Despite having nearly 12,000 signatures and hearing from a group of nearly two dozen residents who oppose to having the beaches closed, the St. Johns County Commission unanimously voted Tuesday to extend the county’s declaration of emergency for another week – a move that will keep everyone off the beach.
For now.
County officials currently are looking at ways to get people back on the sand and in the water as soon as the threat created by the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. Many hope gates will be re-opened soon.
“One of the things we have to be careful with is putting us back where we were,” said county administrator Hunter Conrad. “But we are making preparations for a limited opening. To the extent, we don’t know yet.”
A primary reason the beaches were closed on March 29 was the influx of residents from surrounding counties, as well as visitors here on spring break. Beaches in Duval and Flagler counties were closed, and that created a logjam of foot and car traffic along State Road A1A.
“The effect on other beaches being close put our population at risk,” he said.
Eric Hires, an avid surfer who lives on Anastasia Island, collected online signatures through change.org. He’s also served as spokesman for “The Surf Community.”
“Our lives are connected with the beach in this community,” Hires said. “It’s a place to clear your mind. I believe in whole health, not just our bodies. There is spiritual health.”
Conrad closed the beach parking lots on March 23 to keep beachgoers from congregating in the lots. The county then closed the beaches six days later as a response to massive crowds that crammed through several access points. Cars were lined up on the sides of roads, particularly A1A for miles.
Conrad said the county will remain vigilant in protecting its residents, but admitted it was addressing details of removing the padlocks.
“There are plans being made in preparation by law enforcement, health professionals and emergency management of what that reopening would look like,” he said.
Hires’ petition called for limitations. He doesn’t want to risk the community’s safety by his desire to get back on his surfboard.
“If one person dies from this, then I don’t want the beaches opened,” he said. “That would be foolish. I think there are a lot of things that are dangerous. There is a risk. But why is the county’s golf course still open? Why are they selling flowers at Lowe’s and Home Depot? Are those essential?”
Residents have mixed reactions to re-opening the beaches.
Taryn Peterson and her friends, Cadee Cooper and Anna Shepherd, have turned their attention away from the sandy shores to taking long walks. Last Saturday, the three used the entrance to Mickler’s beach parking lot as a turnaround for their 13.1-mile hike.
“The beach should be closed,” Peterson said. “We’d all like the beach to be open, but it’s too risky. So, we’re walking a half-marathon. We’re still getting outside. We all want the beaches open, but right now, it’s not smart to do it.”
Peterson was sent home from Tulane University by the coronavirus. The school is in New Orleans, one of the hardest-hit cities for death and sickness created by COVID-19.
“I have a friend who’s had family members die,” she said. “This is serious.”
Shepherd said she was on the beach the day before they were closed. She said she’s happy to change plans to help prevent the virus from spreading.
“The beaches will re-open once this virus is gone,” she said.
A woman riding her bicycle said keeping the beaches closed is “a crime.”
“The weather’s beautiful,” she said. “You should be outside. We haven’t been able to leave our house except to take walks and ride our bikes. You live on the beach for a reason.”
According to the Florida Department of Health, as of Tuesday afternoon 176 people in St. Johns County have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. Two have died.
Of that group, 65 live on or near the beaches at Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, Palm Valley, Sawgrass and South Jacksonville.
