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Tag: Manatee County beaches

Natural Resources Director discusses state of beaches

Beach improvement projects coming

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island beach renourishment is scheduled for 2026-27 at federal expense, but Manatee County must pay to stabilize Gulf Drive, install offshore erosion control breakwaters and repair the Longboat Pass jetty, the county’s beach official said.

During a joint meeting of the Manatee County Commission and the Town of Longboat Key on May 7, Manatee County Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker gave a presentation on storm recovery and beach renourishment.

“Our contract with the federal government says if we lose the beach to a hurricane or a single major event, what’s called an emergency condition… the federal government will return to rebuild your project at 100% federal cost including putting in dunes to replace the ones lost,” Hunsicker said. “So we’re in a very fortunate position Island-wide, but that still leaves us with the full burden of cost for these other features at Coquina and Cortez Beach.”

Beach renourishment

The first Anna Maria Island beach renourishment was in 1992.

“Up until 1992, 9 miles of Anna Maria beaches left us only 30% of the beaches you could walk at high tide,” Hunsicker said. “If you weren’t here then and you see our healthy beaches now, you wonder why are we in this strong effort to keep these beaches healthy and continue to nourish. Because this is the end point when our nourishment stops. The erosion effects on our Island is day to day. Storm or no storm, we are losing about 10 feet a year to erosion.”

“We’ve continuously stayed with the projects ever since, with help from our federal partners as well as state partners. Of course, we have a program with the city of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach area that is supported by the Army Corps of Engineers,” Hunsicker said. “The Bradenton Beach area called Coquina and Cortez Beach are not federally supported because they are recreational beaches. There’s really no value behind that sand for a federal interest to protect.”

Hunsicker said there is talk that FEMA may not participate in funding recreational beaches.

“That would be a dramatic shift in responsibilities to the State of Florida and local governments who have recreational beaches,” he said. We have to ponder that as we think about our future budgets.”

Gulf Drive stabilization

Hunsicker addressed Gulf Drive stabilization to protect against storm surge and damage such as that caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

“The Gulf Drive stabilization, this was and still is a non-engineering structure. It’s there to protect wave runoff and protect this road from getting washed away,” Hunsicker said.

He said the current structures were placed in the early 1960s and he showed a slide which stated that Hurricane Helene storm surge and overwash caused severe damage to dunes, the revetment and the roadway.

“Because they were not engineered with a planning permit, we’re not going to get any assistance from FEMA or any government agencies to replace what was there,” Hunsicker said. “So we’re going to need to come back with an engineered structure designed to accommodate our knowledge of rising sea levels over decades and also provide the protection we’re going to need.”

Hunsicker said the choice of materials to protect the road is either rock or seawall.

“The downside is we can’t get through any of these processes without committing about $20 million along that Cortez Beach road section,” he said. “So we put in for a grant application and other activities. We’re going to be trying very hard to make that happen, but remember that $20 million is for that section of Cortez Beach. We really don’t have an alternative.”

Cortez Beach groins, Longboat Pass jetty

In 1957-58, perpendicular erosion control structures called groins were placed on the shoreline of Coquina Beach, Hunsicker said.

“They have deteriorated to the point where it’s not only an embarrassment from the standpoint of a beautiful beach, but is actually a safety hazard,” he said. “If a small child is on this side and the lifeguard tower is on this side, you can’t see them.”

The county is working on a plan to build four offshore breakwaters to deter erosion.

“We have to provide the same erosion protection and our plan coming up next year is to remove all these structures and substitute an offshore breakwater system that will continue to protect the beach but will give a complete and free clear run for public safety, for beach enjoyment, all the way to our central holding pier,” Hunsicker said.

At the south end of Coquina Beach, “The jetty is almost 70 years old. This has held up about as long as it can. We’re going to be removing some of the cross ties, putting in additional rock and a sheetwall right here behind it to be able to continue to rely on this jetty from keeping Coquina Beach from washing up into Longboat Pass,” Hunsicker said. “That’s the purpose of this jetty, to protect the navigational integrity of Longboat Pass to the Gulf of Mexico.”

Red tide affects Manatee County waters

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County has issued an alert for the presence of red tide in local waters.

Based on samples taken Nov. 7, a red tide bloom in varying degrees was shown at Bayfront Park, Coquina Beach South, Longboat Pass/Coquina Boat Ramp and Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) red tide status map on Nov. 17 showed a range in concentrations from very low at Rod & Reel Pier to medium at Longboat Pass.

Red tide is a type of algal bloom caused by high concentrations of Karenia brevis, a microscopic algae found in the Gulf of Mexico.

