Plans to close the Bings Landing boat launch for three weeks in June have been postponed, Flagler County officials announced May 26.
The closure was scheduled to allow for the boat basin to be dredged, increasing the depth of the deepest areas of the basin, according to a press release from the county.
The dredging was supposed to begin the first day of June, three-week closure of the park’s boat ramp drew a strong reaction from local businesses, which criticized the timing of the decision.
In a press release, Interim County Administrator Adam Mengel said the decision came after the local government received “feedback from our local commercial and recreational boating industries.”
“We have decided to postpone the dredging until after Labor Day,” Mengel said.
Mengel also clarified that the county consulted the Florida Inland Navigation District (or FIND), “which is responsible for this project’s funding support,” before changing the project’s start date.
The project, meant to increase the depth of the deepest areas of the basin, will be rescheduled sometime after Labor Day, officials added.
Community pushes back against Bings Landing boat launch closure
One local organizations to voice its concerns was the Flagler Sportfishing Club.
In a May 22 Facebook post, the day following the original announcement, the club said the decision, “right at the start of summer,” would “directly impact local families, anglers, charter captains, tourism, and small businesses throughout the Hammock.”
“Bing’s Landing is one of the most heavily used access points to Matanzas Inlet and shutting it down during peak season is the worst possible timing,” the post read in part.
The local Hammock Bait & Tackle shop, as well as Michael John (owner of FunFloat LLC, a local boat rental business based in Palm Coast), shared in the sentiment online.
After receiving feedback, Flagler County Chair Leann Pennington also addressed the matter on her social media page.
“Due to scheduling and permitting adjustments, the Bing’s Landing dredging project has been postponed until after Labor Day,” Pennington wrote. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work through the timing of this much needed improvement project.
“In the meantime, we hope everyone enjoys a safe and wonderful summer on the water, whether you’re boating, fishing, or simply enjoying all that Flagler County has to offer. Have a safe summer!”
Where is Bings Landing?
Bings Landing is located within a maritime oak hammock in the Hammock, on the west side of State Road A1A.
Lying along the Intracoastal Waterway, the county purchased Bing’s Landing in 1989 using Environmentally Sensitive Lands funds.
The 8 acres encompass “a state-of-the-art boat launch, fishing pier, picnic and playground facilities, and an archaeological dig of the Mala Compra Plantation,” according to the county’s website.
What activities can you do at Bings Landing?
Other activities offered at Bings Landing include:
For information, visit flaglercounty.gov/Things-to-Do/Find-a-Park/Bings-Landing.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Bings Landing boat ramp won’t close in June; dredging postponed
Reporting by Brenno Carillo, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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