Beach Camping

EASTER CAMPING AT COLUMBUS LANDING:

Although Salt River Bay has 1015 acres worth of park land and water, most of it is on the East side of the bay, and feels somewhat inaccessible to visitors who have to drive through the gated community of Judith's Fancy to get to it. That's why most people who know about Salt River experience it from the West side, and area called Columbus Landing because that is where Columbus is supposed to have landed back in 1493 when he stopped at St. Croix for fresh water. Columbus Landing is home to rich archeological remains- the only ceremonial ballcourt from the indigenous people was discovered right next to the current parking circle, and the road drives over shell middens (or indigenous garbage piles) from that era. Fort Sale, the oldest earthen fort within the US control, lies just West of the drive- covered by invasive vegetation. The mangroves in that area which serve to filter sediments and pollution from runoff before it enters the bay have to contend with litter, foot traffic and broken branches.

Today the site is used throughout the year by tourists and locals alike, but the most heavy use happens around Easter weekend when families set up camp along many of St. Croix's beaches. While this is a well known Crucian tradition, there is a lot that is still a mystery- specifically at this particular beach. The age of the tradition, the length of time spent on the beach, the intensity of use, and the activities involved in camping are matters that are often generalized and possibly misunderstood.

OUR RESPONSE:

In order to better understand the way the beach is used, and what needs the camping community might have, I recently began a study that involves interviewing Columbus Landing campers about their experiences, and recording them so that those who make planning decisions for the park will understand the users they affect. The campers, the upscale residential community nearby, environmentalists and archeologists all have different relationships to the site, and therefore different perspectives on what use is appropriate. The emotions that accompany these positions often run deep, and are further intensified by class, race and political differences that on this island seem especially sensitive. I have observed a fear of being taken advantage of that has lead to people choosing sides, planting their feet and fighting with all they have. This approach to differences and conflict can be divisive and perpetuate the problems.

As Landscape Architects my colleagues and I have the opportunity to design within communities that sometimes odds with each other. We know that design is a process that involves compromise and weaving together many different components within one landscape, and so we are equipped to tackle some of this polarization to achieve agreements on the proper planning and design. In some cases this takes the form of a design charette, focus groups or an extensive survey of stakeholders. The study that I am currently working on will at minimum contribute to our understanding of a particular stakeholder group for the park, but my hopes are that through the process we can identify leaders within that community who we can begin to invite into the design dialogue and potentially a design charette.