Beginning in March, the construction project at Mickler’s Landing Beach promises to add a few extra amenities to the busy access.
According to Billy Zeits, the interim director of St. Johns County Parks and Recreation, the project will widen the walkway, remodel the showers and bathrooms, landscape the area, repave the parking lot and install a shade pavilion. In addition, Zeits said he is anticipating the project to increase the number of parking spaces.
“We know how in demand that parking lot is,” Zeits said. “It’s been the goal to improve how people access the beach.”
Zeits added, however, that until the parking lot construction begins, he won’t know for sure if they will be able to increase the number of spaces. The county is working to improve emergency vehicle access in addition to resurfacing the parking lot.
Zeits said he sees the shade pavilion as a place where beachgoers can dry off before getting in their cars or wait for the shuttle service when it’s running.
The walkway construction is currently active, although Zeits said the project had to be stalled for a bit while they worked out the best approach to deal with erosion issues.
“Because we don’t know the type of damage the walkover could sustain and the coastal construction control line is further back from basically where the water line is, we went for a wider and little bit shorter walkover to accommodate the public,” Zeits said. “We could build it out all the way to where it used to be but it’s going to get damaged right away. … So, we are trying to take a pragmatic and thoughtful approach.”
While beachgoers have been able to enjoy the access during the construction of the walkway, there will be times when the Mickler’s lot will be closed for construction purposes.
“(During) the project there may be periodic closures,” Zeits said. “Which the county will announce. We really appreciate everyone's patience while we work through the project. We always encourage people to be patient when looking for parking and be patient when coming off the beach because we know that it is a really busy parking lot.”
Zeits said the county plans on announcing the date of completion for the project next week.
