Posted on February 12, 2025
This last hurricane season, Pine Island Beach was severely damaged. With wind taking out structures and water washing out sand along the shoreline. But plans are in the works to bring back the popular spot.
Along the shore of Pine Island Beach, a calm tide washes over its sand.
“We get, probably, 20 to 30 phone calls a day currently at our office asking if Pine Island has been reopened yet,” said Hernando County Parks and Recreation administrator Rob Talmage.
The tiny, but largely popular beach destination remains closed.
“Storm surge was so high that it actually went over the top of the entry gates here,” Talmage said. “As the storm surge came in, it wiped out a lot of the existing structures that were here. That included the restrooms and, unfortunately, Willy’s.”
But work is underway to bring the beach back, he said. With plans already approved to bring a stronger, more reliable infrastructure along the shore, including a mobile office and mobile restroom facilities.
“We’ll be able to pull out all of these facilities and take them inland so they can weather the storm better,” said Talmage. “An additional benefit to that is we can get it back out here sooner and get the park back opened up quicker than we would if we’d have to repair all of these facilities like in the past.”
He said the hope is to create a more resilient beach and park that won’t be washed out during another storm. It’s also a chance to make a few additions.
“We’re going to add outdoor cornhole boards and then also a new playground that’s going to have a covered shade structure, which is much needed here in the blazing Florida sun,” Talmage said.
He said say the work is moving fast, and he hopes to see the beach reopened by mid-summer.
“The scope of work is being finalized for the rebuild project,” Talmage said. “We hope to get that out on the street for solicitation for bid within the next month or so.”
