LSPOA Beach Benches and Sand Vanish in Storm

What's left of missing beach benches and beach entrance after Sunday's violent storm.

Fallen Australian Pine lies near beach path during high tide Sunday morning

For the second time in the past three months... LSPOA's beach benches have been claimed by high tides. But unlike last October, when the two benches were found buried in sand a few hundred feet away, this time they've vanished into the Gulf. As of Sunday afternoon (January 17th) there was no sign of the two-benches, other than concrete blocks and a steel cable they were tethered to. LSPOA members Bob Lifeso and Richard LaBrie discovered the benches missing shortly after dawn Sunday morning. Labrie verified the benches had been there the day before.

Lee & Kathy Edstrom among last to use benches Friday

LSPOA Member Karen Byles sent in this picture of members Kathy and Lee Edstrom enjoying the sunset on the benches Friday evening, January 15th. (Note the high tide)

According to LSPOA member Larry Reinebach, the benches that washed away were installed in 2008. Reinebach says he'll contact the manufacturer Monday to see what it would cost to replace them. He also asked for volunteers to help him salvage the concrete blocks uncovered by the storm.

Toppled tree cut and cleared by Richard LaBrie

Erosion Concerns
The unusual winter storm blasted ashore around 3:00 am. High winds caused massive waves to pound the Lido shoreline, eroding even more sand from our already fragile beach. What was once a gradual slope from our beach access to the beach is now a one-and-a-half foot step down. In addition to losing the benches, LaBrie estimates as much as six-feet of sand has been carved away from the dunes protecting our Pavilion property.

In fact, the Pavilion is now just 15-feet from the edge of a six-foot high drop off. A nearby LSPOA Private Property sign sits just inches from sliding down the sand hill that's been created. LaBrie spent time Sunday clearing an Australian Pine and other trees that had toppled over and onto the beach during the storm. The same storm system spawned a tornado, high winds and caused severe damage to a Condo complex and several homes south of Lido Shores on Siesta Key.

LSPOA Pavilion sits precariously close to the edge

Our Lido Shores beach area has been showing signs of significant erosion long before Sunday's violent storm. LSPOA member Diane Desenberg reported in March 2015 that the City of Sarasota dredging of the ebb shoal just south of New Pass to provide sand to renourish the central and southern portion of Lido Key beach was very likely the cause.

Where benches washed up and were found last October

Pair of LSPOA beach benches in better times

LSPOA Treasurer Elliott Himelfarb is exploring temporary solutions to protect the pavilion, and has already contacted Sarasota City engineer Alex Davis Shaw to see what options are available.

Outgoing LSPOA President Anne Essner plans to bring the issue up for discussion at tonight's, Monday, January 18th, Annual Lido Shores Property Owners Association Meeting.

More than 70 members have reservations to attend the Meeting and Dinner which begins at 5:30 pm at the Bird Key Yacht Club.

~BT

Property sign just inches from sliding downhill