> The same thing happend to Hilton Head Island, SC. Most of the south end has become a gated community.
Hilton Head native here, I don't think the HHI history is quite the same. Prior to Fraser kicking off the island as we know it in the '50s, it was basically just a handful of Freedmen farmers, Gullah natives and a rather large hunting reserve for the rich. Also, while some of the gated communities don't allow the riff-raff in, unless you decide to bike or make a restaurant reservation, some still do, most notably Sea Pines.
Also, the Town of is rather cognizant of their place as a very natural, family-friendly island and goes to great pains to preserve land[0] and limit what and how folks build[1][2] to preserve the nature of the island.
I think Kiawah or Seabrook up the coast make for a more apt comparison.
> Hunting Island, SC as well - Fripp Island is a gated community.
Wait, Hunting Island and Fripp Island are discrete, separate islands with Hunting Island being a State Park. What's the problem with Hunting Island?
Fripp Island was inline with discussion on the privatization of beaches. The only bridge to get to Fripp Island is through Hunting Island, and they don't let non-residents through. Sea Pines is a little more lax since it's not as elite as Sea Island - they don't check the credentials of cyclists, and it's the only way I've visted.
I'm not sure how much of the beach is considered public in east coast states, I know CA has laws against full privatization. But by gating the only road access, you've effectively privatized the beach unless you kayak there or something.
> they don't check the credentials of cyclists, and it's the only way I've visted.
They sell tourist passes for $6 (Used to be $5... damn inflation).
> I'm not sure how much of the beach is considered public in east coast states
In the state of SC, there is no such thing as a private beach. Of course if the island is fully gated, it would require boat access.
In the case of Fripp, there is no public parking insofar as I'm aware but one could park at the edge of Hunting Island, walk across the bridge, then access the beach as the gates are inset.
Of course I'm also sure the security folks would try and make you feel unwelcome. One of those "can't beat the ride, can beat the rap" situations.
Hilton Head native here, I don't think the HHI history is quite the same. Prior to Fraser kicking off the island as we know it in the '50s, it was basically just a handful of Freedmen farmers, Gullah natives and a rather large hunting reserve for the rich. Also, while some of the gated communities don't allow the riff-raff in, unless you decide to bike or make a restaurant reservation, some still do, most notably Sea Pines.
Also, the Town of is rather cognizant of their place as a very natural, family-friendly island and goes to great pains to preserve land[0] and limit what and how folks build[1][2] to preserve the nature of the island.
I think Kiawah or Seabrook up the coast make for a more apt comparison.
> Hunting Island, SC as well - Fripp Island is a gated community.
Wait, Hunting Island and Fripp Island are discrete, separate islands with Hunting Island being a State Park. What's the problem with Hunting Island?
[0] - https://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/council/landacquisition.c...
[1] - https://www.islandpacket.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/david...
[2] - https://www.islandpacket.com/news/business/article33627555.h...