Volusia County is giving Smyrna Dunes Park in New Smyrna Beach a $5 million facelift.
- Smyrna Dunes Park getting $5 million in upgrades
- New fishing pier, boardwalk upgrades
- Phase 2 will include more parking
The 35-year-old park is beginning to show some wear and tear and the county says it could use the upgrades.
The park is home to the Gopher Tortoise and the Southeastern Beach mouse. It's also one of the few parks in Volusia County that allow dogs on a leash.
The county's coastal director, Jessica Winterwerp, says sun and salt have taken their toll on the two miles of elevated wooden boardwalk.
Walking through the park on the elevated boardwalk, it easy to see splinters rising from aged wood.
“There are pretty significant splinters. And with moving to a composite decking, we’ll reduce the splinters and still maintain the beauty that we expect of our park,” said Winterwerp.
That composite decking is made of recycled plastic materials which will be used throughout the park.
The boardwalk will also be widened to 8 feet, making it more comfortable for people to walk their dogs.
Part of that $5 million is also being used to install a new, 300-foot fishing pier.
Park visitor Bob Korn, 75, doesn't believe the county should spend so much money on a park few people know about.
“I’ve been doing this for 20 years. I know exactly what it looks like.” said Korn.
He visits Smyrna Dunes park several times a week to ride his handmade Kayak in the Jetty.
“I’d say spend it on more parking here,” said Korn.
Winterwerp said phase two of the facelift will add parking. And although the upgrades are expected to attract more visitors, the cost of getting in, $10, will not go up.
Winterwerp also said all the work done on the park, which is expected to be finished by this summer, will make it Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.