Humiston Boardwalk Breaks Ground, and You Can Put Your Name On It

Walk past Humiston Park right now and you will see the fences, the heavy equipment, and the stacked materials. The boardwalk our community has missed since 2022 is finally coming back. On November 1, crews broke ground on a brand-new 427-foot boardwalk to replace the one hurricanes Ian and Nicole destroyed.

Contractor Ferreira Construction has fenced off the dunes and the northern portion of the park and begun staging equipment in preparation for what is a nearly $3 million rebuild. Beach access will remain closed for the duration of construction.

Who was there, and what happens now?

Mayor John Cotugno addressed the crowd that gathered at 4 p.m. at the northeast corner of the park. Council member John Carroll introduced the volunteer ad-hoc fundraising committee he formed to close the remaining funding gap. Jeff Pickering, president and CEO of Indian River Community Foundation, also spoke. The foundation has been accepting donations on behalf of the city and helping contributors with IRS paperwork. Refreshments followed the remarks.

Committee members are Vicky Gould (chair), Morgan Reynolds (vice chair), Richard Giessert, Barbara Ruddy, Jeff Schlitt and Phil Barth. They meet every other Monday and are actively reaching out to donors to push the project across the finish line.

How much is still needed?

The total project cost is $2,975,141. That figure does not include the $850,000 worth of prestressed concrete donated by Clayton Sembler, owner of CDS Manufacturing, though it does include the $111,000 cost of shipping those pilings to the site.

Committed public funding totals $2,210,230: $1 million from the city's capital improvement plan, $400,000 from Indian River County, a $460,230 FEMA reimbursement for hurricane damages, and $350,000 from the State of Florida in its 2025-2026 budget.

Community donations stood at $256,313 as of October 26, leaving $508,598 still to raise. Carroll said he is confident the gap will close.

Can I put my name on the new boardwalk?

Several giving tiers offer lasting recognition. Local businessman Tom Corr pledged $100,000 and was among the earliest donors, earning the right to name the 22-foot by 12-foot covered pavilion at the north end. The naming rights to the larger 42-foot by 12-foot covered pavilion at the south end are still available to the first donor who gives $250,000.

A $25,000 gift earns a plaque on one of four dune crossovers. A $10,000 donation gets an engraved brass plaque on one of 21 new benches. For $1,100, donors can have their names engraved on one of 236 available Trex deck planks, with room for up to 28 characters including spaces.

Thirty-two benches saved from the old boardwalk, which already carry plaques honoring the original donors, will be placed on the new structure as well.

What will the new boardwalk look like?

The structure sits atop prestressed concrete pilings with timber framing and a deck made from Trex, a durable composite of recycled materials. A covered pavilion anchors each end, with the south pavilion including a handicapped access ramp.

When will it be done?

The construction schedule calls for driving pilings and assembling the deck beginning in early November, with ramp and pavilion construction starting in early December. Irrigation and landscaping are planned for the first half of February. City public works director Michael Mitts said completion is expected by the end of February, just ahead of the March 1 start of sea turtle nesting season.

Do you have a memory of the old Humiston boardwalk, or are you thinking about putting your name on one of those new deck planks? Tell us in the comments on our Facebook post.

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Ava Cook

Community Manager at Vero Vine

Hello!
My name is Ava Cook and I am a Freshman at Florida Southern College in Lakeland FL. I am currently a B.F.A musical theatre major with a minor in Business Administration. I love reading, singing, acting, dancing, and writing. My favorite part about Vero Beach and Indian River County as a whole is how close the community is. Vero Vine is important to me as it allows me to do my part it bringing the community together also, sharing events, small businesses, and other local happenings. If you have any questions or any recommendations for me, my email is always open [email protected].