A waterfront park on the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail will expand thanks to a deal approved by the Volusia County Council.
The county council unanimously approved spending over $2.7 million from park impact fees to buy about 14 acres to add to Highbridge Park north of the city of Ormond Beach. The park is along the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail, a popular series of roads that spans 34 miles and connects visitors to parks, historic sites and other notable places in the county.
The expansion site is at 4310 John Anderson Drive, adjacent to Highbridge Park at 39 Highbridge Road. The park has a fishing pier, boat ramp and canoe launch as well as a picnic table, barbecue grills, a pavilion and restrooms.
The council swiftly approved the project with almost no commentary.
District 4 Councilman Troy Kent, of Ormond Beach, praised the move by the county.
“This is exactly what Volusia County residents want. They want this type of project in their backyards,” he said.
Kent encouraged people to check out Highbridge Park.
“It is a beautiful, tranquil experience,” he said.
What would the Highbridge Park acquisition accomplish?
Buying the park will allow the county to expand water access for the public, which residents say is a top priority based on surveys, according to the county.
Highbridge Park currently consists of 1 acre and gets crowded, frequently reaching capacity during “peak fishing and boating seasons” and on weekends, according to the county.
“When parking is full, visitors routinely park along adjacent road shoulders, creating line-of-sight obstructions, narrowing travel lanes, and requiring pedestrians with boating and fishing gear to walk in the roadway,” according to the county.
The county plans to add parking as well as expand water access. The county also hopes to get feedback on a draft concept plan for the expanded park. The county council also voted on May 19 to approve spending $150,000 from the Parks Capital Projects fund for startup costs, design and engineering of the project.
The county will seek a grant reimbursement of over $1 million from the Florida Communities Trust. If approved, the county would still own and manage the park.
The seller is Granvil M. Tracy, trustee of the Granvil M. Tracy Living Trust.
What could the expanded Highbridge Park look like?
The county’s draft concept for the expanded park envisions a kayak and watercraft area where people could bring their own vessels or rent them.
“The secondary use would be as a community gathering place to include reflection and education,” according to the plan.
The concept includes a floating kayak launch and ramp, parking, a self-serve rental kiosk for kayaks and paddleboards, a living shoreline walk, native plant education areas, swings, an elevated walkway and a platform for nature viewing and photography.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia’s Highbridge Park to expand by 14 acres, add more water access
Reporting by Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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