Flagler County enhancing beach access

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Flagler County is rolling out mats at several beach entrance points to create better access and protect sand dunes. 

The installation is expected to be completed this week at nine access points in unincorporated Flagler County. 

Officials say the mats make it easier for everyone to get to the beach, including people in wheelchairs. Amanda Rabe, who was spending time on the beach near the Jungle Hut Road access point Wednesday, says it also makes a family trip to the sand smoother. 

“Obviously with the kids… when you pull them out of the car and you’ve got your buggy and everything, you just want to get to the beach without you know, sweat,” Rabe said. 

The county says the other function of the mats has to do with sand dunes. Officials are hoping a clear path to the ocean will help keep people off of them. They say signs that say “Dodge the Dunes” are also going up near the mats. 

“As long as people are made aware that they shouldn’t be trampling all over these baby plants while we’re trying to get these dunes re-established” said beach goer Jodi Duley. 

The project coincides with the county’s efforts to restore the sand dunes. Officials say as of Monday, 5.75 miles of dunes have been fortified and 300,000 sea oats have been planted.