The City of Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce that the City’s Corpus Christi Beach and McGee Beach on the bayfront have together been selected as a winner of the 2010 Best Restored Beach Award by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA).

It should be noted that Corpus Christi is one of only four cities in the nation to receive the ASBPA awards this year.

For the past nine years, the ASBPA has recognized communities that have undertaken significant beach restoration projects. Here in Corpus Christi, the City and Texas General Land Office (TGLO) in 2004 co-sponsored the re-nourishment of McGee Beach by placing about 56,000 cubic yards of sand on a 1,800-foot-long section beach. Among other things, this helped widen the beach to about 250 feet. Similarly, in 2001, the City and TGLO undertook a re-nourishment project which resulted in the placement of sand along more than 3,000 feet of beach on Corpus Christi Beach. These projects have made both beaches even more popular destinations for both residents and visitors to Corpus Christi. 

“We are honored to be recognized nationally for our bay beaches,” said Michele Thomas, the City of Corpus Christi’s Beach, Cultural Services and Events Superintendent. “Our waterfront is among America’s top restored beaches for the same reasons it has been ranked among America’s top beaches. That’s because we have great sand, clear, calm waters, and all kinds of events and attractions that are easily accessible to everyone in the family,” Ms. Thomas said.

In addition to Corpus Christi, the other three winners of the 2010 Best Restored Beaches Award are: Navarre Beach, Florida, Seahurst Park, Washington and Seal Beach, California. The ASBPA was founded in 1926 with the purpose of promoting policies, science and actions that help protect, maintain and enhance the coasts of America. The organization’s main offices are in Washington, DC and Fort Meyers, Florida. The award will be presented March 2, 2011 at the ASBPA Coastal Summit in Washington, DC.