Local survey shows beaches ready for visitors

By Frances Allday

Our survey of Galveston area beaches shows them recovered from Ike, and so far free of the oil and tar balls plaguing the eastern Gulf. Hurricane Ike took its toll on many of these beaches, but a look at how they are faring now may be a pleasant surprise to beach goers.

Large Memorial Day crowds found replenished sandy beaches for their fun in the sun. As far as the oil spill, RoShelle Gaskins, public relations manager for the Galveston Island Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, tells us, “As of right now Galveston is in the clear. We have been in contact with the Coast Guard and NOAA to monitor the situation. We have web cams on the beaches that show there is not any oil on our beaches.”

The Bureau proclaims: “Twenty months after Hurricane Ike, Galveston Island is back and ready for tourists. After being hit by the third most costly hurricane in the U.S. in September of 2008, Galveston Island’s tourism industry has fully recovered.”

Here is what some of the more popular Galveston beaches have to offer beach goers:

Stewart’s Beach at 6th Street and Seawall Boulevard is a family beach park with umbrellas and chair rentals, volleyball courts, an outdoor pavilion with a snack bar, souvenir shop, restrooms and bath house. It also features a children’s playground and community room.

East Beach is famous for it beach parties and outdoor concerts. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent on weekends. Drinking is legal on this beach. This huge wide open beach allows parking for 7000 cars during events. The beach hosted the AIA Sandcastle Competition this month.

Porretto Beach at 10th Street and Seawall Boulevard is a privately owned beach open to the public. In addition to chairs and umbrellas, it has a bar-b-que and tent area, parking close to the shoreline, and a drop-off service for handicapped and elderly to their umbrella and chairs. To offer a resort feel, a Beach Girl or Beach Boy will take food and drink orders at each rental umbrella and chair.

Galveston Island State Park is located on the west end of the island. Texas Parks and Wildlife has issued a statement on the condition of the park: “Galveston Island State Park was damaged by Hurricane Ike. Beachside and Bayside camping are open. The Beachside Day Use Area is also open and has tables, grills, and rinse-off showers. Restrooms and showers are available on the beach side, and restrooms without showers are available on the bay side.”

Crystal Beach is the most popular beach on Bolivar. It’s known for its beach houses on stilts, many of which were blown away during Ike. In fact, an amazing 61% of the homes on the peninsula were destroyed by the storm.

But Bolivar is on its way back. The Bolivar Blueprint is a plan established by Galveston County and FEMA to help Bolivar in its recovery. Bolivar resident Pamela Couch tells us things are getting better there. “Since our last tragedy, Hurricane Ike, the people of Bolivar have been busy repairing our little paradise to make it better than it once was. Bolivar is booming; stores are open, flags are flying and the awesome colors of the spectacular new homes are all examples of a people returning home. The beaches are beautiful and exploding with families enjoying the great summer passion, ‘going to the beach.’ And should the oil get this far, the officials say they are prepared.”

Ms. Couch operates a website for her community, crystalbeachlocalnews.com.