LEWES, Del. - The City of Lewes says Savannah and Johnnie Walker Beach will be closed from March 16th to April 10th, to move sand in the parking lots back onto the beaches.
The city says it is trying to complete this work not only ahead of this summer, but before the upcoming horseshoe crab migration season, which is set to start in the coming weeks.
Sand is covering multiple parking spots in the Savannah Beach parking lot.
In some spots in the parking lots, sand is covering entire parking spaces, making it difficult for those to come in and out of the beach access points.
John Schroeder, who lives in Lewes, says he's glad to see the city's efforts after the brutal fall and winter seasons.
"It's understandable what they're going to do, and the fact that it's only going to be closing for a rather short period of time. We can make do," Schroeder says. "We walk here a lot, so there's a lot of other places to walk in Lewes. Then we'll be back here and glad to see a new beach."
Deborah Partlow, who enjoys sitting at the beach during her work break, supports clearing the spots. “For the locals and the economy, it’s something that needs to be done, we need the extra space.”
But for Bill Byrne, he says the timing of the closures is odd.
"Spring break, Easter's coming up. There's a lot of people here on weekends now with the weather getting a little bit nicer. But, there's a lot of sand that's out of place, and the benches and things. So, I guess they've got to do what they've got to do, when they can do it."
The Johnnie Walker Beach parking lot has less sand than the Savannah Beach parking lot. However, some spaces are covered with sand.
Work will start on Johnnie Walker Beach and then move to Savannah Beach. City officials say after renting equipment and paying employees, this job is expected to cost over $100,000.
