ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County’s public beaches will reopen Monday morning.
During today’s emergency county commission meeting, Manatee County Commissioners voted 7-0 in favor of reopening the county beaches on Monday, May 4.
The commission decision means Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach and Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach will reopen Monday morning. It also means the public beach parking lots that were closed on March 20 will be reopened Monday morning.
Parking at the public beaches will be limited to two hours. County Administrator Cheri Coryea said some portions of the beach parking lots will remain closed to limit the number of available parking spaces.
Local law enforcement and county code enforcement officers will have the authority and the ability to issue parking citations to those who extend their beach stays beyond two hours.
Coolers, umbrellas, beach chairs and items of that nature will be allowed. Social distancing guidelines are to be maintained and the public restrooms will be open.
The opening of the beach concession stands will depend on what Gov. Ron DeSantis has in mind for Florida restaurants. His executive order limiting restaurants to takeout and delivery service only expires on Thursday. DeSantis is expected to announce his reopening plans on Wednesday.
During the commission meeting, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie sent Commissioner Carol Whitmore an email expressing his concerns about enforcing the two-hour parking limit. Chappie questioned the demands the two-hour limit will place on the Bradenton Beach Police Department and law enforcement officers.
Coryea said she and her administration would be working out additional details on Wednesday.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County’s public beaches on Anna Maria Island are closed until further notice as of Friday, March 20.
Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com
Bean Point in Anna Maria March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com
Anna Maria beach March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com
Bradenton Beach March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com
Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com
Anna Maria Island beaches March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com
Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com
The beach closures are a precautionary measure being taken because of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
On Thursday, March 19, Manatee County issued a press release that said, “County and municipal officials today announced that the beaches of Anna Maria Island will close tomorrow, March 20, at 6 a.m.”
“Resort guests, those who live on the Island and those who can find a legal public parking space outside of those areas that are closed will still have access to the beach at this time. We still want you to keep the six-foot distance and no groups larger than 10.” – Lt. John Cosby, BBPD
The press release also said, “Manatee County lifeguards will remain on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to ensure the safety of those who disregard the closure. A double red flag indicating no swimming will fly from lifeguard stands.”
The gates at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach remain locked. – Joe Hendricks
The county-owned parking lots at Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach closed Friday morning as announced. So did the parking lot at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach. The gates at Coquina Beach and Manatee Beach are locked and signs affixed to the gates say, “Beach closed.”
The ungated Cortez Beach parking areas along Gulf Drive South are closed and blocked by barricades, plastic tape and “Beach closed” signs.
The Cortez Beach parking lots in Bradenton Beach are closed. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Intended enforcement
Thursday afternoon, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer issued a press release in response to the county’s announcement.
“The Holmes Beach Police Department and Code Compliance Department are enforcing this policy by eliminating public parking. We will continue to proactively patrol the beach to be sure our residents and guests are following the guidance of social distancing. Many additional parking areas will be changed to no parking zones. The enforcement guidelines will change based on the daily observations,” according to Tokajer’s press release.
These Bradenton Beach police officers were stationed at the main Coquina Beach entrance Friday morning. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Lt. John Cosby, of the Bradenton Beach Police Department, said, “Resort guests, those who live on the Island and those who can find a legal public parking space outside of those areas that are closed will still have access to the beach at this time. We still want you to keep the six-foot distance and no groups larger than 10.”
Cosby and Tokajer said they had no plans to close the street-end beach accesses.
The beach accesses in Holmes Beach remain open. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
On Friday morning, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy issued an email addressing the city of Anna Maria’s beach closures.
“Although our beaches remain closed to the general public, they are open to residents and their guests while practicing safe social distancing. There are sheriff deputies as well as city and county code enforcement officers posted at many beach access points to enforce and clarify this position,” according to Murphy’s email.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells addressed the beach closures during a county press conference Friday afternoon.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells said law enforcement does not want to arrest people who enter the closed beaches. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“First and foremost, I want to assure the citizens of Manatee County that we are not out on the beaches trying to arrest people who do show up there and maybe have not received the message. We are asking for voluntary compliance. We are not there trying to incarcerate people for walking on the beach. That is not the goal,” Wells said.
When asked for further clarification on the extent of the beach closures, Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Nick Azzara said, “In the announcement we sent yesterday, when we closed the beaches, we tried to make clear that this was largely a self-policing exercise and that we were relying on our residents and visitors to make a good faith effort in heeding those warnings. We’re asking people to avoid the beaches.”
Manatee County Public Safety Director Jake Saur said there were no plans to close the county boat ramps.
The parking lots at the Coquina boat ramps are supposed to be used by boaters only. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Tour of the beaches
The Sun made a tour of the Island beaches on Friday.
