About a half-dozen beach-access advocates went before the Dana Point City Council to complain Monday night about what they consider an injustice: the continued presence of gates restricting access to two Strand Beach pathways.

City Attorney Patrick Munoz called the speakers’ accounts of the situation inaccurate.

The complaints were repeats of others the Surfrider Foundation and area residents have made since a June ruling by a San Diego County Superior Court judge ordered Dana Point to seek California Coastal Commission approval for two gates restricting access to the Mid-Strand beach pathway at Strand Vista Park and the Central Strand path at Veterans Memorial Park. Judge Joan Lewis said the city shouldn’t restrict the access until it gets the OK from the commission, a state regulatory body charged with protecting the ocean and coastal areas.

The city erected the gates more than a year ago after declaring a public nuisance at the two paths, which lead to Strand Beach through the upscale Strand at Headlands residential development. Police officials warned of teenage alcohol and drug use and sex parties if the restrictions were not set. The gates are unlocked between 8 a.m. and either 5 p.m. or 7 p.m., depending on the season.

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The Surfrider Foundation filed a lawsuit against the city, challenging the restrictions. Despite Lewis’ ruling, in which she said the city’s rationale for locking the gates was based on speculation, the restrictions are still in place.

Some locals have dubbed the situation “Strandsgate.”

“I wish you guys would really consider granting the California Coastal Commission’s wish to open (the gates) beyond those hours,” said Elena Lulu Erkeneff, a 15-year-old who attends Dana Hills High School and surfs.

“I know I’m a kid and it’s hard to say kids follow the rules and whatnot, but I love going down early before” the gates open, she told the City Council.

Henry Chou of Rancho Santa Margarita said he also likes to surf early in the morning.

“I’m at the beach prior to banker’s house, so (the hour restriction) makes it very difficult for me to surf,” Chou said.

Munoz noted that two other pedestrian paths to the beach north and south of the Headlands development do not have gates and are legally accessible from 5 a.m. to midnight. To get to those points, beachgoers must walk about a quarter-mile from the Mid-Strand access.

“To give the impression (that there is no access) is completely false,” Munoz said.

None of the council members commented about the matter.

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Contact the writer: blevine@ocregister.com, twitter.com/danapointnews or 949-492-5135