The most recent collapse at Lily Point has left a smaller trail that used to be 15 feet away from the edge of the bluff dangling in the air.

“I put caution ribbon up trying to make really sure people know,” said Lily Point Marine Reserve and Lighthouse Marine Park manager Ben VanBuskirk.

The slide happened during the first weekend in August following a rainy Saturday in the area between Claire Lane and the main beach access trail. “I think that whole area is unstable,” VanBuskirk said. “That’s where we lost that 30-foot chunk a few years ago.” The bluff is more stable where the parks department has put fences up at viewpoint along the western bluff, VanBuskirk said. In developing a long-term plan for the park he said it was likely some smaller trails along unstable bluff areas would be eliminated.

A fence may be considered at the site of the latest collapse to keep people away from the highly unstable edge, VanBuskirk said. “I would be more inclined to put one up if people stopped tearing them down,” he said wryly, adding he has built 22 sections of split rail fencing and only eight sections remain.

Ultimately, the Lily Point bluffs will continue to erode and feed sand to the beaches, VanBuskirk said, and people need to be aware that areas near the edge are vulnerable to collapse.

“Stay away from the edges and don’t go around areas with fences,” he said. “There’s no way I can protect people by putting fences back up. It needs to be up to them.”

Photo by Meg Olson