After five months of restoration, the popular beach at Pinellas County’s largest public park is set to reopen on Presidents’ Day.  

Fort De Soto Park sustained significant damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. While most of the 1,136-acre park reopened weeks ago, North Beach remained one of the final areas under repair.  

Park Ranger Marina Mullins emphasized the dedication it took to restore the beach for visitors.  

“We’ve been working ten-hour days, seven days a week, to get this place back in shape,” she told WTVT.  

Helene’s storm surge brought an overwhelming amount of debris from the Tierra Verde and Anna Maria Island communities.  

“I mean, fridges, mattresses, full patio sets—things you’d never expect to see washed up onshore,” Mullins described.  

Milton compounded the destruction.  

“It buried all of that debris under about four to five feet of sand,” she explained.  

Clearing thousands of tons of debris required a coordinated effort.  

“Different areas of Pinellas County, Parks & Conservation—us rangers here—along with volunteers and FEMA contractors all pitched in,” Mullins said.  

A sand sifting operation was launched to remove debris along the park’s seven-mile shoreline.  

“We had to replace and repair so much—electrical systems at the campground, building walls, grills, picnic tables,” she added.  

According to county officials, the East Loop and parts of the seawall near the historic site remain closed due to ongoing damage. Visitors are advised to exercise caution and be mindful of others in the area.  

For more information on Fort De Soto Park, click here: https://pinellas.gov/parks/fort-de-soto-park

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(Image credit: Bay News 9)