The Peninsula Metropolitan Park District Board would like to take the time to remind visitors to DeMolay Sand-spit, Fox Island WA (also known as Bella Bella Beach) is a Nature Preserve.
Although we know there is limited beach access in the greater Gig Harbor/Fox Island area, Peninsula Metropolitan Park District welcome the community to explore new parks in the area. DeMolay Sand-spit, Fox Island WA (also known as Bella Bella Beach) is a Nature Preserve and with continued overuse, abuse, and continued complaints, PenMet Parks will not be able to maintain the integrity of the preservation.
The District will be installing additional security measures to ensure there is no illegal parking and District Park Property and Nature Preserve regulations are followed. The use of the preserve is intended to allow low impact activity with special care given to protecting the sandspit vegetation. Off-leash dogs running on the sandspit and the sandspit vegetation (prohibited) is a serious concern expressed by the biologists consulted. Legal parking, not trespassing on neighbors' property, and picking up after dogs are the other major points related to public use. The clarification of rules and use criteria is in response to Fox Island residents expressing great interest in low impact use as has been the case in the past. PenMet will be observing the effects of this use and will adjust the rules and attendance limitations as may be necessary to continue protection of the property and adherence to good neighbor standards. Remember, the use of the nature preserve for the future is dependent on how the site holds up with use and how the rules are followed.
Parking is allowed in the grass field above the entrance. There will be no parking on the street in the immediate area of the preserve as indicated by signs, so access will be by drop-off or walk-in from legal parking locations elsewhere. It will be important to respect the private property owners in the area by only parking lawfully.
Please respect the preserve by following all of the instructions on the signs at the site including legal parking, staying off neighbors' property, keeping dogs off the vegetation, and picking up after dogs. It is in the best interest of everyone to protect this sensitive piece of Fox Island.
