Malibu beach app reaches fundraising goal

The designers of an iPhone app that would identify public access points to Malibu beaches successfully reached a fundraising goal of $30,000 to finish the project this week through online crowdfunding site kickstarter.com. The designers aim to make the app functional by this summer. 

The “Our Malibu Beaches” app was inspired by environmental writer Jenny Price’s three-part series for LA Observed covering Malibu’s many well-kept secret access points and beaches. The series shone a critical eye on homeowners who often illegally post “Private Property” or “No Public Access” signs at access points legally meant for public use.

Supporters of public access have hailed the app as a strong step forward in opening up pristine coastal areas that are currently obscured, including a May 29 column by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez. 

But residents have raised concerns that the app could bring sanitation and law enforcement issues at public access points that currently lack restrooms, trash receptacles and regular patrols. A May 29 Los Angeles Times editorial also argued that the California Coastal Commission needed to provide more beach paths at the access points, many of which are difficult to reach the beach from. 

See this week’s Malibu Times newspaper for an in-depth story on the app. What do you think about the app?