Beach Park Update

Dear Park Shore Association Members:

This special edition of the Park Shore Association’s “Shoreline News” will update you on the condition of the Raymond Lutgert Beach Park and the commitment of your Board of Directors to provide our members and your guests with a safe and memorable beach experience as we recover from Hurricane Milton.

For those of you who have already returned to the beach park, you know that Hurricane Milton deposited up to 3 feet of sand in the beach park that reached halfway to the restroom facility. In its wake were cement benches, signage, a new pathway lighting system, and an irrigation system, all with significant damage.

We hope that the question and answer format to follow, will answer your questions.

Can I come to the beach? Absolutely! As you enter the beach park, you will see a large pile of sand between the Lutgert sculpture and benches along the sidewalk. Please walk along the north (Regent) or south (La Mer) borders of the park rather than over the sand pile. The parking lot was unaffected by the hurricane.

Will there be a new design concept for the park? Yes, the Board envisions a more natural setting of sand and beach plantings. The most significant change will be a single widened center pathway to direct visitors up and over an approximately 4-foot-high pile of sand (called a “berm”). The berm will be planted with natural grasses and other plants to give it greater form and resilience.

Why is the berm necessary? The berm will provide a natural buffer between the beach and the eastern portion of the park where the restroom facility and parking lot are located.

In addition to the new pathway and berm, what are the Board’s other immediate priorities. There are 5 additional priorities:
1. Lighting along the new center pathway;
2. Irrigation for the berm;
3. Plantings for the berm;
4. A functioning foot wash (which miraculously survived the hurricane);
5. The continuing care of the restroom facility.

What is happening with the large piles of sand in front of the Regent Condominium and La Mer Condominium? Both those piles will soon be spread over the beach.

What other changes can I expect? We understand that the County will be funding a beach renourishment project this winter to be followed by the building of a berm of its own to the west of the sidewalk. There is also the possibility that the sidewalk which is crossed as you walk towards the water will be raised. There would be no cost to the Park Shore Association for any of these projects.

Your Board of Directors has concluded that “you can’t fight Mother Nature”. We need to make the park more resilient to future storms. After funding restoration efforts following Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Helene and now more recently Hurricane Milton, we believe that a more natural approach to the design of the park will continue to bring us enjoyment and gratitude for living in Park Shore.

Yours truly,

The Park Shore Association Board of Directors

Now Accepting Orchid Donations

Many of us have orchids that have lost their flowers and have gone dormant. If that is the case with your orchids, and you don’t want to discard them, you can now donate them to our beach park. During the months of April, May, and June we will gladly accept orchid donations for placing in our park. The park would provide spaces for them to live, grow, and show their beauty.

A designated place for all donations will be provided near the restroom building. If the plant is without flowers, please leave a note as to the color.

Many thanks from the Association Landscape Committee.