Photos for Headline Surfer / Phased-in beach parking resumes Saturday in Volusia County -- with cars parking at a post to ensure social distancing during this pandemic... Below, Volusia County beach cams at the Dunlawton Avenue ramp in Daytona Beach Shores and at the Flagler Avenue ramp in New Smyrna Beach show how popular beach driving is for parking convenience mid-day Saturday on Mother's Day weekend... County Chair Ed Kelley is shown further down in the story showing support for cars back on the beach.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Vehicle access for parking on the hard sands of the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona and other beach driving locales along Volusia County's coastline resumes today - just in time for Mother’s Day weekend.
A total of 14 vehicle access ramps will be opening to facilitate a limited amount of parking on the beach, the next step in the phased lifting of restrictions that were put in place to help slow people-to-people spread of the coronavirus. To ensure that social distancing is maintained, all vehicles will be required to park in front of a post. Bathroom facilities also will reopen Saturday morning.
“I’m really excited to be able to announce these additional reopening measures,” County Chair Ed Kelley said on Friday as he laid out the changes during an afternoon news briefing at the Volusia County Emergency Operations Center in Daytona Beach. “We’ve been waiting for this.”
“I’m really excited to be able to announce these additional reopening measures,” County Chair Ed Kelley said on Friday as he laid out the changes during an afternoon news briefing at the Volusia County Emergency Operations Center in Daytona Beach. “We’ve been waiting for this.”
The vehicle ramps that will open beginning Saturday are clustered in seven sections of the beach from Ormond Beach south to New Smyrna Beach. With social distancing guidelines still in effect, beach parking in the seven sections will be limited to one vehicle for every post on the beach.
Over the past 10 days, the county has been installing posts in between habitat conservations posts along most of the beach that will be open starting today.
Posts are located at least 25 feet apart in order to prevent overcrowding. Only one vehicle may park at each post.
Violators could receive a ticket or have their vehicle towed at the owner’s expense. Driving will be restricted outside of the parking zones. Social distancing guidelines – a maximum of six people per group, with at least 10 feet of distance between groups of beachgoers – will continue to be enforced.
Where necessary, the parking capacity at off-beach lots will be limited in order to maintain conditions on the beach that are conducive to social distancing.
Beach safety personnel responsible for enforcing the parking rules are hoping for the public’s understanding and voluntary compliance during what traditionally is a very busy holiday weekend on the beaches.
“It is very important for people to realize the opening of the ramps is for beach parking and not for beach driving,” said Ray Manchester, Volusia County’s director of beach safety. “Our beach safety team will be enforcing these parking measures and addressing anyone who does not abide by these rules. As always, we aim to educate violators and expect that everyone will comply.”
Officials also will be keeping a close eye on the weekend weather and tides, which could impact vehicle access and parking on the beach.
High tide will occur at 10:15 am today and 11:06 am on Sunday. With the potential for some larger-than-usual surf conditions this weekend, the drivable portions of the beach could be under water during high tide and necessitate temporary closures to vehicles parking on the beach.
From north to south, the vehicle beach ramps that will open beginning today are as follows:
In addition to 14 beach ramps opening for all vehicle access, the ramp at Williams Avenue in Daytona Beach will remain open for ADA access only. Vehicles must have a handicapped tag or placard to use the Williams Avenue ramp. As always, beachgoers are reminded to swim in front of a staffed lifeguard tower for their safety.
With restrooms and showers opening on the beach and in county-operated coastal and inlet parks, porters will be on hand to clean and disinfect most facilities. However, the public is asked to be respectful of others and help keep these facilities clean.
Headline Surfer infographic / Information on beach parking and how to obtain seasonal parking passes.