New group vows to monitor issues and concerns connected to traditional public access on Biddeford’s beaches
FROM STAFF & COMMUNITY REPORTS
Citing ongoing concerns about eroding public access along Biddeford’s beaches and river shorelines, a new organization announced Sunday that they will be advocating and keeping a close eye on issues connected to public access points at some of Biddeford’s most prized recreational assets.
According to a recent press release, the new group is calling itself the “Coast Appreciation Squad,” a project launched by coastal resident Mark Robinson of Biddeford.
Robinson said he decided to launch a Facebook community group after he picked up information “that disturbs me” in recent days at one of Biddeford’s beaches.
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Robinson — a well-known public relations consultant — said the new communications effort is designed to gather information about specific attempts to limit the public’s ability to enjoy river and ocean assets within the city, through inaccurate or misleading signage, illicit taking of property, personal intimidation or other means.
“Rights of way and common usage have been lawfully established over many decades and centuries, Robinson said. “If we don’t use those rights they melt away and believe me there are a few folks who have an intense interest in making that happen.”
The first post on the Coast Appreciation Squad Facebook page depicts angry American bald eagles seemingly outraged by a “Keep Out” sign, superimposed onto an actual photo taken earlier this summer at Granite Point Beach.
The text reads, “Concern keeps growing. This page is a clearing house to monitor events in Biddeford. Is anyone trying to erase our residents’ rights to enjoy The Great Outdoors? You gather the information; we’ll get it to elected officials.”
Ironically, the Biddeford City Council has a workshop meeting scheduled on Tuesday, Aug. 11 to discuss related matters at Biddeford Pool.
“We have hyper-local issues, but the same general concerns affect towns all along the coast of Maine,” Robinson said. “And there’s a lawsuit as well that we’re still waiting to hear about. These things are all inter-related, and we can’t be casual about keeping watch.
RELATED | OPINION: We must protect traditional public access to our beaches
“With the Facebook page established, local folks can keep a close watch and report any new attempt to intimidate and limit access,” Robinson added.
In 2021, Robinson assisted the attorneys who filed a lawsuit to return all beaches and intertidal lands to the people of Maine.
The plaintiffs in that 2021 case say nobody owns any beach down to the low water mark. Their case argued that in 1989, four Maine Supreme Court judges made a mistake. The judges ignored ancient law, English common law, rights Maine acquired when Maine became a state in 1820, many Maine and U.S. Supreme Court cases, and something called the “equal footing” doctrine.
The case was heard by the Law Court in 2024, and almost two years later the justices have yet to hand down a decision.
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BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 
I hope that Mr. Robinson attends City Council meetings, or at least watches them in their recorded format. It is incumbent upon citizens of Biddeford to keep up-to-date with the actual things that happen in our City government, rather than rumors on Facebook or other social media. The first step to protecting YOUR rights is to contact your City Councilor for your Ward, as well as the two at-large City Councilors (Marc Lessard and Lisa Vadnais) on any issue that concerns you. I completely agree that our right to beach access is almost always at risk across the coast of Maine. I would like to make sure that people use the avenues ALREADY available to them, to voice their concerns. City Council meetings and emailing your City Councilors and Mayor are the best points of access for citizens of Biddeford. There are two time periods in every Council meeting scheduled for citizens to stand up and speak their minds. Take advantage of this! And I look forward to seeing everyone concerned with beach access at the special workshop meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. Just be aware that this “special” kind of meeting does not include those public speaking time periods.
Kathy Griffin, Ward 7
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