Locked, gated fence likely unhinges hopes of Dog Beach accord

Continued public access to privately owned beach sections north of town appeared to hinge on local mediation efforts.

That was the hope a month ago.

More recently, though, a fence with two cable locks on the gate has been placed across a pathway used by hikers and dog owners to reach the popular shoreline area, perhaps closing the door both literally and figuratively to resolution of the festering dispute.

Dog Beach-goers were alarmed to find the fence put up Oct 14, aware that former Town Public Works Director Gordy Bell had been approached by – and already spoken with – several of the interested parties in an attempt to resolve the matter.

Bell, however, was scheduled for surgery shortly after making those initial contacts.

Conflict had first arisen, after years of no reported incidents, when some visiting the Dog Beach felt threatened by the border collie/borzoi-mix dog owned by Tammy Swanson-Toyama, among the area’s several property owners, and who had begun taking regular beach walks upon retiring here.

Swanson-Toyama, in turn, alleged having been verbally menaced on occasion. She subsequently posted No Trespassing signs that she said were repeatedly removed or vandalized.

Both sides have lodged complaints with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office and consulted with legal counsel.

Bell was enlisted to help based on his lengthy record of proposing pro-active and cooperative approaches to local recreational land use, and his familiarity with many of those involved.

On-scene Weekly News photographer Don Coyote told Ken Stern, the paper’s owner, that the new fence was installed by Swanson-Toyama’s son, Brendan.

Swanson-Toyama did not return phone and text messages prior to deadline seeking comment on whether the gate might be left open on some basis.