Two important beach access improvement projects for this spring have been approved for Sunset Beach NC.
It became necessary to extend the walkways as the sand dunes at Sunset Beach have built up over time. The walkways and stairs have been burried creating difficulties for accessibility for families that have young children and people with physical challenges.
“We are fortunate in Sunset Beach to be one of the few beach strands along the East Coast that is actually gaining sand,” Mayor Ron Watts has said. “These projects are a good problem to have as a coastal town. Extending the public beach accesses means we are not experiencing the major erosion issues that unfortunately are found along most of the coast.”
The First Street ADA Beach Access Widening Project is comprised of expanding the 5-foot width to an 8-foot width and also extending the access 30 additional feet toward the ocean. It also includes extending a ramp that connects with a blue mat which is intended to provide an additional flat surface over the sand.
In addition, the town plans to build its first pergola on the beach access walkway to provide shade and a resting area approximately midway to the beach. This project will also provide an additional ADA access for residents and visitors who rent the Town of Sunset Beach surf chairs.
The First Street ADA Beach Access Widening Project is scheduled for completion on March 25.
The town of Sunset Beach has also begun extending 10 existing beach access walkways. Those beach accesses to be extended include the walkways that are located between 29th Street through 38th Street. The Beach Access Walkover Extension Project is scheduled to be completed by May 23.
Engineer drawings and future updates including a Beach Access Closure Schedule will be available for viewing the town’s government at www.sunsetbeachnc.gov.
Sunset Beach – Beach Acceses:
Alcohol on the beach: Not allowed.
Lifeguards: No.
Pets: Dogs not allowed on beach 8 a.m.-6 p.m. from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Surfing: Not permitted from Fifth Street to 32nd Street.
Parking: Parking available in large lot and auxiliary lots, $7 per day; limited side street parking; fishermen park free.
Online: www.sunsetbeachnc.gov
Sunset Beach Public Beach Access Locations:
1. First Street – Handicap
2. Second Street
3. Third Street – Handicap
4. Fourth Street – Boardwalk
5. Fifth Street – Boardwalk
6. Sixth Street – Boardwalk
7. Seventh Street – Boardwalk
8. Eighth Street – Boardwalk
9. Ninth Street
10. 10th Street
11. 11th Street – Boardwalk
12. 12th Street – Boardwalk
13. 13th Street – Boardwalk
14. 14th Street – Boardwalk
15. 15th Street – Boardwalk
16. 16th Street
17. 17th Street
18. 18th Street
19. 1802 Beach access
20. Gazebo Parking Lot – Handicappped accessible
21. 27th Street
22. 28th Street – Boardwalk
23. 29th Street – Boardwalk
24. 30th Street – Boardwalk
25. 31st Street – Boardwalk
26. 32nd Street – Boardwalk
27. 33rd Street – Boardwalk
28. 34th Street – Boardwalk
29. 35th Street – Boardwalk
30. 36th Street – Boardwalk
31. 37th Street – Boardwalk
32. 38th Street – Boardwalk
33. 39th Street
34. 40th Street – Boardwalk
35. East end of island – Hatteras Ramp for emergency vehicles.
