A significant portion of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort will be closed starting Monday, June 30, 2025, due to structural concerns identified in a recent engineering assessment. A 40-foot-wide section of the park, specifically along the water’s edge on the relieving platform, will be off-limits to the public for safety reasons.
Engineering Assessment and Safety Concerns
The decision to close part of the park follows a detailed structural analysis conducted by McSweeney Engineers and JMT, which revealed concerning levels of deterioration and overstressed piles in the platform structure that supports the park’s waterside area. The engineers’ report was delivered to the City of Beaufort over the weekend, prompting swift action from City staff to address the situation.
“We would prefer not to limit access to such a significant portion of the park,” said Scott Marshall, the City Manager. “However, public safety is paramount, and we felt like our decisions should be driven by safety of life as a primary consideration.”
Affected Areas and Alternative Measures
The closure affects not only the waterside portion of the park but also includes the day dock and playground, which will be inaccessible until further notice. The City staff has been in communication with the Beaufort Water Festival Committee to minimize the impact on one of the City’s largest and most important events, and they are working closely with engineers to explore how or if these areas may be reopened in the future.
Safety Measures and Enforcement
To ensure the safety of visitors, signage and barriers will be installed around the affected areas of the park. These will clearly mark the sections of the park that are off-limits. Additionally, areas marked as “no trespassing” will be strictly enforced to prevent anyone from entering potentially hazardous zones.
Moving Forward
The City of Beaufort is committed to working with engineers to assess the best possible course of action for the park’s structural integrity and long-term safety. While the closure may cause temporary disruptions, the safety of residents and visitors remains the City’s top priority.
For updates on the situation and future plans for reopening the park areas, residents and visitors are encouraged to stay informed through official City channels.
