SIESTA KEY, Fla. — Some Sarasota County beaches, parks and barrier islands will reopen this weekend after being closed for more than two weeks. County officials announced the news in a press conference Thursday morning.
This is welcome news not only to many tourists but also to business owners and residents who say our beaches are the area's biggest attraction.
The iconic lifeguard stands pushed away to safety just before the hurricanes were pulled back into position on Siesta Beach. The beach is one of the few that will officially reopen on Saturday, but some folks are making an early visit. Locals have been looking forward to the beach's reopening since its closure, especially for the business it brings.
Also on the list of beaches reopening this Saturday are Nokomis Beach, North and South Brohard, and the Maxine Barritt Park on Venice Island.
"It's nice to hear that they're taking that off and opening it back up so that we can get more people because these people need to support their living," Jennifer Hollingsworth, an assistant manager at Daquiri Deck in Siesta Village, said.
Siesta Beach is touted as the number one beach in the nation, and its closure has been disappointing for many who traveled from far away to see it.
"We got here just in time for the reopening, so that's good but I am really sorry and sad to see all the damage and stuff that has been going on down here," Sam Boot-Handford, a tourist from England, said.
For residents overwhelmed by the ongoing clean-up and recovery, the development brings positivity to challenging times for the community.
"It's been a bit of a cleanup on the beach, I feel, from the hurricanes, and seeing a lot more traffic on the island today, the beaches are buzzing again, it's good," said Andrew McLuckie, a former Siesta Key neighbor who was displaced to Sarasota by the storm.
"They need to come back. It's all new-like and very nice," Janet Atkins said.
The re-opening means restroom facilities and concession stands will now be available to people who go to the beach, and lifeguards will now be on duty.
"We made significant improvements over the last 10 days or so to clear sand and here. I think it's a perfect image of Siesta and Sarasota County. We took some hits but like our lifeguard stands we stood right back up and we are excited to welcome people back," Nicole Rissler, director of Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, said.
County officials have advised to check the parks and recreation website to learn which of the 160 parks and beaches, including athletic fields, have partially or fully reopened and which ones are still closed.
"We have some beaches at South Lido, Turtle, and North Jetty that took on a lot more substantial damage and it's going to need more work before we feel it safe and accessible," Rissler said.
The boat ramps at Nokomis Beach, Manasota Beach, and Blackburn Point will also be reopened.
"We'll definitely be out on the beach this weekend with my son and I'm looking forward to Drum Island coming back to the beaches again," McLuckie said.
"This is our home. It's time to give back to the community and for everybody to come together and give back, that is Siesta strong," Hollingsworth said.