St. Johns County is nearing completion of the $2.1-million North Beach Park renovation project in Vilano Beach, with the newly redesigned park expected to open to the public in the very near future. Construction began in January 2025 and is now in the final stages.
The project features a new restroom building, a designated changing area, expanded and improved parking, a new playground with a shade cover and an upgraded walking trail. The park’s new one-way wrap-around layout improves traffic flow, safety and accessibility for visitors. The parking area now offers 105 spaces, an increase of about 20 spaces compared to the previous layout.
A new pavilion and shaded playground now serve as the centerpiece of the updated park. The walking trail has been improved with a coquina path that winds through trees and natural vegetation, offering visitors an immersive and natural experience.
“This renovation brings North Beach Park up to modern standards while keeping the natural coastal setting at the heart of the design,” said Chris Gatchell, project manager for St. Johns County Public Works. “The previous layout was outdated, and this complete redesign ensures the entire space flows together, functions well for the community and creates a place residents can be proud of.”
The park is also home to the well-known pedestrian bridge that carries visitors safely over State Road A1A to the beach.
While the tradition of leaving padlocks on the bridge has long been popular, the added weight poses a safety hazard, as locks could fall onto vehicles traveling below. To support the tradition in a responsible way, St. Johns County has installed a new heart lock wall at the base of the pedestrian bridge. The lock wall features a chain-link fence panel with a red heart centerpiece and a sign reading: “Keep the bridge light, keep love tight — our heart is waiting. Lock it right!”
Final touches are currently underway, including sidewalk mosaic tiles and tile inlays marking the cardinal directions (N, S, E, W) on the pavilion, which is oriented due north.
St. Johns County residents can also reserve park pavilions for events. For rental information, go to sjcfl.us/pavilion-rentals.
Go to sjcfl.us/featured-projects for a full list of St. Johns County capital improvement projects, including detailed information on a project status, timelines and funding.
