YORK, Maine (NECN) - Residents of York say they're prepared to go to court, if necessary, to protect public access to a gorgeous stretch of coast line. 

On Saturday, townspeople voted 2,314 to 722 to defend their access to the historic Cliff Walk. 

Generations of Mainers and visitors alike have walked along the two mile pathway that connects Harbor Beach to Cow Beach.

Among them long time York resident Bill Wieting.

"York is a picturesque town. There's no getting around that," said Wieting. "But the jewel in the crown is this walk."

The existence of this historic path is mentioned in the deeds of the 44 ocean front property owners whose land the path traverses... but two years ago two property owners Milton Peterson and Richard Rubin put up fences across the path without consulting the town first--effectively cutting off access to two-thirds of the scenic walk. 

YORK, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Police are investigating a single-car crash that left a York man dead Saturday afternoon.

Police said 48-year-old Timothy Gerald was driving just before 3 p.m. on Route 91 in York in the area of Kingsbury Lane when his car ran off the roadway and went into a ditch.  Gerald's car then struck a large tree, rolled over, and came to a rest off the northern side of Route 91.

York police said Gerald was pronounced dead at the scene.  

Gerald's dog was riding in the passenger seat and was taken to a local veterinary hospital.

York Village Fire Department, York Beach Fire Department, York Ambulance, and York police all responded to the scene.  

Route 91 was closed for several hours Saturday between Scotland Bridge Road and Birch Hill Road.  

The cause of the crash is under investigation.  It's being reconstructed by York police.

Ken Capron is an intelligent man. I got that right away when we met recently. His gaze was strong and focused and he was quick and articulate when he answered my questions. I only knew he had dementia because he told me ahead of time. I had the same experience with Donna Beveridge. Since her diagnosis, she’s even become an accomplished artist and is chronicling her life with dementia in watercolor.