Pillar Point Harbor’s West Shoreline Trail extends from the parking lot at Pillar Point Marsh out to the west breakwater and Mavericks Beach. It is a very popular recreational trail and important emergency vehicle access point.
Just south of the marsh where the trail meets the harbor beach, a section is being eroded by wave action. In places the erosion encroaches directly into the trail. Since 2011 a bench and surrounding section of trail have been closed off with yellow caution tape. Ongoing erosion threatens closure of the trail if something is not done.
The trail belongs to the Harbor District. It was granted to the District when the breakwater was built. The trail is public coastal access as partial mitigation for harbor construction. Repair and protection of the trail is listed as a District top priority, studies were completed a year ago, and funds were budgeted for the actual repair work during 2012-13. Inexplicably, the project is on hold.