- October 31, 2024
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As Mother's Day weekend approaches, Volusia County welcomes beachgoers with several newly reopened and renovated beach access points.
Just in time for the holiday weekend, the county has completed the Hurricane Dorian Mitigation projects and reopened the Kingfish and Mary McLeod Bethune Beach ADA walkovers in the unincorporated area of Bethune Beach. Additionally, the Minerva Vehicular Access ramp in Daytona Beach Shores has undergone permanent repairs. Although temporary, a new dune walkover at the Wisteria Off-Beach Parking lot in Daytona Beach is now ready for use until a permanent fixture is built. Earlier Friday, the new Sun & Surf Park in Daytona Beach also opened its gates to the public.
With the onset of sea turtle nesting season this month and several nests already laid, visitors should avoid disturbing the nests and turtles. Photography and observation are permitted around marked nests, but entry into these areas is prohibited. Additionally, Sea Turtle Lighting regulations are in effect, requiring coastal property owners, including renters and those visiting, to close blinds at night and minimize outdoor lighting. Nighttime beachgoers should also limit the use of flashlights and cell phones to prevent disruption to the turtles.
To effectively manage the anticipated surge in visitors this weekend, coastal construction vehicles will be prohibited from using the county's beach access ramps. Construction projects on adjacent upland properties, not requiring heavy machinery, will still be permitted to proceed as planned. Regular construction activities along the coast may resume on Monday.
Due to the forecasted warm weather, beachgoers should stay hydrated and apply sunscreen. For safety, swimming in the ocean should only occur near staffed lifeguard towers. Furthermore, alcohol, glass containers, and front-elevated vehicles are prohibited on the beach, and dogs are not authorized except in designated areas marked with signage.
For details on pet-friendly areas, visit www.volusia.org/dogbeach. To get the latest information on which lifeguard stations are staffed and to find open beach access points, download the Volusia Beach app or go to www.volusia.org/beach.
