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A look at the damage to the concrete and wood supports underneath the North Jetty dock. |
SARASOTA COUNTY – The dock and observation deck at North Jetty Park will be permanently removed next week due to storm damage and the unsafe conditions they present for park visitors.
Both the dock and deck have experienced sustained damage from numerous storms in recent years, including Tropical Storm Colin in 2016 and Hurricane Irma in September. They also suffer continual pressure from the strong tides that run down the Intracoastal Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico.
The dock has been closed for nearly a year while staff evaluated its safety. Photos show the dock tilted. The wood supports are no longer embedded into the existing rock jetty, and the concrete supports are damaged from saltwater intrusion.
“Sarasota County is committed to the safety of its residents and citizens who use its public parks,” said Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Director Carolyn Brown. “We’re sad to see these popular and iconic structures go, but after much careful consideration and consultation with the West Coast Inland Navigation District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we’ve determined this is the only way to ensure the safety of residents and boaters.”
The dock removal is scheduled for Nov. 14 and will take approximately one day. The trolley will be closed both Nov. 14 and 15, but the North Jetty concession will remain open. The full concession will also be available at the park, located at 1000 S. Casey Key Road, Nokomis.
The jetty and seawall surrounding the existing, older concession will continue to provide ample space for park attendees to enjoy the waterfront. Ample docking space for boats remains available near the Nokomis Beach Plaza.
In recognition of the popularity of the dock and its iconic status near the North Jetty Trolley, Sarasota County invites people to share their photos and memories of the dock on the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Facebook page.
For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net.
Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities.
View the complete policy at www.scgov.net (keywords ADA compliance).