County beach facility and access improvements

St Johns County informed Historic City News that the new Vilano Beach walkover, crossing SR-A1A South of 23rd Street, is now open to provide safer and more convenient access to North Beach — for residents and visitors alike.

The walkover improvement is the latest in a long list of beach facility and access enhancements made by St Johns County within the past year to meet the needs of frequent beachgoers.

“In addition to the new walkover, the parking lot at North Beach Park will be expanded this summer to provide more beachside parking,” local reporters were told today.

Beachgoers requiring a ramp can access the beach using the newly installed entrance at the Solana Road access point — a partnership project between the County and the Municipal Service District of Ponte Vedra Beach, this access point is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Mickler’s Beach improvements include new showers, restrooms, and benches. The Pier splash park, a partnership between the City of St Augustine Beach and St. Johns County, also has new showers and restrooms.

Those who want a place to sit will find new benches in several locations donated by students from Pedro Menendez High School. Mike Rosenberg’s carpentry students built five benches for St Johns County beachfront parks.

All the materials, other than hardware, came from leftover walkover-project lumber and were salvaged from the Beach Services yard. Pieces of wood found on area beaches after storms, and other rescued wood were used.

Two benches are located at Mickler’s Landing, two more at Butler Park East, and the largest bench is planned for Nease Beach Front Park.

Photo credits: © 2013 Historic City News archive photograph