Assateague Beach Parking

4/25/2013 Update:

Visitors to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia will soon be able to enjoy easy access to Assateague beaches. The Federal Highways Administration has awarded the contract for repair of parking lots damaged due to Hurricane Sandy. The contract was awarded to Heard Construction, Inc. out of Chesapeake, Virginia. Work to parking lots will begin in about two weeks when bonds have been executed, and supplies and materials are in place. The project is expected to be completed May 24, 2013 in time for what is expected to be, a busy Memorial Day weekend.

Hurricane Sandy did extensive damage to parking in the Virginia district and the community, and refuge and park officials are greeting news of the contract with enthusiasm. Superintendent Trish Kicklighter remarked, "We are all very happy to get this news and look forward to seeing work begin."

3/1/2013 Update:

Late October 2012 Assateague Beach Parking was totally destroyed by a historic storm, Hurricane Sandy. The Hurricane even damaged the road going out to the beach, where it crosses Tom's Cove. Cleanup after the storm took a few months, but eventually both Assateague and Chincoteague Islands were completely restored, with one exception... The beach parking lots that had done so well all summer and most of the fall were no more. Click here for more information about how Hurricane Sandy impacted Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.

Eventually repairs were made to the beach road on Assateague and a small parking area, consisting of approximately 100 parking spaces, was restored at the beach for winter use. The decision was made not to restore the remaining beach parking until spring, due to the likelihood of additional winter storms.

Congress has approved the funding to restore the remaining beach parking. In March 2013 the National Park Service will begin restoring the remaining beach parking. The usual 1,000 beach parking spaces will be restored in time for the Memorial Day holiday.

In the meantime, the US Fish & Wildlife Service continues to work on a new 15-year Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). The CCP will dictate strategies for managing wildlife, recreational uses (including beach parking), and other activities on the refuge. The Fish & Wildlife Service is still in the planning phase of the CCP process. They are due to release three CCP proposals soon. Check back here for updates as the CCP process progresses.

This article was published by Chincoteague.com on 2/17/2013.
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