Volusia County to Open Several Off Beach Parking Lots

Opportunities to park, explore and enjoy Volusia’s beaches are being developed along the county’s coastline. Plans for new off beach parking lots are giving residents and visitors the option to drive on the beach or park and walk. The new parking lots include accessible beach walkovers and offer other amenities like picnic areas, shade, outdoor showers, restroom facilities and bike racks.

Beach Parking, Tourism and Traffic

During peak season, it’s common to see cars parked along streets, in front of homes, and clogging the pathways to the ocean. Residential neighborhoods will begin to experience less of this type of traffic. Locals agree off beach parking lots are helping with visitor traffic and give residents the option to explore other beach destinations in Volusia.

“Sometimes it’s easier to drive on the beach with all of our gear,” said a local mother in New Smyrna Beach, “but we worry about the cars and safety. It’s nice we have the option to park at Hiles Boulevard and play on the no-drive beach. It’s a short drive from our home.”

Planned Off Beach Parking Throughout Volusia County

According to Volusia’s Capital Project Report, plans for more off beach parking lots have been approved and several sites are under construction. The parking lot next to the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach and the lot on Hiles Boulevard in New Smyrna Beach are open and ready for use. Below is updated information for these projects:

Ormond-by-the Sea (42 spaces): 1255 Oceanshore Blvd. is now open. At the December 18, 2018 council meeting, the lot was named “Argosy Park.” 

Daytona Beach (70 spaces): 726 S. Atlantic Ave. was named “Sun and Surf Park” at the December 18 council meeting. Construction will not begin until later this year. 

Ormond Beach (124 spaces): 650 S. Atlantic Ave. (previously The Other Place property) is under construction and the project is currently on schedule. Building renovations are underway.

New Smyrna Beach (11 spaces): 16th Ave. construction will begin in 2020. Plans for a small paved parking area including ADA accessible beach walkover, shower and bike rack.

Daytona Beach Shores: Construction is fully funded for two parcels, but due to required state permitting, will not begin until 2020. Both of these lots will be included in the next round of the Capital Project Schedule.

The county council is being proactive with present and future planning. Existing lots are filling up quickly and in some circumstances, driving on the beach is closed and not accessible. The new parking lots give everyone, residents and visitors, more options to enjoy Volusia’s beaches.