Following a recent engineering assessment, an approximate 40-foot-wide section of Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park will be closed, effective on Monday, June 30, 2025. The closure primarily targets the water’s edge side of the park that rests on the park’s relieving platform.
This decision was made following a through structural analysis of the park conducted by McSweeney Engineers and JMT. The analysis indicated structural concerns and identified significant deterioration and overstressed piles within the platform structure.
The engineering report was delivered to the city over the weekend. After its receipt, City staff worked diligently throughout the weekend to formulate and implement safety measures consistent with recommendations from the engineering assessment. This includes meeting with Beaufort Water Festival Committee representatives on Sunday morning to help mitigate impacts to one of the City’s marquis events.
“We would prefer not to limit access to such a significant portion of the park,” said City Manager Scott Marshall, “however, public safety is paramount, and we felt like our decisions should be driven by safety of life as a primary consideration.”
In addition to closing the waterside portion of the park, the day dock and playground will also be inaccessible until further notice. Staff will continue to work with engineers to determine how or if these portions of the park may be opened moving forward.
Signage and barriers will be installed to clearly mark the areas of the park that are off limits to the public. Areas marked as “no trespassing” will be strictly enforced.
Updates will be posted on the City of Beaufort website (www.cityofbeaufort.