At Coquina Beach late Friday morning, two officers and two vehicles from the Bradenton Beach Police Department were stationed at the main entrance where the gate was open so the free Island trolley could continue making its regular stops.
The beach concession stand was closed and there were only two people walking the shoreline of the otherwise empty beach.
Across the street, the North and South Coquina boat ramps were open to boaters. Manatee Beach Patrol personnel were stationed at the entrances to both boat ramp parking lots and they turned away those who sought to park there for non-boating purposes.
To the north along Cortez Beach, there were people on the beach, but not in large numbers.
The beach between the Moose Lodge and the BeachHouse restaurant in Bradenton Beach had a moderate number of beachgoers. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Slightly north of that, there were people on the beach between the Moose Lodge and the BeachHouse restaurant, some in the water.
At approximately 3:45 p.m., there were fewer than a dozen people at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach and the central part of the beach was empty. The beach areas south of Manatee Beach were much busier.
The central section of Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach was empty Friday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Because of the executive order that Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Friday afternoon limiting Florida restaurants to takeout service only, the tiki bar was already closed. The AMI Beach Café and gift shop closed later that day and remains closed until further notice.
Two blocks north of Manatee Beach, the 45th Street beach access was open as usual. There were people on the beach, but not in large numbers. The beach areas north of the 45th Street beach access were much busier.
The beach north of the 45th Street beach access in Holmes Beach was very busy Friday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Those entering the city of Anna Maria at the north end of the Island are now greeted by a digital sign that says, “Beaches closed.” A similar sign stands near the new City Pier.
The Bayfront Park parking lot is closed and blocked by “Beach closed” signs and plastic tape.
There are two new mounted “Beach closed” signs at the entrance to the North Bay Boulevard beach access that leads to Bean Point.
“Beach closed” signs are now posted at beach accesses in Anna Maria.- Joe Hendricks | Sun
Murphy told The Sun he plans to add additional signs that say, “Residents only.” He said city residents may be asked to provide identification and rental guests may be asked to show proof of rental when accessing Anna Maria’s beaches.
Vacationing Wisconsin residents Mary and Ralph Cornell were parking their bikes by the dune walkover before taking a walk on the Bean Point beach.
Wisconsin residents Ralph and Mary Cornell want to continue visiting the beaches while vacationing in Anna Maria. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Regarding the beach closings, Mary Cornell said, “I think it’s the wise thing to do. They’re just trying to keep the number of people down, but it allows the local residents and people like us who stay for a long period of time to walk the beach. We don’t gather in big groups. We just want to be able to see the beach and the sunsets. You have great sunsets here and we really don’t want to miss those.”
There were about 20 people on that stretch of the Bean Point beach, including a few families.
These folks enjoyed the beach at Bean Point Friday late Friday afternoon. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Just after sunset, there were still many cars parked at the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue despite the presence of several “Beach closed” signs.
At 10:30 Saturday morning, an occupied police car from the Bradenton Police Department was parked at the east end of the non-barricaded causeway parking area. There was no one on the beach and no other cars parked on either side of the causeway.
The Bradenton Police Department patrolled the causeway beaches on Saturday. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
When contacted Saturday afternoon, Lt. Cosby said everything was going fine and they had not had any problems.
BRADENTON BEACH – Motorists can expect to encounter delays at some point next week if traveling on Gulf Drive near Fifth Street South and Sixth Street South in Bradenton Beach.
The one-day lane closure of one of the two Gulf Drive travel lanes was previously scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11. Late last week, the lane closure was rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18. On Monday, Feb. 10, Manatee County issued a press release stating the Gulf Drive lane closure is still expected next week, but the exact date was not yet known.
“The date of the work is dependent on the weather and progress of the work crews. An exact date for the lane closure will be announced on the county’s road closure site and on Twitter @manateegov and @PW_Manateegov,” according to the press release.
“The temporary lane closure will begin one morning next week and should be complete later the same day. Motorists traveling both northbound and southbound on Gulf Drive South/SR 789 should allow extra time to get to their destinations.
“Crews working on the wastewater system improvement project are installing a manhole on Gulf Drive just north of Fifth Street South. Due to the narrow nature of the road and limited space available in the work area, the contractor has determined the need for this temporary lane closure to ensure the safety of motorists and workers. Flagmen will be stationed at Fifth Street South and Sixth Street South to manage traffic flow,” according to the release.
Residents with concerns are advised to call Strategic Affairs Manager Ogden Clark at 941-708-7450 ext. 7432 or email him at ogden.clark@mymanatee.org.
