VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Beach parking along sections of Volusia County beaches is closed for the holiday weekend from the Hard Rock Hotel to International Speedway Boulevard.
The decision to shut off sand parking areas was made by the sheriff and county leaders in response to tragic events on the beach earlier this year.
The parking restrictions follow safety concerns after a 2-year-old child was killed in a beach traffic lane in New Smyrna Beach during Memorial Day weekend in May.
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County officials previously shut down parking on the sand in front of off-beach lots during the Fourth of July holiday. According to the sheriff, those sections are where most families park and closing them eliminates children running through active traffic lanes.
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Beach access is further affected this holiday weekend by the closure of the Seabreeze approach due to extensive code violations at the Plaza Resort and Hotel. The approach closure cuts off driving from the Hard Rock Hotel to Seabreeze Boulevard.
Following the Fourth of July changes, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office posted a 16-minute video featuring families who said they enjoyed the parking adjustments and felt safer.
Volusia Beach Safety is evaluating how the loss of beach parking spots will affect traffic and driving conditions throughout the area.
Local businesses are also examining how the reduced parking and driving access could affect tourism over the holiday weekend.
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