Well, I am glad to say having visited regularly since the park reopened, there are noticeable signs of healing finally six months after Georges (3/99). As seen below the walk to the old bridge shows significant ground cover regrowth compared to the same picture three months ago, from the post Georges page (left). The trees still have a long way to go, but it is good to see the basic growth coming back.
(Click on images to enlarge, close picture window to return)
There is now a fence the entire length of the west end beach, both to protect people from the step grade to the water, and to allow regrowth of beach flora, and sand buildup, with many signs asking patrons to use the new boardwalks and steps built, rather than crossing the raw beach. Much of the main area of Sandspur has been fenced as well for renewal protection.
Some of the now missing vegetation also allows for some interesting new views and photo ops. As always, the old Bridge and sunset, makes for a spellbinding combination.
The amphitheater has a new screen, fence, and something new all over the park; bicycle racks. Where there is still sand, the sand sculptors and designers, are again leaving their traces.
Finally on Memorial Day Weekend (8 months after Georges) the east end Sand Spur beach finally reopened to the public. I am glad to say, that while every building was destroyed, (now replaced), the beach itself did much better than I expected. Especially surprising, was though the vegetation suffered badly, most of the sand is still there. The waterline is about 10 0r 15 feet in from where it was, most of the "bar" points are gone and much of the beach is now in the water (which is a bit shallower) but it doesn't seem to have really gone any where, and should ultimately end up back on the beach. There is little ground cover, you can see well into the woods, and most of the mangroves and trees look pretty sickly, but are slowly showing signs of recovery. Only one in the grove of three large palms on the east tip of the island remains. One is snapped in half, and one still lies on the ground. Again most ground cover was scrubbed clean away. I was happy though, to see most unexpectedly, the marvelous old dead tree was still there. Less its smaller limbs and in the water now except at low tide, it is still fascinating to look at. A sight very visible this time of year (summer) is about a dozen or so sea turtle nests, fenced and marked to protect them. Yet one more sign that life will go on at Bahia Honda, slowly ever rebuilding it.
Many thanks to the Park Staff for both their efforts to restore the park, and the many months of managing the sometimes large crowds all confined to just the west end of the island.
Music on this page by Rick Rowan
Contents copyright 1999 by Hayward McKee