What's important to a pier?

[Ken Jones]

The first meeting held several months ago for the Ocean Beach Pier project asked the public what was important for the pier. Somewhat poorly worded (in my opinion) the results were as follows. It seems clear to me that most of the participants were not anglers. In fact, I was told anglers were outnumbered by surfers. It's one reason we need more anglers at the June 10 meeting. I have highlighted what I think are the most important things most anglers would want. Do you agree or disagree? What are your thoughts? I would love many of these things but what are most important?

What is Missing From Pier Experiences?
In person vote/On-line vote/Total

1. Quality restrooms 33/26 = 59
2. Public art 43/15 = 58
3. Outdoor dining 31/20 = 51
4. Improve underwater ecosystem 23/20 = 43
5. Shaded/protected area 27/15 = 42
6. Clean energy generation 31/8 = 39
7. Outdoor classroom 31/8 =39
8. Science partnership 27/10 = 37
9. Enhanced viewing areas 20/13 = 33
10. Places to gather 23/9 = 32

11. Expanded food and retail 17/15 = 32
12. Iconic lighting 11/20 = 31
13. Historic element/Museum 16/13 = 29
14.Support enhanced surfing activities 18/11 = 29
15. Sustainable strategies 20/7 = 27
16. Expanded fishing amenities 19/8 = 27
17. Diverse seating 17/8 = 25
18. Community space/room 18/5 = 23
19. Greater connectivity to Newport St. 15/7 = 22
20. Access to water 11/8 = 19
21. Allow dogs 4/14 = 14

22. Interpretive elements 11/3 = 14
23. ADA accessible activities 9/4 = 13
24. Safety elements 7/6 = 13
25. Fitness stations 6/4 = 10
26. Indoor classroom 5/1 = 6
27. Move the pier south 5/1 = 6 — (wanted by surfers)
28. Wave-energy capture 2 = 2
29. No pier 2 = 2
30. Solar-energy capture 1 = 1

31. Oceanographic instrumentation 1 = 1
32 Additional parking 1 = 1

 

[TheFrood]

So it looks like the new ocean beach pier will have absolutely amazing bathrooms, be covered with expensive but, most likely, very ugly art and paintings, have an unbroken line of stores and restaurants lining both sides of the pier, harvest the tides and waves for energy, be covered completely overhead with shade cloth, not have any parking facilities to accommodate the increased usage, and have a 12' tall mesh fence around the perimeter to prevent anyone from fishing...

Isn't this pier 39 (fisherman's wharf) in San Francisco... but even less friendly towards anglers?

 

[Ken Jones]

Actually none of those things will necessarily happen, they are simply thoughts from the people that were there. I found out today that the first meeting had about 150 participants of which only about 10 were local anglers. It's why I think the meeting on the 10th is so important. We need to get angler's views incorporated into the discussion.

 

[Ken Jones]

NEED INPUT FROM PIER ANGLERS!

 

[MisterT]

Here a few things that come to mind for a pier:

Accessible restrooms that is nearby the pier.
Sink & Cleaning Station (multiple throughout the pier would be nice).
Shade / Sun protection is a plus.

Rail height: Rails need to accommodate shorter anglers. My girlfriend struggles with this and finds Manhattan Beach Pier to have a good height for her to be able to cast (underhand cast as required).

Under pier obstruction: I hate getting hooks caught under the pier like in the surf area at San Clemente Pier.