Bynum Beach Access Update and Potential Middle Haw Hazard

You may have seen recent reports about no-parking signs being posted on Bynum Beach Road, leaving  no place to park when using the Chatham County-owned Bynum Beach Access on the Haw River.

Chatham County developed a set of recommendations in partnership with Recreation Resource Services in the fall of 2020 that would have created designated parking spaces for the access. 

Unfortunately, before these recommendations could be adopted, a group of nearby property owners petitioned the  N.C. Department of Transportation through an attorney to have no-parking signs erected on Bynum Beach and Bynum roads. 

One of the unintended consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been an increase in outdoor recreation, and we have seen photos of cars parked up and down both sides of the road when the weather was nice.  It is unlikely these vehicles belonged to paddlers, but this is what has brought us to the current situation.  

Chatham County was unaware that the no-parking signs were being installed, and we are in an active conversation to see what is next and how we move forward positively with access at Bynum Beach.  In the meantime, access and parking is still available at State Parks’ Bynum Mill access on river left.

In addition to the present parking challenge, there is also a potential hazard on the river right side of the Middle Haw as you near the pedestrian bridge and in the vicinity of the Bynum Beach Access.

The access property itself is small and surrounded by private landowners.  Over the last year, one family has strung a variety of ropes, cables, and no trespassing signs along the river.  These ropes and cables could present a hazard at high water,  and caution should be exercised on the river right side near the pedestrian bridge.  We have pointed out the hazard and potential illegality of the ropes and signs to the attorney representing the landowners and will continue to monitor the situation.