'Too many people and too much alcohol.' Why drinking is now banned on Cahoon Hollow Beach.
WELLFLEET — Beachgoers will no longer be allowed to bring alcohol to Cahoon Hollow Beach.
The town has never allowed the consumption of alcohol on their portion of the beach, a 157-foot stretch in front of the parking lot. But the Cape Cod National Seashore, which owns the beach to the north and south of Wellfleet’s property, has allowed visitors to consume alcohol there.
No more.
From May 20 to Oct. 1, the Seashore’s regulations will prohibit the consumption of alcohol and the possession of open containers of alcohol at the beach, according to an announcement issued Monday.
“It’s a function of too many people and too much alcohol on too small a piece of property,” said Suzanne Grout Thomas, the director of community services for Wellfleet.
Cahoon Hollow Beach is one of four Atlantic Ocean beaches operated by the town of Wellfleet, alongside the neighboring property of the Cape Cod National Seashore. All four of the Wellfleet beaches are off Ocean View Drive, which runs about three miles north and south along the coast.
Traffic to Cahoon Hollow Beach has increased 20% each year for six years, according to a town official.
Traffic along Ocean View Drive and visits to the beach have increased 20% each year for six years, according to Grout Thomas. Alcohol consumption, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and urinating and defecating on public property has increased along with it. To safeguard police officers, Seashore rangers, town employees, lifeguards and the general public, the alcohol regulations will be changed in the Seashore Superintendent’s Compendium.
Last year, a group of about 50 people nearly got into a riotous fight after "throwing fists," according to Grout Thomas. The town and the Seashore decided to work together to avert future incidents.
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Seashore rangers have been working in tandem with Wellfleet police for years to curb some of the disorderly conduct, according to Cape Cod National Seashore Chief Ranger Michael Valora. Rangers and police have faced challenges especially during busy holiday weekends when thousands descend on the beach.
Shuttle and party buses continue to bring beachgoers, according to Wellfleet police.
The Beachcomber, a private Cahoon Hollow venue famous for its drinks, food and waterfront views, used to pay for shuttle buses to ferry beachgoers from the town's White Crest Beach parking lot, just south, to Cahoon Hollow. The restaurant stopped doing that before the pandemic. But more and more buses continue to come, according to Wellfleet Deputy Police Chief Kevin LaRocco.
On last year’s July Fourth weekend, about 100 party buses dropped people off at Cahoon Hollow, LaRocco said. Two police officers on all-terrain vehicles work the area during the summer season, but with two officers and 3,000 beachgoers, it’s “controlled chaos,” he said.
Bruce Bierhans, attorney for The Beachcomber, said Tuesday that "as in prior years, The Beachcomber and its staff will do everything in their power to assist Wellfleet PD, the National Seashore or anyone else to maintain public safety as best as possible."
“We’re not trying to stop people from going to the beach,” LaRocco said. “It’s just controlling the alcohol.”
Denise Coffey writes about business and tourism. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Wellfleet, National Seashore band together to stop drinking at beach
