Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Florida, Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce

VOLUSIA COUNTY

LONG RANGE BEACH PLAN

BACKGROUND

The Volusia Beach Advisory Board is currently preparing a long-range plan for Volusia County beaches. The last long-range plan was prepared and adopted in 1992. This plan should provide for the efficient management of the 40 miles of beach under the jurisdiction of the Volusia Beach Management Department. While it stipulates a variety of goals and objectives, it should also render an approach in how to achieve these goals. In preparing these recommendations, the Chamber understands that values differ among beach users.

POSITION

1) The Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber offers the following recommendations regarding long range plans for Volusia County beaches:

2) Establish extensive off beach parking plan – including no driving, urban, transitional, and natural zones.

2) Beach Ramp Beautification – Allow uniform or independent ramp beautification, taking

into consideration local off-beach buildings, landscaping and location.

3) Guarantee public access to the beach by continuing to provide enough ramps, walkways and off-beach parking. The beach should be accessible for handicapped citizens.

4) Establish full off-beach experience with mini & full service parks that could include rest rooms, showers, picnic area, and playgrounds. Develop funding source for ongoing off beach land acquisition that would include: full service off beach parking areas, beach department headquarters, mini-parks, and multi-use parking garage/restaurant/beach related shops.

5) Emergency call boxes – improve security and safety for all beach users – to assist with disabled vehicles, crime prevention, and especially during the nighttime lighting ban. Establish a plan to have more beach patrol officers on the beach after dark to provide a safe environment for beach visitors.

6) Develop funding plan for adding additional lifeguards during peak seasons and upgrading existing lifeguard stands and towers.

7) Continue development of interactive marine science center in Ponce Inlet (rehabilitation center for beach animals and education tool for students as well as a tourist attraction).

8) Develop a comprehensive environmental program that would: market the beach and Volusia County as a safe, fun place to visit by providing ongoing educational projects and seminars for Volusia County schools; provide educational beach walks for residents and tourists alike; solicit environmental friendly corporate sponsorship for conservation projects; provide guidance for upland property owners on dune restoration and/or sand removal; and produce printed environmental literature (in several languages) for educational purposes for residents, tourists, etc.

9) Place signs at each beach ramp (on the beach and A1A) with a designated number. Signs should be set North-to-South and color-coded according to city. These signs would serve helpful in providing directions for tourists, beach patrol, and others.

10) There should be a guarantee that concessions will remain on the beach in order to serve beach visitors.

11) The Chamber as well as other organizations should initiate a new stage of the Take Part II program to concentrate on beach related issues.

5/2000

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