By Dan Moffett
County parks and recreation officials have been trying for years to put together enough money to give a much-needed overhaul to Ocean Inlet Park Marina at the Boynton Inlet.
With a boost from the penny sales tax increase voters approved in November and some government grant money, a $6 million renovation plan is finally moving forward.
The bad news is that it’s moving very slowly.
Eric Call, the Palm Beach County director of parks and recreation, says his department has a backlog of projects and the Ocean Inlet Park renovation may not begin until 2023.
But Call says he’s hopeful the county can reorganize other projects according to priority, and perhaps start work on the inlet marina upgrade within the next three years.
In fact, on Aug. 14 it cleared one of its first administrative hurdles when the Ocean Ridge Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved plans drawn up by the county’s consultant, Alan Gerwig & Associates of Wellington.
The Ocean Ridge Town Commission is expected to give its approval at the Sept. 11 town meeting.
Project designers have emphasized two important points: The park hasn’t had significant work done since it opened 30 years ago, so a major facelift is needed; and the overhaul won’t increase the park’s capacity or increase traffic.
“The proposed improvements at the park will not add any additional facilities or expand existing facilities,” according to the county consultant’s plan. “Therefore, the number of park users is not expected to change from the current conditions.”
Among the project’s main features:
• Replacing the existing marina structures with new bulkhead walls and docks. The total number of boat slips will remain at 28. A floating wave attenuator will protect the marina from waves and boat wakes.
• Demolishing the existing buildings and replacing them with a single building that will include a second-story residence for a dockmaster/caretaker. “Having a PBC Parks employee based in the park will help with traffic control and security issues,” the consultant says.
• County sheriff’s personnel will continue to be stationed in the new building.
• Plans also call for improved landscaping that includes planting of shade trees for picnic areas and footpaths.
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