On October 11, 2024 the City of Ventura hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for phase two of the Surfers' Point managed shoreline retreat / nature based solutions project. Funding limitations in 2009 necessitated a phased approach to construction, with the first phase completed in July 2011. Phase one, towards the top of the point, included relocation of the bike path and parking lot landward and construction of a man-made cobble berm to stabilize the shoreline. In 2012 sand dunes were constructed on top of the berm using sand imported from nearby Pierpont beach, and seeded with native dune plants.
Phase two will relocate the remaining bike path and parking lot further inland on Fairgrounds property, out of harms way. Shoreline Drive will be widened to provide space for the relocated parking lot and bike path. A similar beach restoration strategy as used in Phase one, a cobble berm and sandy beach/dune area, will be constructed to provide long term protection for the new bike path. Construction is expected to begin in October 2024 and be completed in a few months.
Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included City of Ventura Mayor, Joe Schroeder, Ventura County Fairgrounds Board President, Dan Long, Ventura County Fairgrounds Director, Leslie Cornejo, Matthew Vestuto, Chair of The Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, Paul Jenkin with Surfrider Ventura, and Amu Hutzel from the California State Coastal Conservancy.
Vince Kinsch, Paul Jenkin, Deby Tygell, Bill Hickman, and Zach Plopper help to break ground!