GLYNN COUNTY MANAGER S OFFICE 1725 Reynolds Street, Third Floor, Brunswick, GA Phone: (912) Fax: (912)

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1 GLYNN COUNTY MANAGER S OFFICE 1725 Reynolds Street, Third Floor, Brunswick, GA Phone: (912) Fax: (912) MEMO TO: FROM: The Honorable Commissioners Alan Ours, County Manager DATE: April 27, 2018 SUBJECT: Coast Guard Beach Park Master Plan STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Since August 2017 a group of stakeholders (see attached) have worked with WLA Studio to develop a conceptual master plan for the Coast Guard Park, which is located in the East Beach area of St. Simons Island. The team at WLA Studio first conducted extensive research on all aspects related to the Coast Guard Beach Park and similar beach parks along the southern Atlantic coast. The research along with input from the Master Plan Committee was used to develop a conceptual plan, which has gone through many variations. Several public meetings were held to solicit public input, which was taken into consideration when developing the conceptual plan. The Coast Guard Beach Park Master Plan Committee presented a proposed conceptual plan to the Board of Commissioners on March 20, At that time Chairman Brunson requested that the Committee meet once again with the Surf Sailors to try and accommodate their needs into the plan. The Committee met with the Surf Sailors on April 12, The conceptual plan that will be presented to the Board of Commissioners on May 3, 2018 (please see attached) takes into account the recent conversation with the Surf Sailors. Upon acceptance of the Conceptual Plan by the Board of Commissioners the final design will be completed and the Coast Guard Beach Park Master Plan Committee will present the final design, an estimated cost, funding options and an implementation plan in three months. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Accept the proposed conceptual plan for the Coast Guard Beach Park and direct the Master Plan Committee to move forward with the final design. 2. Take no action RECOMMENDED MOTION FOR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: 1. I move to accept the proposed conceptual plan for the Coast Guard Beach Park and direct the Master Plan Committee to move forward with the final design.

2 Countywide Participation Master Plan Committee/Design Review Group Coastal Georgia Historical Society East Beach Homeowners Association Georgia Department of Natural Resources Glynn County (Peter Murphy, Alan Ours) Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau St. Simons Coast Cottages Neighborhood Association St. Simons Land Trust Ameris Bank Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals City of Brunswick Glynn County Government Paul Andrews Dave Austin Lisa Gurganus Aaron Mumford Pam Thompson Jay Wiggins Police Department Fire Department Lifeguards Public Works, site custodial staff Other Organizations Anchor Shipping Company Brunswick News Brunswick-Glynn County Development Authority East Beach Volleyball Club Georgia Department of Economic Development-Tourism Georgia Department of Natural Resources Glynn County Airport Commission Brunswick & Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce Jekyll Island Authority Sea Island St. Simons Surf Sailors

3 Coast Guard Beach Park Master Plan Supporting Materials for May 3, 2018 Board Meeting Update Since Work Session on March 20, As directed by Chairman Brunson at the March 20, 2018 Work Session, the leadership of the Master Plan Committee met with the Board of the St. Simons Surf Sailors on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 3pm. The goal of the meeting was to produce the best plan for Glynn County while considering further discussion with the Surf Sailors. 2. The Coast Guard Beach Park Master Plan Committee/Design Review Group met on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 2pm to review the input from the Surf Sailors and to make every effort to incorporate their wishes while preserving the integrity of the design that will enhance the quality of life for all residents and visitors of Glynn County. Final Master Plan - Benefits 1. The Master Plan Committee has considered wide public input to create a plan that addresses the complex issues that exist in the study area, the main public beach access for the County. To date, we listened to and considered feedback from thousands of individuals through surveys, s and public forums. Please see attached the individuals and organizations from across the County who have worked together over the past year on this vital community project. 2. The new Coast Guard Beach Park will demonstrate the county s commitment to creating a high quality experience and providing wide public access to the beach. 3. Final Master Plan is attached. Park benefits include: Overall Land Use Public area/visitor service area increased to sf (1.45 acres). Currently, the public area is limited to that around the Bathhouse, which is only 17,039 sf (.39 acres) Parking lot size only moderately increased, from 99,005 sf (2.27 acres) to 103,272 sf (2.37 acres), but with increase of approximately 100 spaces. Boat yard space was made more efficient while providing space for 42 sailboats and additional square footage for storage. The parking lot now offers unrestricted public boat and watercraft access to all Glynn County residents and visitors and can accommodate parking for vehicle and boat trailers for day use. Two traffic circles and two public beach access points improve traffic flow on the busy days and will facilitate a future public transportation loop for trolleys and busses. Improves public beach access and increases publicly accessible area along the beachfront. Two equal access points will disperse pedestrian traffic and more evenly distribute people over the beachfront. Environmental Environmental benefits from the plan include improved storm water management and the addition of shade trees to reduce surface temperatures. Storm water management features include porous pavements, bio swales, and large bio infiltration areas. o Capacity to manage a 50-year storm event on site, reducing the amount of water that enters the salt marsh.

