Daytona Beach, FL - Mother's Day weekend is always a busy one at the beach so today, Volusia County Council opened up 14 more beach access ramps in addition to the three opened last week.
“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 open tomorrow are spaced out in seven sections from Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach to 3rd Avenue South in New Smyrna Beach. You can see a map of the open ramps by clicking here. The streets that are opening are, from north to south, Granada Boulevard, Cardinal Drive, Williams Avenue, Seabreeze Boulevard, Silver Beach Avenue, Florida Shores Boulevard, Van Avenue, El Portal Street, Dunlawton Boulevard, Beach Street, Beachway Avenue, Crawford Road, Flagler Avenue, and 3rd Avenue.
Restrooms and showers also open tomorrow on the beach and in county-operated coastal and inlet parks. Cleaning crews 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.
Posts are located about 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 is 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 are responsible for enforcing the parking rules. They are asking the public to voluntarily comply with the rules during a traditionally very busy holiday weekend.
“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.”
