Barricades block off metered parking on State Road A1A in Delray Beach, reinforcing the countywide public beach closure. Beaches are scheduled to reopen on May 18 with metered parking along A1A. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
Delray Beach will reopen its municipal beach and Atlantic Dunes Beach on May 18 daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. while lifeguards are on duty.
During this initial reopening, the city is limiting beach activity to walking, jogging and swimming. Surfing, sunbathing, playing volleyball or other group activities are not allowed. No chair and cabana rentals will be available.
The parking meters along A1A will be activated with four-hour limits. Free city resident parking will be available at Anchor Park where IDs will be required. People with handicapped plates can park for free along A1A for four hours.
No beach parking will be permitted in the barrier island neighborhoods.
The public restrooms will be closed, along with the main pavilion at Atlantic Avenue.
Delray Beach is the furthest city south in the county to reopen public beach parking.
“For that reason, our reopening will be ‘slow and cautious’ — allowing the City to solve any unforeseen problems before they overwhelm us,” Mayor Shelly Petrolia said in a May 17 announcement. “Restrictions will be enforced until more surrounding area beaches fully open.”
Petrolia’s statement also said, “We don’t want to repeat the mishaps made in Naples where after opening, they had to close their beaches.”
— Jane Smith
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