When implemented, the temporary lane closure will occur where both Gulf Drive travel lanes are currently shifted to the west to accommodate the work taking place in association with the county’s force main replacement project. Enacted approximately two weeks ago, the temporary lane shifts currently result in southbound traffic being directed onto the unpaved Cortez Beach parking lot.
The New Year got off to a great start on Cortez Beach when as many as 150 people watched and participated in the annual Shamrock Shiver, a fundraiser with a costume contest judged by the audience and participants before they walked into the Gulf waters.
Clancy’s Irish Pub in Bradenton was the sponsor and the proceeds from the entry fee and after-splash party at Clancy’s will go to Caring for Children Charities d/b/a Florida Winefest and Auction.
Unlike those polar bear events up north, the biggest hazard to the splashers was sunburn, not frostbite. The water was warm to the tourists and visitors, but a little too cool to those who live there.
Once again, the costume costume was proof that there is no shortage of insanity when it comes to this annual event. The costumes ranged from a pastor in a robe to a group of Clancy’s employees and relatives with red and white shirts with a “Where’s Waldo” theme. The winner was Robert Nott, dressed in Amish garb. He survived a three-way tie with “Red Tide” Ron Stout, who dyed himself red and vowed to push red tide “out to the deep Gulf,” and the “Where’s Waldo” gang.
Also of note were Paul Devine with an inflatable sea turtle on his back who delighted the crowd by stooping down and dropping plastic eggs on the sand and when everybody else was walking to the Gulf, he scooted along on all fours, leaving his owns unusual tracks. Also, Bill Capilatano wowed them with a cloak over a T-shirt wth a monkey’s face.
It was all in fun and thankfully, the county didn’t have to shut down the beach when “Red Tide” Ron Stout entered the water. He did express his wish that he could get the red dye off his skin.
- Tom Vaught | Sun
- Tom Vaught | Sun
- Tom Vaught | Sun
- Tom Vaught | Sun
- Tom Vaught | Sun
- Tom Vaught | Sun
- Tom Vaught | Sun
The only red tide at this year's Shamrock Shiver. - Tom Vaught | Sun
CORTEZ BEACH – Six new lifeguards in three new lifeguard stands will protect beachgoers beginning next year at Twin Piers, the site of three erosion control structures popular with surfers.
“I can’t wait for the first day those towers go up,” Manatee County Marine Rescue Chief Joe Westerman said. “They will be operated 365 days a year.”
Manatee County also will rebuild the rest of the stands on Anna Maria Island beaches – six portable stands and the two permanent stands at Coquina Beach and Manatee Beach, he said, adding the structures are nearly 30 years old, some with termites.
The new stands should last longer than 30 years, Westerman said, and feature a new, lifeguard-friendly design that prevents glare and increases air flow with solar-powered exhaust fans to help move the air in the non-air conditioned stands.
Construction is expected to begin early next year, with new lifeguards anticipated in April, he said.
Lifeguards are needed at Twin Piers (a third “pier” was added after the name stuck) because the piers cause limited visibility at the popular beach, he said. The county replaced the three crumbling erosion control structures with three permeable, adjustable erosion control groins in 2016 to protect Gulf Drive from stormwater erosion.
Proceeds from the half-cent sales tax increase that raised the county sales tax to 7 percent will pay for the project. The Manatee County Public Safety Department, which includes Marine Rescue, and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office share 15 percent of the proceeds, with 71 percent allocated to transportation and 14 percent to parks and community facilities.
Efforts to use tourist tax funds to pay for lifeguard salaries and infrastructure failed due to state statutory constraints on the expenditure of tourist tax proceeds.
The beaches of Anna Maria Island are in good shape, despite the recent pounding from Subtropical Storm Alberto and last year’s Hurricane Irma. That’s the opinion of Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker, whose department keeps track of the beaches.
“We checked the areas where we thought we might have problems and we found the beach profile held up,” he said. “That’s partially the result of periodic renourishment of the hot spots.”
Hunsicker said erosion was bad along Coquina Beach, where there are old erosion piers that are now buried. He said they might try a mitigation project there.
“It might be changing the profile of the seabed to slow down wave action,” he said. “We need to abate the storm surge to prevent intrusion into populated areas.”
Farther north along Cortez Beach, the three new, adjustable groins called the Twin Piers Project did their job to slow erosion, Hunsicker said. There was also a buildup of sand along the Island’s north shore.
In general, Hunsicker said the damage from Subtropical Storm Alberto was typical, with bad erosion along some areas. But he added that wave action after the storm will help build the sand back up through accretion. The sand that gets washed away by storms usually sits on the seabed just offshore and then gets washed back up onto the beach.
As for any unscheduled renourishment, Hunsicker said the county will monitor what the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say at the end of the storm season concerning the overall impact on the beaches.
