CORPUS CHRISTI NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR
Bayfront Beaches

The City of Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce that the City’s Corpus Christi Beach (later officially named North Beach) and McGee Beach on the bayfront have together been voted as winners of the 2012 Best Restored Beach Award by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) for the Community Beaches category of the Northern and Western Gulf Coast Region.

Corpus Christi is one of only seven cities in the regional categories to receive the ASBPA award this year.

Each year, ASBPA creates awareness of the value of restored beaches through its Best Restored Beach award. The Community Beaches category is defined as ‘less densely developed beaches backed by low-rise or single-family dwellings.’

For a decade, the ASBPA has recognized communities that have undertaken significant beach restoration projects. Here in Corpus Christi, the City and Texas General Land Office (TGLO) in 2004 co-sponsored the re-nourishment of McGee Beach by placing about 56,000 cubic yards of sand on a 1,800-foot-long section beach. Among other things, this helped widen the beach to about 250 feet. Similarly, in 2001, the City and TGLO undertook a re-nourishment project which resulted in the placement of sand along more than 3,000 feet of beach on North Beach (formerly Corpus Christi Beach). These projects have made both beaches even more popular destinations for both residents and visitors to Corpus Christi. 

“We are honored to be recognized for our restoration efforts to our city’s beaches,” said Derek Herzog, the City of Corpus Christi’s Beach Maintenance and Island Parks Superintendent. He added, “As stewards of our local natural resources, the return on our invested efforts to restore our bay beaches provides positive economic impact. Our beaches are our top attraction for visitors and residents alike. Families find beaches provide them great affordable recreation.”

In addition to Corpus Christi, the other six winners of the 2012 Best Restored Beaches Award in the regional categories are: East Beach, Norfolk, Virginia; Maine Park, Bellingham, Washington; Isle of Palms, South Carolina; Captiva Island, Florida; Kuhio Beach, Hawaii; Sunrise Beach Park, Illinois. The top three “Best of the Best Restored Beaches” in America are West Hampton Dunes, New York; Navarre Beach, Florida; and Presque Isle, Pennsylvania.

In 2010, Corpus Christi’s same two bayfront beaches, North Beach (formerly Corpus Christi Beach) and MaGee Beach, were nationally recognized as Best Restored Beaches.

ASBPA was founded in 1926 with the purpose of promotes the integration of science, policies and actions that maintain, protect and enhance the coasts of America. For more information on ASBPA, go to www.asbpa.org. The award presentation is during the 2013 ASBPA National Coastal Summit in Washington, DC, February 26–28, 2013.

 

 

(Released on 5-2-12; updated on 9-6-12)