Seashore to Remove Dilapidated and Unsafe Buildings

Date: October 3, 2003
Contact: John Dell'Osso, 415-464-5135

Point Reyes National Seashore announced that funding has been secured to remove the deteriorated and unsafe buildings located at Jensen’s Oyster Beds, formerly known as Hamlet, located north of Marshall on Highway One. Three of the old buildings collapsed over the past year. The 40-acre parcel of land (21 acres of which are tideland) was purchased by the National Park Service for inclusion in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in the 198os. The area is administered by Point Reyes National Seashore. To chronicle the history of the area, all of the buildings and structures have been photo documented and a historic study has been completed.

Once the site has been cleared of debris it will be restored and the area will be allowed to have vegetation return. The site will continue to be available to the public. The site is along Tomales Bay near the Walker Creek delta and has spectacular views of the Bay and of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. Trail access is planned for the site at a later date.

Public hearings for this decision were held in 1997 and comments received stated that the structures should be removed and low-impact, public access to the site would be desirable. It wasn’t until this past year that funding was received to carry out the removal of the buildings. Removal of the structures will begin the week of October 6, 2003.

-NPS-