A push to privatize a beach in the tiny village of Lions Bay, B.C., is causing a divide between area residents.

A group of residents approached the local council last week asking for the small beach, which features picturesque views of Howe Sound, a well-kept lawn, picnic benches and a barbeque, to be made "locals only."

Residents say there are too many late night parties and bon fires and the beach is often left a mess by people who don't live in the area.

Retiree Dennis Welch, who has lived in Lions Bay since 1989, says he has no problem when it's just the local residents and their friends who are using the beach.

"It's just when total strangers come from everywhere in the Lower Mainland that it's a problem," he told CTV News.

"If it was a huge beach then it wouldn't matter, but it's a small beach and you can't even get near your own beach and we have to pay the taxes to upkeep the park."

Lisa Turpin, who has lived in the village for 38 years, says she has witnessed vandalism to the benches and barbeque "that I helped fundraise for."

"What bothers me is the 10 per cent factor that ruin it for the rest of us and we the taxpayers are left paying that bill," she told the council on Monday night.

"We're just a small municipality with a small tax base trying to survive."

Turpin says she has no problem with "outsiders" using the facility as long as they leave it in the same condition as when they arrived.

"It's not that you're trying to cut people out, it's that you want them to be respectful, just as you would be when you go to their home."

But not everyone who lives in the village wants the beach to be made private. Some are worried the debate is giving the village a bad name.

Resident Peter Hefti, who spoke at the council meeting Monday night, said the park should be kept available to everyone, and that he doesn't want to be lumped in with the people who want it privatized.

"I would not like to be classified as a person who wants to keep the outsiders out," he said.

Hefti said that he agrees there are problems with overflow parking when the beach is crowded, but people shouldn't be punished for coming from other areas to use the park.

"We have the advantage as residents that we can walk to these facilities but other people have to come from far away so let's share them please."

Lions Bay council has struck a committee to examine the issue of privatizing the beach.