I have no vested interest in the border closings at Idyllwild Pines Camp, but the new owner or manager of the camp seems unfriendly to me.
I’ve never walked in the camp grounds but I know many local neighbors who have done that for decades, for generations, with no apparent ill effect. Students at Idyllwild School who cut through the camp must now tread the possibly lethal streets to reach school? This is a good thing? This is protecting children?
The only people who obey unneighborly “no trespassing” signs or fences are the law-abiding folks. Those with foul intentions will pay no heed.
In fact, as Idyllwild Pines keeps out the good folks they isolate themselves and become more vulnerable to predation. There is protection in the company of good citizens. Unknown vandals are just that — unknown. But surely the locals who walk there every day and so appreciate the loveliness are not unknown.
This is very much not in the spirit of inclusiveness we mostly enjoy in Idyllwild. A huge section of land in the heart of the town has now been placed out of bounds for all.
The owner of the camp might compare herself to Mr. Horace Hahn who helped rock climbers avoid the lengthy Deep Springs Trail to Suicide Rock by building an alternate route at his own expense across his property to the Rock Climbers’ Trail. This is public-spirit.
I know some of the women who walked the outskirts of Idyllwild Pines and they count among the most hard-working, generous-minded, contributing and giving people in Idyllwild. They are not “strangers” who bring “danger.” How silly. They all pick up after their dogs, and some of them pick up other trash as well, trash perhaps left by campers.
I don’t imagine this action will stop vandalism and it won’t endear the owner to many honest Idyllwild residents.
I would assume that child campers have counselors and the camp has security personnel and that their young clients aren’t unattended, right?
I wish Idyllwild Pines to reconsider their actions and embrace the tradition and personality of this peaceful, quiet community. This can lead to a spirit of good will and sharing rather than one of exclusion.
I know most people of Idyllwild will do their very best to help the camp achieve its goals of safety. A compromise could easily be worked out toward a happy ending.
Erin Beck
Fern Valley
