Venice reopens Humphris Park; repairs on parking lot from Hurricane Idalia damage complete

Humphris Park, 2000 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice, was set to reopen Saturday morning, after being closed as a result of storm surge damage caused by Hurricane Idalia. Venice Public Works staff cleared debris and replaced more than 1,500 cubic yards of materials to rebuild the parking lot.
Humphris Park, 2000 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice, was set to reopen Saturday morning, after being closed as a result of storm surge damage caused by Hurricane Idalia. Venice Public Works staff cleared debris and replaced more than 1,500 cubic yards of materials to rebuild the parking lot.

VENICE – Humphris Park in Venice was scheduled to reopen Saturday, after being closed because of storm surge damage from Hurricane Idalia last month.

While the park at 2000 Tarpon Center Drive, and Jetty Jack’s snack bar, are reopening, the South Jetty walkway remains closed because of pedestrian hazards after rocks washed into the Intracoastal Waterway as the storm passed off the Southwest Florida coast, a news release from the city of Venice noted.

Venice Public Works staff placed benches and picnic tables at Humphris Park to block off the South Jetty walkway, which remains closed to pedestrian – and fishing – use until further repairs can make it safe.
Venice Public Works staff placed benches and picnic tables at Humphris Park to block off the South Jetty walkway, which remains closed to pedestrian – and fishing – use until further repairs can make it safe.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working on a repair plan so the walkway can be reopened.

Venice Public Works staff cleared debris and replaced more than 1,500 cubic yards of materials to rebuild the parking lot at the park.

The city estimated the storm caused about $200,000 to its property, much of that attributable to the issues at Humphris Park.

This aerial view, looking east on Humphris Park, shows how picnic tables and benches have been placed to discourage people from attempting to traverse the South Jetty Walkway.
This aerial view, looking east on Humphris Park, shows how picnic tables and benches have been placed to discourage people from attempting to traverse the South Jetty Walkway.

Related: Damage total from Hurricane Idalia approaches $5 million for Sarasota-Manatee

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular Venice park closed by Hurricane Idalia reopenes Saturday morning