HOLMES BEACH — The gates of Grassy Point Preserve are officially open, at least for the hours between dawn and dusk.
City leaders and more than 30 guests gathered April 19 for a ribbon cutting and first look at the newly expanded park.
Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson called the event a thank you to everyone who contributed to the purchase, maintenance, planting, expansion and support of the park.
“You are very special people to have done so much for so long,” he said. “I just want to say thank you to all of you.”
Holmes Beach resident Nancy Deal stepped in for longtime Grassy Point supporter Billie Martini who could not attend the ribbon cutting ceremony. In a letter which Deal read aloud, Martini thanked the people and organizations who helped create the park.
“Thank you for coming to Grassy Point today,” she said in the letter. “It is one of a very few locations remaining that is Anna Maria Island as nature intended it — no concrete in sight.”
The preserve reopened to the public immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony and first tour of the expanded path and boardwalk additions. The park was closed for several months to extend the existing pathway through trees and across tidal ponds to view Anna Maria Sound.
“This is a very special little place,” Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Soustek said.
Grassy Point is located at the northern end of Avenue C in Holmes Beach.