Wind and wave action can break open K. brevis cells and release toxins into the air, according to the health department. People should monitor conditions and use caution when visiting affected water bodies. Those in coastal areas can experience eye, nose and throat irritation during a red tide bloom. Some individuals with chronic respiratory conditions, like asthma or chronic lung disease, might experience more severe symptoms.

Red tide typically forms naturally offshore, commonly in late summer or early fall, and is carried into coastal waters by winds and currents. Once inshore, nutrient sources may fuel growth, according to the health department.

Soon after Hurricane Ian hit, some areas to the south of Manatee County experienced high levels of the toxic algae and local water quality experts were uncertain whether or not it would spread to the north.

“I never predict,” Dr. David Tomas- ko, executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, told The Sun in October. “Hopefully, this doesn’t get bigger. The wind is out of the west pushing water toward shore – that’s not going to help us.”

According to the FWC on Nov. 17, “Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received over the past week in Southwest Florida in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.”

Also on Nov. 17, the FWC website stated that respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported over the past week in southwest Florida in those same areas.

“Red tide toxins can also affect the central nervous system of fish and other marine life, which can lead to fish kills and increased wildlife strandings or mortalities,” a DOH press release stated. “Eating contaminated seafood can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in humans.”

“Please note that it is safe to eat shellfish that are commercially harvested and sold in fish markets, restaurants and other outlets,” the Mote Marine website states. “Florida has a well-established monitoring program for all commercial shellfish beds and these beds are closed when affected by red tide or other environmental conditions.”

For local shellfish harvesting status results, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The FWC collects and analyzes red tide samples and results are updated daily. Status updates are issued twice weekly during blooms.

To hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state, call the toll-free hotline at 866-300-9399.

To report fish kills, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute on the FWC reporter app, call 1-800-636-0511, or report online.

The DOH warns the public to take the following precautions in and around affected areas:

• Look for informational signage posted at most beaches.

• Stay away from the water.

• Do not swim in waters with dead fish.

• Those with chronic respiratory problems should be especially cautious and stay away from affected locations as red tide can adversely affect your breathing.

• Do not harvest or eat shellfish, distressed or dead fish from affected locations. If caught live and healthy, finfish are safe to eat as long as they are filleted and the guts are discarded. Rinse fillets with tap or bottled water.

• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and fresh water if you have had recent contact with red tide.

• Keep pets and livestock away from and out of the water, seafoam and dead sea life. If your pet swims in waters with red tide, wash your pet as soon as possible.

• Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner, making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications.

• If outdoors near an affected location, residents may choose to wear masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

To get answers to questions about red tide and its effects, contact the health department in Manatee County at 941-748- 0747.

County leaders refuse to increase police beach funding

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – A request for funding to the city’s police department to help cover the expense of beach patrols was approved by Manatee County leaders, but the approved amount wasn’t as much as city leaders hoped for.

During an Oct. 11 commission meeting, Holmes Beach Police Department (HBPD) Chief Bill Tokajer said that $46,412 had been offered to the city as compensation for officers patrolling the county-owned Manatee Beach and Kingfish Boat Ramp. While the amount is the same as was given to the department the previous year, it didn’t include the increase that city leaders were hoping for.

Tokajer said that the funding doesn’t come close to covering the more than $250,000
per year in manpower and other costs officers have documented and presented to county commissioners in the past. He said he’d spoken to Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes and was told that despite delays to the project, city leaders were being blamed for the loss of grant funding for renovations at Kingfish Boat Ramp and, as a result, no increases in police funding were being considered.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said with increases in costs over the past year, the county offering the same amount of money as in the previous fiscal year was actually defunding the patrols.

The issue of funding for HBPD patrols of county properties is the latest chapter in a list of ongoing problems between the city and county.

Utilities turnoff questioned

As Manatee County prepared for impacts from Hurricane Ian and evacuations were called for on Anna Maria Island, county leaders announced that water would be turned off to the Island the afternoon prior to the anticipated arrival of the storm. Tokajer said in a statement that he had called county officials to ask them to delay the turn off of water and sewer utilities to allow those services to continue for first responders who would not yet be evacuating.

During a Sept. 27 press conference about the storm and evacuation process, Hopes claimed that Tokajer had contacted him to request utility services remain on for residents who weren’t evacuating. Hopes went on to state that he would not be extending the time for the utility turnoff because he didn’t want to risk damage to the county’s utility infrastructure. Hopes also urged residents to take the storm and evacuation orders seriously.

