Two Monterey residents approached the town’s board of aldermen seeking a partnership to implement safety measures at Bee Rock Overlook.
Resident Caleb Harris said he is a welder and fabricator and wanted to help improve safety at Bee Rock after hearing about the tragic death of a 9-year-old boy who fell a few weeks ago. Harris said he knows that the boy did not just jump off the cliff.
“He must have fallen and just lost his footing, probably, and just rolled off, most likely,” Harris said. “But if something was there or some kind of rail or something to catch him, he would have lived. The family would have left with their child.”
Harris said he knows the big concern with adding safety rails is that it might take away the natural experience that Bee Rock offers. Harris said if done right, safety rails would not hinder the viewing experience.
‘Most handrails are between 36 and 42 inches [high],” Harris said. “42 inches would definitely be a safe height as far as still getting your visibility, and still be safe enough where children and people can comfortably walk close to the edge.”
Harris presented the aldermen with a packet outlining cost estimates for installing the safety railings, saying he believes the project could be completed at a reasonable price. Mayor Alex Garcia said the town would consider a potential partnership.
“What I can tell you is that we are in a partnership with TennGreen over there,” Garcia said. “So we can take what you said into consideration for sure, and we will discuss that and make that decision.”
Harris said while a tragedy like this may never happen again, installing safety rails would provide added protection and give the community greater peace of mind.