Beach Plan Cruel

As a 35-year resident of Goleta, I have seen many bad ideas for our community brought before the Board of Supervisors, but the proposal to eliminate accessible parking at Goleta Beach is the worst idea yet [News, “Back to the Future,” 7/8/11]. The plan calls for “saving” Goleta Beach by making it inaccessible to many users. Making people park so far away that they have to take a bus ride or a long hike would destroy the quality of the experience at Goleta’s only car-friendly beach. I seriously doubt that a plan to make people park far away and take a bus to Santa Barbara’s Harbor or any of its lovely beaches would be given serious consideration. Yet Goleta’s only accessible beach is under serious jeopardy of losing a substantial portion of its parking lot—and hence its family-friendly character. It would be a great disservice to the people of this community and the entire county if this cruel plan goes forward.—Richard Mayer, Goleta