Martin County - Monday November 21, 2022: Twin Rivers Park is located on the St. Lucie River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Faced with an eroding shoreline, Martin County worked with Applied Technology and Management to stabilize the shore and create salt marsh and mangrove habitat. What was once an eroding shoreline is now a vibrant habitat flourishing along a natural shoreline.
Martin County was recently awarded a 2022 Best Restored Shores Award from the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) for Phase 1 of the Twin Rivers Park Shoreline Protection and Enhancement project.
Phase 1 of the Twin Rivers project was funded with a Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) grant and demonstrates the effectiveness of using natural features to mitigate shoreline erosion while also providing the added benefit of public recreation. Twin Rivers Park is slated for a Phase 2 project to further strengthen natural infrastructure against impacts from erosion and sea level rise.
And with shoreline along both the beach and intracoastal waterway, Martin County continues to bring forward creative solutions to coastal management, so critical to our community. “This is one of many projects our staff is working on to build a more resilient community,” said Jim Gorton, Martin County Public Works Director. “We are actively planning for future conditions and risks by identifying the most effective and fiscally responsible responses to changing conditions.”
Residents can learn more about how Martin County is building community resiliency at www.martin.fl.us/Resilience.
Martin County was one of four recipients across the country to receive a Best Restored Shores Award for 2022. Other projects were Lightning Point Shoreline Restoration Project, Bayou La Batre, AL; Living Shoreline and Wetland Enhancement Project at Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek, Dagsboro, DE and Galveston Island State Park Marsh Restoration and Protection Phase II, Galveston, TX.
“Coastal communities need to creatively adapt to changing conditions. These award winners demonstrate how innovative thought processes, design, and materials result in projects that improve resilience to benefit people and the environment every day,” said Shannon Cunniff, co-chair of Best Restored Shores Award committee.
Residents are encouraged to visit www.martin.fl.us, Martin County’s online resource for services, news and information, and connect with us on social media. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.