4 o Bio swales will collect and filter pollutants from storm water run-off further protecting the water quality of the salt marsh and water table. o Porous pavement will replace the compacted lime rock, which is impermeable and creates dust. Parking lot and public areas will have shade trees and shade structures which will improve the overall experience for visitors and reduce the surface temperatures across the site. Public Use and Facilities Enhances the park by improving safety and diversifying the public accessible amenities. Increases the size of the restroom and allows for easier cleaning during busy days. Provides for a centrally located lifeguard and police contact station, alerting visitors to emergency services. Provides multiple pavilions and multi-use buildings that can become revenue generating rentable facilities. Provides for an equipment rental facility, where visitors can rent beach and water sport equipment. Provides enlarged rinse stations and changing rooms for visitors. Safety Located lifeguards and Police to provide maximum public safety and emergency access. Roundabout for emergency vehicles adjacent to life guard station. Pedestrian walkways from parking lot to beach access points, reducing pedestrian/vehicular conflict. Provide safe paths to beach access points. Provides 10' wide paths into the park, appropriate for bike and pedestrian access. Provides for bike storage to encourage non-vehicular transportation. Parking Increases parking spaces to 329. Increases the entrance driveway to improve traffic flow on busy days. Provides a shuttle transportation system, which will reduce the unregulated overflow of parking into residential areas. Submitted April 26, 2018

5 COAST GUARD BEACH PARK final master plan FIRST STREET 2 1 CLOVER MARSH LANE WOOD AVENUEBRUCE DRIVE EAST BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD HAMBY TRACT EAST BEACH LEGEND 1. EXISTING POCKET MARSH 2. BOARDWALK WITH INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE 3. ENTRANCE PLAZA WITH MUSEUM AND PARK SIGNAGE 4. BUS DROP-OFF 5. ENTRANCE DRIVE 6. WWII HOME FRONT MUSEUM 7. BIOSWALE/DUNESCAPE WITH NATIVE VEGETATION 8. EXISTING LIFT STATION 9. BOAT TRAILER AND LARGE VEHICLE PARKING AREA 10. CENTRAL PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY/BIOSWALE 11. IMPROVED BUFFER/BIOSWALE WITH NATIVE VEGETATION 12. BOAT STORAGE (42 SPACES) 13. RENTAL CENTER, SAILBOARD AND KAYAK STORAGE 14. SAILBOAT ACCESS PATH TO BEACH SEPARATED FROM VEHICULAR TRAFFIC 15. PUBLIC BOAT/BOARD AND SHUTTLE DROP-OFF 16. BICYCLE PARKING 17. SHADE PAVILION 18. PRESERVED OAK TREES/PICNIC GROVE 19. BATHHOUSE 20. SHADE STRUCTURE 21. CHANGING STATIONS 22. RINSE STATION AT BEACH CONNECTION 23. TRASH AND RECYCLING CENTER 24. VOLLEYBALL COURT 25. EXISTING DUNE/TRANSITIONAL PLANT COMMUNITY 26. LIFEGUARD STATION/LIFEGUARD AND POLICE STORAGE PARKING YIELD MAIN LOT: 301 SPACES MUSEUM: 28 SPACES TOTAL 329 SPACES BOAT AND BOARD STORAGE 42 SAILBOATS APRIL 24, 2018 NORTH