State public access makes no sense to me whatsoever* When the Government -• Ni it City, County, or State - fails to provide and maintain adequate public access areas to the beach and river, those who use the beach.and river force their way through private properties - tramplng bushes, breaking down the dunes, strewing garbage, and, in some cases, causing disturbance. One can'say to them - and I frequently have, "There is a public.p=k only a half mile north. Go There," This does not solve the problem; it's usually solved only when a Sheriff's Deputy has been summoned to move them one - Another consideration is property value* Before I bought my property in 1169, I considered both the Sebastian Inlet State Park and the South Ambersand Beach Park as "safety -valves", Both were fqr enough away.not to bother me directly, but both were public areas close enough that I should not be overly concerned -about trespass on my own property. I have found this is not the case, and particularly since the County has seen*fit to close the river access at Ambersand Beach Park. We now have more people than ever forcing their way through our property and adjacent properties® My recommendation$ -would be the encouragement of a more complete utilization -of the public access areas which are already bought -and paid for. The physical facilities should be improved - better restrooms, better picnic tables and shelters, and adequate trash cans* *More intensive. surveillance by the She'riff's' . Department may be in order. I'm willing to bet that.ih costs less to schedule. the routine policing of public facilities than it does .to respond to numerous ccnplaints by taipayers whose properties are being overrun cerely y'es ' ohm D. Rale c ' a i - c AUG 1 $1976 Q P� 5 ;�. .��,. Y