A week after the storm passed, Titsworth issued a statement on Oct. 5 through the HBPD’s social media page stating how proud she was of city staff for their assistance to residents and property owners before and after the hurricane. She also publicly commend- ed the city’s residents for heeding the evacuation orders and leaving prior to the storm. During a Sept. 27 commission meeting, city leaders had even joked that the storm had fixed the traffic problems on the Island due to so many people evacuating.

Kingfish defunding questioned

The battle over utility turn-offs prior to Hurricane Ian was preceded by disagreements over why county officials were forced to return grant funds for planned Kingfish renovations. Hopes and county commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge both stated during public meetings that the renovation plans had to be abandoned because permits were being held up in the city’s building department. Hopes said the permits Department of Environmental Protection couldn’t be extended another time. County staff members also noted during a commission meeting that the grant funds couldn’t be extended either.

Titsworth said in a city commission meeting that the city doesn’t have the power to hold up permits, nor had that happened in the case of Kingfish. She added that the city’s building department staff had been working with county members for months to get the permits approved and continued working on the permit applications after being told by county leaders that the project would be put on hold.

Issues between the city and county stem back to when Van Ostenbridge first took
the dais and demanded that Titsworth and city commissioners end their resident-only permit parking program near the beach and allow public on-street parking for beachgoers throughout the city. City leaders refused to change their stance on public parking on residential streets, stating that Holmes Beach has more public parking spaces than the other two Island cities and that they won’t sacrifice residents’ quality of life.

No-Swim Advisories lifted at Manatee Beaches

No-swim advisories lifted at Manatee beaches

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Beach, Featured, Outdoors.

MANATEE COUNTY – It’s safe to go back in the water.

The no-swim advisories that have been in place since July 26 were lifted Wednesday morning for Bayfront Park north, Manatee Beach north, Coquina Beach north and the south side of the Palma Sola Causeway. Lifting the advisories means that bacteria counts have dropped to acceptable levels and that the public can once again safely enter these waters.

“The flag system has nothing to do with bacteria in the water.” – Christopher Tittel, Florida Department of Health communications director

As a participant in the Healthy Beaches Program, the Department of Health-Manatee collects water samples at select beaches each week. The samples are then sent to labs to determine whether or not levels of enteric (fecal) bacteria – which can cause disease, infections or rashes – are acceptable based on EPA standards. If levels are unacceptable, a no-swim advisory is issued; the advisory is lifted once the levels read as acceptable.

According to Florida Department of Health Communications Director Christopher Tittel, the cause of the bacteria was rain and runoff that washed animal feces into the water. Recent heavy storms have churned up the sand beneath the surface; this mixed with extremely warm water is believed to aid in the elevated levels.

DOH-Manatee received test results from samples taken at all four beaches on July 26 that show an elevated level of enteric bacteria.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Manatee Beach there appeared to be some confusion about water safety as many beachgoers were in the water. Some cited the green flag, indicating low hazard, flying above the lifeguard station. The flag system is a warning system for rip currents or stinging marine life.

“The flag system has nothing to do with bacteria in the water,” Tittel said.

At Manatee Beach, the Department of Health advisory was posted at the base of the lifeguard station. The sign said in part, “High bacteria levels swimming not recommended.  Increased risk of illness at this time.”

Additional information about the Healthy Beaches program can be found by calling 941-714-7593, or by visiting the Florida Department of Health’s website at www.FloridaHealth.gov and selecting Beach Water Quality under the Environmental Health tab of the navigation bar.

Bradenton Beach issues parking enforcement announcement

Bradenton Beach issues parking enforcement announcement

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News, Featured.

BRADENTON BEACH – In anticipation of Easter weekend, the city of Bradenton Beach has issued a public service announcement regarding parking enforcement.

“Parking to be strictly enforced. Barricades and closed municipal parking lots. While under a declared local state of emergency, law enforcement will be strictly enforcing illegal parking and unauthorized vehicles in barricaded areas. C.O.B.B (city of Bradenton Beach) will be issuing tickets and may use the services of authorized towing companies,” the city’s public service announcement says.

“Please do not park your car illegally. Please do not disturb any barricades. Please do not park in the First Street North municipal parking lot or the Coquina and Cortez county beach parking lots. If you have been towed, call the C.O.B.B Police Department at 941-778-6311,” the public service announcement says.

Bradenton Beach issues parking enforcement announcement
The city of Bradenton Beach issued this public service announcement Thursday afternoon. – City of Bradenton Beach | Submitted

Island-wide concerns

Earlier in the day, the Holmes Beach Police Department issued a public service announcement pertaining to parking enforcement.

