A controversial barrier has arisen on the San Mateo County coast, where access to the cherished Thornton State Beach is under siege by a chainlink fence, constructed by a man who purports to own the land above the coastline. This barricade has sparked a clash with community members and local officials who view the scenic expanse as a public treasure.
"It's just beautiful, you know? Scenic trails and beach, and so a lot of folks--dog walkers, hikers, bikers, everybody is accessing this are," Daly City resident Annie Ellicott said in an interview with CBS News San Francisco. The nearby Ocean View Stables, led by owner Zachary Leyden, faces direct consequences from the barrier, which has severed their horse trail access. Leyden remarked on the obstruction, describing the fence-builder as someone who seems "to be the kind that will bulldoze anybody who's not aligned with the plan."
San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa, who resides near the contested area, took swift action by writing a letter to the California Coastal Commission, urging the restoration of the path. Additionally, Daly City police mandated the removal of an aggressive sign from the site, featuring a gun and a threat of physical violence against trespassers, per Canepa's account to SFGATE. The sign's presence had exacerbated the local community's distress over the unauthorized blockade.
Despite the state proclamation that closed Thornton Beach years ago, a spirit of defiance has taken root among those who frequent its sandy shores and craggy bluffs. Canepa, sharing his constituents' concerns, noted the loss of critical vehicular access for emergency personnel. The current blockade has also been likened to the controversial Martins Beach case, outlined by Canepa in his letter to the commission.
The community's outrage is expressed in a growing Change.org petition with nearly 500 signatures, calling for the reopening of the trail. Confronted with legislative pushback and an impassioned public outcry, Canepa appealed to the landowner's sense of reason, "My plea and ask is that the owner really comes to his senses," he told SFGATE. "Look, just take down the gate."
