Glassbar State Park – Bring Beach

Submitted by:  Shirley Gauthier AANR-NW GAT Chair

A little known Glassbar State Park located near Springfield, Oregon was cause for alarm January 16.  An observant Rick Pierides from Seattle, Washington notified me January 16 at 5:12 p.m. that large posts had been set in cement at the access area parking lot located on Lane County property.  It appeared that the intent was to restrict access to a nude beach located in the area.

January 17 after driving to the area to verify and take a few photos of the posts I made a few phone calls and I was directed to Jeff Bishop who is the Lane County Waste Management Superintendent.  Jeff in turn introduced me to Carolyn Young the Nuisance Abatement Specialist who is assigned that area.  Jeff and Carolyn were very generous with their time and provided a wealth of information. 

Bring Recycling located next to the access parking area recently relocated to another location, which provides the opportunity for some transitions and work to be completed by the county in that area.  Jeff and Carolyn assured me it is not the intent to restrict access to the nude beach or Glassbar State Park.  Jeff pointed out that it is their intent to have a greater presence in the area and ask me to relay the message that if you see them to please approach them and introduce yourself.  Carolyn drives a truck with the County logo on it with a bar of lights across the top of the cab.  You can’t miss their lime green yellowish vests!  When I asked when the posts had been installed they smiled and said “yesterday.”  I did not have an appointment and yet both Jeff and Carolyn created time to address my concerns and questions.

My next call was to Park Ranger Paul Tollenaar- Willamette Management Unit, Willamette River Greenway.  Paul works with user groups at Glassbar Park and we discussed many of the same challenges that we find at Rooster Rock State Park.  I mentioned to Paul that AANR-NW would be most interested in networking with other user groups.  Paul asked a couple questions I could not provide answers to and I assured him I would do some research and get back to him.  Paul has a history at Glassbar Park and was most willing to share information that I appreciated and value.

Thanks to Rick Pierides an alert nudist my day was enjoyable and I was able to meet and network with some wonderful public officials.