During Thursday afternoon’s telephonic Anna Maria City Commission meeting, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy referenced that announcement that he said he had only recently been made aware of.

At 11:27 a.m. on Thursday, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer emailed Murphy a copy of the Holmes Beach Police Department’s public service announcement.

“Wanted to give you a heads up on our plan for parking. We are hearing that people are planning to come to the beach for Easter Weekend willing to take a $50 parking ticket,” Tokajer wrote in his email to Murphy.

On Wednesday evening, an informal message that originated from the city of Holmes Beach was shared with city officials in Bradenton Beach. That informal message addressed concerns about the possibility of “people planning on filling up cars with people and taking the parking ticket to go to the beach this weekend.”

That shared information contributed to the city of Bradenton Beach issuing its public service announcement Thursday afternoon.

In response to what was happening elsewhere on the Island, Murphy told the Anna Maria commissioners he would be devising a contingency plan that afternoon with Sgt. Brett Getman from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit.

Murphy said that contingency plan would address any potential impacts the parking enforcement efforts taking place in Holmes Beach might have on the city of Anna Maria and its residents.

As a last resort, Murphy said he could consider establishing a checkpoint at the entrance to the city of Anna Maria that would limit access to the city and result in some vehicles being turned back toward Holmes Beach. Murphy said he does not want to take that action, but would consider it if absolutely necessary.

In 2017, Murphy briefly limited access to the city during the initial cleanup efforts associated with Hurricane Irma.

Bradenton Beach issues parking enforcement announcement
The parking lot at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria remains closed. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Beaches closed?

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.”

The county announcement resulted in the public parking spaces at Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach being closed. It also resulted in the public parking lot at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach being closed.

However, local law enforcement agencies in all three Island cities are still allowing people to gather on the Island beaches in groups of less than 10 people and gather at least six-feet apart from other beachgoers and groups.

Local law enforcement officers conduct regular patrols of the beaches, but they have not been ordering people off the beaches or issuing citations to those on the beaches, many of which are located near street end beach access points.

Bradenton Beach issues parking enforcement announcement
The Coquina Beach parking lot in Bradenton Beach remains closed. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Related coverage

Holmes Beach parking closed for beachgoers

Coquina Beach parking limited

Coquina Beach south parking lot closing Monday

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Health.

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

Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com

Bean Point in Anna Maria 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

Anna Maria beach March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com

Bradenton 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

Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach March 21-22. - Troy Morgan | PhotosFromTheAir.com

Anna Maria Island beaches 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

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.”

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
“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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Island beaches ‘closed’ but still accessible
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.

Manatee County beaches remain open

Manatee County beaches remain open

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Archives.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As of this evening, there were no plans to close Manatee County’s public beaches on Anna Maria Island.

Sarasota County beaches also remain open as of tonight.

This afternoon, the city of Tampa announced its public beaches were closing tonight at sunset. This evening, the city of Clearwater announced it was closing its public beaches on Monday, March 23.

On Anna Maria Island, Manatee County’s public beaches are the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach and Coquina Beach and Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach. The county also maintains Bayfront Park, which is owned by the city of Anna Maria.

There are also numerous public beach access points along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, many of which are located at city street ends in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach.

Manatee County’s position on keeping the beaches open was first expressed by County Administrator Cheri Coryea on Monday, March 16, in an email she sent to city and town officials in Manatee County. Coryea also stated the beaches would remain open during the County Commission’s emergency meeting later that afternoon.

Today, the status of the county beaches was discussed by county and city officials during the weekly Emergency Policy Group meeting chaired by Manatee County Public Safety Director Jacob Saur.

After today’s meeting, Coryea distributed a written recap of the meeting. According to Coryea’s recap, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth suggested reducing the Manatee Public Beach parking lot to 50 percent capacity – an action that was not taken.

“Holmes Beach Mayor said that today was much better at the beach. All other municipalities agreed,” Coryea’s email recap said.

According to Coryea, an Amber Alert was issued to cell phone users clarifying the social distancing policies included in Governor’s Ron DeSantis’ Tuesday, March 17 Executive Order.

“I direct parties accessing public beaches in the State of Florida to follow CDC guidance by limiting their gatherings to no more than 10 persons, distance themselves by 6 feet and support beach closures at the discretion of local authorities,” the Governor’s executive order said.

Coryea’s email said existing digital message boards would mention the social distancing guidelines and signs would be placed “all over the beach” reminding people about social distancing.

Her email recap said county personnel, as possible, would use four-wheelers to travel up and down the beach using a bullhorn to repeat the social distancing message.

