Glass Beach (Fort Bragg, California) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Glass Beach

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Location	Mendocino County, California
Nearest city	Fort Bragg, California
Area	38 acres (15 ha)
Established	1959
Governing body	California Department of Parks and Recreation

Glass Beach is a special beach in Fort Bragg, California. It's famous for its many colorful pieces of sea glass. This glass comes from a time when people used to dump their trash into the ocean there. Over many years, the ocean waves broke down the glass and pottery into smooth, shiny pieces.

How Glass Beach Was Formed
Visiting Glass Beach
Plants and Animals
- What Lives Here?
What is Glass Beach Made Of?
Gallery
See also

How Glass Beach Was Formed

Early Dumping Sites

Long ago, in 1906, people in Fort Bragg started using a part of the coastline as a dump. It was behind the Union Lumber Company. They called it "Site 1." Many towns near the water used to throw their garbage into the ocean. This included things like glass, old appliances, and even cars. Locals simply called this area "The Dumps." Sometimes, fires were started to make the trash piles smaller.

Moving the Dump Sites

By 1943, "Site 1" was full. So, the dump moved to a new spot, called "Site 2." This site was used until 1949. When "Site 2" also became full, the dump moved again. The new spot, used from 1949 to 1967, is what we now call "Glass Beach."

The Ocean's Role in Cleanup

In 1967, the state and city leaders decided to close these dump sites. Over the years, many cleanup efforts took place. Things that could rot away, like food waste, simply disappeared. Metal and other large items were removed.

But the ocean waves did the most amazing work. They constantly crashed against the glass and pottery pieces. This action broke them down and tumbled them smooth. These small, colorful, rounded pieces now cover Glass Beach. They are often so smooth they look like jewels.

The Three Glass Beach Areas

There are actually three main areas in Fort Bragg where trash was dumped. These are "Site 1" (used 1906-1943), "Site 2" (used 1943-1949), and "Site 3" (used 1949-1967), which is the main "Glass Beach."

Sites 2 and 3 are easy to reach by walking. You can find them at the end of Elm Street and Glass Beach Drive. Site 1 is a bit further south. It became easier to visit in 2015 when a new walking trail opened.

Becoming a State Park

In 1998, the land owner started working to clean up the area. After five years of cleanup, the California Department of Parks and Recreation bought the land. This happened in October 2002. The 38-acre property then became part of MacKerricher State Park.

The main "Glass Beach" (Site 3) is next to MacKerricher State Park. The other two sites are near a new city park area.

Visiting Glass Beach

Rounded glass at the beach

Many thousands of tourists visit Glass Beach every year. It's a very popular spot!

Why Not Take the Glass?

Park Rangers ask visitors not to collect the glass from the section next to the state park. They want everyone to enjoy the beautiful glass that is left. Most of the sea glass can now be found on the other two glass beaches, which are outside the state park area.

During the summer, about 1,000 to 1,200 tourists visit these beaches daily. Many of them collect some glass. Because of this, and because the waves keep grinding the glass smaller, the amount of glass is slowly getting less.

Ideas for Replenishing the Glass

There's an idea to add more discarded glass back to the beaches. Captain J. H. (Cass) Forrington, who runs the local Sea Glass Museum, supports this idea. He wants to help keep the beaches full of glass for future visitors.

Fort Bragg currently sends its glass waste far away to a landfill. However, much of the old glass from Glass Beach was recycled locally. It was used for things like pathways and even in art projects. In 2012, the city leaders talked about adding more glass to the beach. But they decided not to because of the cost and difficulty in getting permits.

Other Glass Beaches

You can find similar beaches in other places too. There's one in Benicia, California, and another in Eleele, Hawaii.

Plants and Animals

What Lives Here?

Glass Beach is home to some special plants. These include a type of Menzies' wallflower. These plants are native to the area and are protected.

What is Glass Beach Made Of?

The sand at Glass Beach is a mix of natural minerals like quartz and feldspar. But it's also mixed with smooth, rounded pieces of glass. These glass pieces are white, brown, and green. Besides glass, you can also find small pieces of tin on the beach.

Researchers are interested in Glass Beach because of its unique makeup. They are even looking into creating similar beaches in other places. This is because the mix of glass and other items can help create a strong and lasting beach. The idea of using recycled crushed glass in beaches has been inspired by Fort Bragg.