Safety and Stewardship on Cape Canaveral Beaches

Safety & Stewardship in the Sand on Cape Canaveral Beaches

CONTRIBUTING WRITER: WES MORRISON Council Member for the City of Cape Canaveral W.Morrison@cityofcapecanaveral.org www.wesmorrison.net

Cape Canaveral’s world-famous coastline has been attracting folks from all walks of life for years. As summer kicks off, it’s important for residents and visitors to remember these safety & stewardship tips.

Plan Your Trip and Know Where to Go:

Popular beach spots in the area are Jetty Park and Cherie Down Park. Both offer public parking and amenities such as bathrooms, showers, and picnic tables. Lifeguards are on duty, making these parks a safe and favorite spot for families.

Cape Canaveral also offers beach access to our residents and visitors where the “streets meet the beach.” Since our beach access streets are located in residential areas, please remember to be respectful of the homeowners and only use designated parking areas to get to the beach.

We celebrate access for all with ADA Mobimats® located at Polk, Monroe, and Buchanan Avenues. These pathways make it easier for individuals of all abilities to get to the water, including persons using wheelchairs, parents with strollers, and those who want more stability on the sand. You will also find that many of our beach crossovers have been improved with new anti-slip applications.

ADA Mobimats® located at Polk, Monroe, and Buchanan Avenues

Watch for Rip Currents:

When I chat with tourists and newcomers to the area, many will comment on fears of hurricanes and lightning. While we shouldn’t downplay their severity, there is another categorized weatherrelated threat far greater for beachgoers: Rip Currents.

NWS Melbourne reports on their website that in East Central Florida, Rip Currents resulted in more weather-related deaths than Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Lightning combined from 1989-2014. Rip Currents don’t pull swimmers under the water; instead, they pull someone out further into deep water. Drownings occur because a swimmer can’t keep themselves afloat and tire out while trying to swim back. Our beach crossovers feature signage about Rip Current Safety and warnings. Review how to spot a Rip Current and what to do if you are caught in one. “If in doubt, don’t go out!”

Play Your Part in Preservation and Protection:

Finding new ways to preserve and protect our natural resources can enrich your beach experience. Here, your family can enjoy the shores, while practicing good stewardship.

Help the Sea Turtles by staying off dunes and filling in holes in the sand. Our vast stretch of beach shore (thanks to a recent renourishment project) gives plenty of room to spread out without trampling the natural habitats in the sea oats and dunes. If kids dig holes for sandcastles, fill them in before you leave. Turtles can fall in and become trapped.

If you walk down the beach, bring a bag and pick up trash along the way. If you spot abandoned toys, instead of tossing them in the garbage, drop them off in our new Community Beach Toy Library on Jefferson Avenue! The City of Cape Canaveral team installed a place for “Mermaid’s Lost Toys” with the help of local Eagle Scouts and Satellite Beach.