A banner that says, “Make a Difference/Keep a Distance” that would be towed behind a plane flying along the Anna Maria Island coastline was discussed but not implemented.

According to Coryea’s email, there are also no plans to implement a county curfew.

“Not needed yet,” her email said.

Mayor’s suggestions

When contacted this evening, Mayor Titsworth discussed her beach-related suggestions and the conversations that took place at Wednesday’s meeting.

“I was wondering if we should cut the public beach to half capacity parking just to make it so there’s not as many people in such a small area, but that would be a hard thing for the police to enforce because there’s several entrances into the beach,” Titsworth said regarding the Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach.

“I was getting complaints that there’s so many people on the beaches. Before the meeting today, I had the Chief (Police Chief Bill Tokajer) go up and down the beach and look for groups larger than 10 and for people staying apart from each other. He was pleasantly pleased that everyone seemed to be in smaller groups, and everyone was keeping their distance. He felt he was comfortable with it,” Titsworth said.

“The café’s already gone to half capacity, so they’re working hard on that,” she said in reference to Governor Ron DeSantis’ executive order ordering all Florida restaurants to reduce their capacity by 50%.

“During the meeting today, I said it looked like it was way better than it was on the weekend, but we have another weekend coming up and we’re going to have to keep monitoring it,” Titsworth said.

“The county wasn’t ready to do anything. John Chappie (the Bradenton Beach mayor) wasn’t ready to do anything. So, we said let’s continue monitoring because every day’s a new day. We also said if we find neighboring beaches are going to start closing – which would draw more people to ours – we’ll have to look at that as well,” Titsworth said.

Regarding the Tampa beaches being closed and the St. Petersburg beaches closing on Monday, Titsworth said, “That’s probably going to have an effect on ours, which is too bad. If people can self-disperse it at least gets them outside, which is healthy. You hate to have everybody trapped in climate-controlled environments, especially with all these kids.”

Anna Maria beaches

On Tuesday, March 17, Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said he had no intentions to close the city beaches. He said the city doesn’t have the resources to enforce city-wide beach closures.

Paid Island parking rejected by local leaders

Paid Island parking rejected by local leaders

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – If there’s one thing the leaders of the four Island cities, including Longboat Key, can agree on, it’s that they don’t support paid parking at Manatee County beaches or at county boat ramps.

Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore attended the April 9 Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting, held at Bradenton Beach City Hall, to gather the opinions of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key elected leaders before beginning official talks with her fellow county commissioners.

Whitmore said she’s opposed to any paid parking on Anna Maria Island because she feels it takes away from the community feel of the area. If she had to choose a type of paid parking though, she said she’d rather have paid parking at county-maintained boat ramps than at the beaches.

Island community leaders said they’d rather see county commissioners find a different way to deal with the expense of required maintenance at boat ramps than charge people for parking.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said she feels that there isn’t enough parking available at the county-maintained boat ramps, including Kingfish boat ramp on Manatee Avenue, to contribute in any real way toward the millions of dollars it takes to periodically renovate boat ramps.

Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie agreed, saying that there are only about two dozen parking spaces at the newly renovated Coquina boat ramp, not enough to be a good financial source for the county.

Whitmore said the county relies on general funds, West Coast Inland Navigational District (WCIND) grants and funds from boater registration to pay for maintenance and upgrades to the county-maintained boat ramps. Because of the limited amount of funds available, she said the county is behind on needed repairs to boat ramps like Kingfish and is now looking at spending a lot of time and money to get the newly-acquired Palma Sola boat ramp, located on the southwestern end of the causeway, back to a safe operating state. A large-scale renovation at Kingfish boat ramp also is on the horizon.

Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jake Spooner said that he’s not in favor of paid parking, tolls or anything that might discourage families, particularly those with limited financial means, from enjoying the outdoor activities offered for free at the local beaches and boat ramps.

“It’s not just about the money,” he said. “There’s other ways of finding the money.”

Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek added that having paid parking at public beaches would push parking into nearby residential neighborhoods, adding to the strain already felt by residents due to the increasing tourism on the Island.

Though the city leaders did not support paid parking, they did support signage for the Cortez Road and Anna Maria Island bridges that would alert motorists to parking availability at boat ramps and beaches.

While Whitmore pointed out that many people would ignore the signs, West Manatee Fire Rescue Commissioner Al Robinson said that even if only 5 percent of people turn around rather than crowd onto the Island’s streets when parking is full, the investment in the signs, controlled by local law enforcement, would be worth the funds.

Whitmore said she’d ask the county and the Manatee County Tourist Development Council about funding for the project.