- April 24, 2024
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Ormond Beach residents could get more beach access by the start of the summer.
BY EMILY BLACKWOOD | STAFF WRITER
Nothing kills a beach day like no parking spots. But thanks to a quick decision from the Volusia County Council, Ormond Beach residents can enjoy a little more surf and sand this summer.
In the last council meeting, members voted to reopen the beach ramp at Milsap Road, north of the popular Andy Romano Beachfront Park. County Chairman Jason Davis said the reopening of one ramp could cause the closing of another.
"We'll do it. We can open the ramp, no problem," Davis said. "But if down the road we see it pick up more traffic than another ramp then we might have to close one of the ramps that doesn't get a lot of traffic."
Davis also said the beach ramp would cost $26,000 per year to maintain.
Zone 2 City Commissioner Troy Kent has been the spearhead behind the fight for more beach access and said, though he's pleased with the reopening of Milsap, he thinks Ormond Beach deserves one more ramp.
"I'm pleased that they opened it," Kent said. "It shows, in my opinion, good faith, and it shows a step in the right direction. But I want Seminole beach ramp opened, as well."
According to Kent, opening the Seminole ramp would make the distance between beach ramps equal and fair. Still, he sees the opening of Milsap as a victory for residents.
"Ormond Beach has seven beach ramps," Kent said. "Historically, we have one, possibly two that are open. That's just unacceptable. From an economic standpoint, having our ramps closed has been disastrous for our beachside community."
Though there is no set date yet for the reopening of the Milsap beach ramp, Davis said it would be before the beach season started.
