There are a number of Squamish residents who are quietly enjoying the community's newest treasure.
The quiet secluded spot that is being discovered by more and more people is a sandy beach that previously wasn't accessible to the public. Since the handover of the Nexen lands, the beach on the Nexen property is much easier to get to and, as best as I can tell, there is nobody discouraging visitors from our little piece of heaven.
Getting to the beach is relatively easy. It requires a walk of about five minutes. The trail starts outside of the security fencing at the end of Galbraith Avenue on the east side of the Nexen property.
There is a well-worn path that runs southward along the fence to the docking facilities on the Nexen land. At the end of the fence, those who worship sun and sand simply cross the asphalt surface toward the Squamish Terminals and there it is: a sandy beach that extends along the southwestern edge of the Nexen lands.
The beach comes complete with chirping birds, driftwood, massive root systems deposited by the tides, sandy tidal pools and sand fleas. At high tide there isn't much beach, but when the tide is out the Nexen Beach is an oasis for a community that has waited far too long for a nice seaside beach.
Those who are familiar with the area know the potential it has for becoming a true people place. If the vision set out in the recent charette process that played out in Squamish is realized, the beach area will one day be the primary access to Howe Sound for kiteboard enthusiasts and windsurfers.
While the beach is great, the scenery around it is amazing. To the west is the towering Tantalus Range. To the east is the dramatic Grand Wall of The Chief. To the northwest Mount Garibaldi touches the sky. To remind us that industry still drives the B.C. economy, massive freighters wait patiently as they are loaded with pulp at Squamish Terminals just across the water from the beach and plumes of smoke hang like soft pillows above the pulp mill at Woodfibre.
The setting is amazing and Nexen Beach is a truly wonderful place to be.But the journalist in me keeps wondering as I describe this amazing place if going there is a danger because of the pollution that still exists on the property.
The nagging uncertainty just isn't strong enough to keep people away from Squamish's best stretch of oceanfront beach.
This is a good time to take advantage of the scenic hideaway because once waterfront development begins and the beach becomes more accessible the beach will attract visitors by thousands each summer.
