Patrick Space Force Base has renewed and replenished its beaches to provide better access after severe erosion.
About four miles of shoreline along the former Patrick Air Force Base has been backfilled with 450,000 cubic feet of sand pumped from shallows about five miles east of Cape Canaveral.
Some Patrick Beaches also have new beach crossings built by the US Army Corps of Engineers, as well as newly planted sea oats that reinforce the dunes.
Patrick Beach’s fourth restoration since 1998 was part of a larger $ 48 million renovation project that replenished the coast from Cocoa Beach to Sebastian Inlet.
Launched in 2019 as a partnership between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, the project distributed 1.9 million cubic feet of sand dredged by California contractor The Dutra Group from an area known as Canaveral Shoals II . A hopper dredger delivered sand to the coast through a temporary pipeline and widened the beaches by about 18 meters.
After Patrick Beaches were widened in January, dredging began on the Brevard South Reach project area, which extends 3.8 miles from Flug Avenue in Indialantic to Spessard Holland Park. The Corps also expanded the southern section of the county’s North Reach project area, primarily in Cocoa Beach between 2nd Street North and Patrick. Both projects were completed by April 30th to coincide with the start of the sea turtle nesting season.
A separate emergency dune restoration project that added sand and sea oats to eroded beaches between Spessard Holland Park South and Sebastian Inlet State Park was completed in the spring.
“These renovation projects help to maintain the vitality of an area and protect valuable infrastructure,” said BOEM Deputy Director Walter Cruickshank in a press release.
The Department of Defense funds paid for the work on Patrick Beach, while federal funds went to support North Reach. Federal and county funds covered the South Reach project area and Mid Reach project work for Satellite Beach and Indian Harbor Beach, which was completed in 2020.
Some parking spaces on Patrick Beach were temporarily closed while workers at five locations rebuilt seven crossings. A new walkway on Hangar Beach meets the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act and has a ramp to the beach.
The new sand may initially be a different color and texture than the sand it replaced, but over time it will match the existing sand. Officials said the sand shouldn’t interfere with sea turtle nesting.
Recent visitor Google reviews of popular Patrick Strand sites have been overwhelmingly positive.
“Not really white, rather light gray, but soft and almost perfect for water fun and sun time,” wrote Clint Massie about sand on 2nd Light Beach.
“The sand was smooth and easy to walk on,” said Tables Beach reviewer Anna Smith.
Comments are closed.