Caye Caulker Leaders Defend Public Access to The Split

The Split has long been one of Caye Caulker’s most recognizable public spaces, but now questions over who controls access to the area have sparked concern among residents, ferry operators and village leaders. The Caye Caulker Village Council says it is stepping in after reports surfaced that ferry operators serving the north side of the island were being asked to pay more than one thousand dollars to use the area near the Lazy Lizard. In a statement today, the council said it has opened discussions with Lazy Lizard management and representatives connected to the property. But village leaders also made it clear that they were not consulted before those reported discussions took place, and as far as they know, no ferry operator has paid or agreed to pay any access fee. The Council is now pointing to past property surveys, saying the boundaries do not extend all the way to the outer edges of the Split or the sea wall. For that reason, it says it has no intention of changing or restricting public access to the area. Area Representative Andre Perez has also joined the effort, saying a meeting is being arranged with the property owners to find a peaceful solution while protecting residents, businesses, visitors and the ferry operators who rely on that key access point.

 

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