Goose Rocks Beach Legacy–Skip Parrot

I have been coming to Goose Rocks Beach for over fifty years (yes, my
entire life!), missing only two summers 1960 (when my youngest sister
Lisa was born) and 1982 (when my son Matthew was born). However this is not really where my story begins at Goose Rocks. My family (my great grandfather Horne) originally built the cottage at 250 Kings Highway on 2
deeded lots (one on each side of Kings Highway) … yes, until my Father
passed away; my Mother decided to sell the cottage, I was a member of
the “beachfront owners”. That is how I can confidently state without
equivocation that no one ever sought permission from my family, nor was it
ever “expected” anyone request to use any portion of our beach property.
I can also state, again without equivocation, having walked the entire
length of the beach many times each year growing up, to explore one of
the “islands” (Timber, Strawberry, Goose Rocks), swim (or later ski) in
the slightly warmer tidal river waters, or just “go for a walk on the
beach” with dog, family, or friends, I was never approached by anyone
requesting or requiring permission to use any portion of the Goose Rocks
Beach.

My first summer personally at Goose Rocks Beach was 1956, at our family
home. With the only exception of 1960, I spent every summer of my youth
here, taking swimming, tennis, and eventually sailing lessons from the
GRBA. Playing with friends in the tidal pools, exploring the islands,
searching for shells and sand dollars are a few of my fondest memories from
early childhood. I remember the movies at the Community House, dodgeball
inside when it rained and lessons were cancelled, cookouts on the beach,
tennis tournaments, sailing races, etc. Eventually in the early 70’s, I
applied for and was accepted by then GRBA President, Henry Schlegel, as the
Youth Director/Tennis Instructor for GRBA (talk about a great summer
job!).

Finally, in 1978, I married my GRB sweetheart (now for 30+ years) who’s
family (Wilson and Lynde) also summered and later lived here, (our marriage
was practically “pre-ordained”!). While I will let her share her story and
love of “the beach” in her time, I must include as part of my story, my
immediate family (Lynda, Stacey Matt, and Sarah) have, during the last 32
years (or since their births) always been able to walk, sunbath,
generally recreate anywhere on Goose Rock s Beach we chose (both Eastern and
Western ends of the beach) without seeking any individual permission. In
2003, Lynda and I decided it time to buy “our retirement home” at Goose
Rocks, and thus once again, “the Parrotts” had a home there. In Spring,
2008, we sold our home in Indiana and moved to GRB permanently!

Also in 2004, we were blessed with our first grandchild, Morgan.
Although I have yet to convince her to ride in one of my boats moored at
Goose Rocks, for the past three years of her brief life, she has loved
playing in the sand, building castles, jumping waves, playing with
relatives and making new friends on the sands of Goose Rocks. If only
everyone with history at “the beach” could recall this joy and what it
meant to each of us “long-timers” growing up.

I personally know some of the 25 beach front homeowners who have brought
this lawsuit. We have talked about some of the issues they have, most of
which could be easily resolved through common sense, courtesy and respect.
I refuse to believe these friends and relatives want to exclude me and my
family from “the beach”, yet this is exactly what their spokesperson,
Robert Almeder stated in his and Jack Flemming’s Letter to the Editor of
the Portland Herald on October 30 “If the town will agree with these
conditions, then the owners w ill consider seriously an agreement
permitting the general public to walk the beach from end to end at any
time.”. Obvious by omission is any reference to allowing family
recreation, sun bathing, etc.

This attitude was apparently repeated during the mediation held the first
week in February, as, with the Judge present, no common ground could be
found by the five people representing the 25 beachfront owners and the
town and others who have attached themselves to the suit. My hope is this
“un-negotiable” view is not shared by my friends and family members who are
on the beachfront owners side of this lawsuit, and they will eventually
stand up for what they know is right and fair for all parties on both
sides. However, with the contrary facts and statements to date, I must,
with every fiber of my being, fight this effort to privatize GRB, and
will at every opportunity, for both my immediate family and extended
family, exercise our legal and historic prescriptive rights both given and
received over the year s (never confronting as a beachfront owner until
1984, nor as a “beach user” since 1984) to enjoy the beach at Goose
Rocks. There are a few things in life worth believing in and fighting
for, and the unfettered access & enjoyment of GRB for generations to come
is one such “thing”.