The saying that “one person can ruin it for everyone” might become the unfortunate case at the popular Bakers Bridge hangout spot, where vandalism and trespassing have become an increasing problem.
Bakers Bridge, about 15 miles north of Durango where East Animas Road (County Road 250) crosses the Animas River, has long been a popular place to read, picnic and get together with friends along the banks of the river.
But recently, large amounts of graffiti have appeared at the popular hangout, including on the rock walls of the scenic cliffs.
For the more adventurous, Bakers Bridge is also an infamous spot to take a more-than-40-foot plunge into the Animas River.
The problem, as it has been for years, is that while the bridge is on a county right of way, to hang out or jump requires one to leave the road and trespass on private property on either side of the river.
Butch Knowlton, longtime local and director for La Plata County’s Office of Emergency Management, said attempts over the years to keep people out of the area, like putting up a fence, have all failed.
“Property owners have cared and been very upset about trespassers coming off the county road and going down to the river,” he said. “But it’s difficult to keep people out of there, and I think they’ve probably given up.”
Attempts to reach surrounding property owners were unsuccessful Thursday.
The main hangout area, however, is an approximately 2-acre tract with no structures. It is owned by the Frink Family Living Trust, which, according to county records, appears to be run by Albert Frink, a Newport Beach, California, resident who the Los Angeles Times once called a “manufacturing czar” who served in the George W. Bush administration.
Chris Burke, spokesman for La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, said recreation at Bakers Bridge has increased in recent weeks, and with it, reports of trespassing and vandalism.
The Sheriff’s Office on April 25 received a report of rampant graffiti, and property owners nearby have contacted the office to report increased traffic stopped on the bridge.
As a result, the Sheriff’s Office plans to increase patrols at Bakers Bridge throughout summer.
“All chains, ropes or straps tied to the bridge for swinging shall be confiscated,” Burke said in a statement. “The Sheriff’s Office wants people to remain safe and to not trespass on the bridge, or the property on either side.”
Burke said bridge jumpers also tax emergency responders. Some people have required rescue, and some who don’t know how to swim have taken the leap and have been pulled by the current, he said.
The worst-case outcome, Knowlton said, is vandalism will prompt the property owner to take more heavy-handed measures to keep people out.
And if that happened, the public would lose one of its most beloved and historic spots, where Paul Newman and Robert Redford were filmed for “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
“A lot of property owners won’t say much, but there’s those few people who do stupid and disrespectful things,” Knowlton said. “It’s unfortunate, because the property owner there didn’t care, but I’m sure he does now with the vandalism.”
jromeo@durangoherald.com