Issue No. 36/June-July 2026
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It's the Loop's 19th Anniversary!
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The Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail celebrated its 19th anniversary as a designated Florida Scenic Highway on July 9th. As a Florida Scenic Highway, the Loop is one of only 27 Scenic Highways in the State and is recognized for its beautiful beaches, exceptional State Parks, diverse landscapes, tidal creeks and coastal hammock scrub. The "road" to getting here was paved through the dedication and hard work of many community and environmental leaders who had the foresight to promote "The Loop" through a very detailed application process. Joe Jaynes was the Chairperson and major force behind our byway obtaining its status. Thank you to Joe and to all those wonderful "founders," as well as all the members of the Leadership team and our dedicated volunteers. You have made it possible for the Loop to flourish and provide beauty, relaxation and recreational opportunities to the public. And if you weren't aware, the Ormond Scenic Loop is also a National Scenic Byway, having received this designation in 2009. Happy Anniversary to Us!
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ReGrow the Loop Continues into Fall
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We’re excited that ReGrow the Loop 2026 will continue this fall with six more programs and four walks scheduled for the “cooler” weather. ReGrow the Loop’s October-December calendar will be posted in our August Newsletter, on the OSLT website and on various social media outlets in August and September. Additionally, ReGrow Volusia, the County-wide initiative, now incorporates our ReGrow the Loop events. All events are free and open to the public. We hope you will make plans to attend.
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Sea Turtle Nests Set Record
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The number of turtle nests tracked so far this year in Volusia County is close to breaking the record reached in 2023 of 1,516 nests. To date, this year’s count is less than 400 nests away from that total and there’s still four months left in the season. The Volusia County coastline, particularly around Ormond Beach and New Smyrna Beach, has seen phenomenal nesting activity. The surge is largely driven by loggerhead sea turtles, alongside a smaller number of green turtles, leatherbacks, and rare Kemp's Ridleys.
Volusia County's increase follows a statewide trend. According to renowned biologist Blair Witherington, the consensus among scientists is that conservation efforts are working. Protective measures date back to the Endangered Species Act, passed in 1973, and they are showing that sea turtle populations are recovering — as sea turtles are returning to nest 25 to 30 years after their hatching.
Volunteers who dedicate their time monitoring, protecting and documenting sea turtle nests in Volusia County are instrumental in ensuring that this trend continues well into the future. Two nonprofit organizations aid the County: The Turtle Patrol which monitors the beach from Ponce Inlet to Ormond-by-the-Sea and The New Smyrna Beach Turtle Trackers who work south of Ponce Inlet.
The County provides logistical support, supplies and equipment and in return, volunteers must check the beach for new nests by 8 a.m. so the County can open the beach driving ramps after they are roped off. This is required by Federal law so volunteers are providing a very important role in both protection and access. Additionally, the groups provide the County with important data so that populations can be continually tracked. These partnerships are extremely important in protecting our sea turtles. Without them, it would be harder to meet Federal regulations and public access to our beaches could suffer.
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If you see a nesting adult sea turtle or hatchlings making their way to the ocean, admire them from a safe distance. Stand far away and quietly enjoy this special experience. If a turtle appears to be in immediate danger, notify a lifeguard or Beach Safety officer or call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 888-404-3922. At night, call the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at 386-248-1777, ext. 3.
To find out what is happening along the shorelines of the Loop, follow The Turtle Patrol's Facebook page by clicking HERE.
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Enjoy the Beauty of the Loop
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Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the natural beauty and amenities of our Scenic Loop in so many different ways. Whether taking a relaxed Sunday drive, a dip in the ocean to cool off, or visiting one of the many parks and historic sites, we are so lucky to be able to experience this scenic treasure in our own backyard!. Click HERE to discover all the different locations and activities.
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Road Work Continues on A1A
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The Florida Department of Transportation is continuing its resurfacing of the segment of A1A from north of Roberta Road to the Flagler County line, with new signage, pavement markings, and drainage also included as part of this greater A1A project. Pedestrian crosswalks will be added in key locations and lower speed limits will also be established in some locations to enhance safety.
Three new crosswalks equipped with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) are planned at Holland Road, Seabreeze Drive and Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park. The RRFBs flash when activated to alert drivers someone intends to cross A1A. Fifteen other crosswalks are planned for: Sunset Boulevard; Kathy Drive, Ocean Breeze Circle, Sunrise Avenue, Wisteria Drive, San Jose Drive, Sunny Beach Drive, Imperial Heights Drive; Ocean Grove Drive; Marlin Drive; Sand Dollar Drive; Ocean Aire Terrace; between Seabridge Drive and Sea Oats Terrace; Bass Drive, and Coquina Key Drive. Two new median islands will also be added at Imperial Heights Drive and Sand Dollar Drive; they will not block access to side streets.
The speed limit will be reduced from 40 and 45 mph to 35 mph from north of Roberta Road to just north of Silk Oaks Drive, and remain 35 mph after project completion. The speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph to 40 mph north of Silk Oaks Drive north to Coquina Key Drive and remain 40 mph after project completion. The existing posted speed limit of 55 mph from north of Coquina Key Drive to the Flagler County line will be maintained and remain 55 mph after project completion.
The Department is following all applicable regulatory requirements associated with the protection of gopher tortoises. Based on current evaluations, gopher tortoises within the project corridor are not expected to be directly impacted by construction, and from a biological perspective, it is generally preferable to leave them in their existing habitat whenever possible. To help accommodate wildlife movement, the project includes gaps in the curb for drainage flumes, which may also provide opportunities for gopher tortoises to travel across the roadway.
- Information provided by the Florida Department of Transportation
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Gamble Rogers Undergoing Improvements
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Gamble Rogers State Park lies just north of the Volusia/Flagler line and is popular with many Loop aficionados. According to Gamble Rogers Park Manager Lynne Flannery, improvements are now underway on the entire beachside of the Park, east of A1A. The beachside campground, day use parking lot and restroom are closed while a new system of drains, culverts and retention areas are being installed to control rainwater run-off. Since paving is not an option this close to the beach, a new sand base, much like what existed before, will be installed. Some obvious changes include the conversion of the existing dog walk and overflow parking area ifor water retention. The construction is slated to take six months with a re-opening date estimated for early 2027. Reservations for camping will remain closed until there is a reliable date for completion. For visitor safety, the entire beachside area, including access to the beach, will remain closed until that time.
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Our July Meeting
Wednesday, July 22nd
5:15 pm
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REMOTE ONLY
Please sign on 15 minutes early. We have had some difficulty getting everyone online so our Team will be working out any technical problems before the 5:30 meeting starts.
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 234 057 518 381 Passcode: fD3uC3kF
On-line only
Dial in by phone
+1 850-739-5589,,106381209# United States, Tallahassee
Find a local number
Phone conference 106 381 209#
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Thank You to Our Sponsors
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The Mission of the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail Byway organization is to protect and enhance the Loop by serving as a focused source of education, community outreach and enhancements projects consistent with our volunteer resources and guidelines of the Florida Scenic Highway and National Scenic Byway programs.
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Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail Corridor Management Entity, Inc.
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