Flagler Avenue Boardwalk ribbon cutting August 3
Officials are preparing to cut the ribbon on a beachfront parking lot at one of the most popular beach access ramps in Volusia County. New Smyrna Beach and Volusia County officials will attend the public ceremony Friday, August 3, at the Flagler Avenue Boardwalk in the 100 block of Flagler Avenue, in the NSB Waterfront LOOP. The ribbon cutting ceremony immediately will follow the 8:30 a.m. groundbreaking ceremony for phase III of the Esther Street Park improvement project. Both projects are jointly funded by the County of Volusia and the City of New Smyrna Beach through the City's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Esther Street Park improvements continue
With the reconstruction of the seawall and dune walkover complete, the third phase of improvements to Esther Street Park will begin in August. Phase III includes off-beach parking, a playground, walking trails, pavilions, restroom facilities and a volleyball area. Drainage facilities for the beachfront site will be used to reduce flooding in the North Atlantic Avenue area. The projected cost of phase III is estimated at $1 million and is scheduled for completion by January 2013.

Improved LOOP signage
Residents and visitors soon will find it easier to navigate to popular destinations within the NSB Waterfront LOOP. Allied Environmental Signage has been awarded the City's Wayfinding Project. Construction is expected to be completed near the end of the year and will include 66 signs installed throughout the LOOP.

Riverside Park Improvements Project
Construction at Riverside Park is nearly 75 percent complete. The project includes amenities such as refurbishing the seawall, installation of an ADA-compliant floating dock, new wood boardwalk and sidewalks, and new park lighting. This project is expected to be completed in September.

Free park and ride shuttle to Shrimp and Seafood Festival
Due to the popularity of the first free park and ride shuttle, the CRA will offer free rides to the August 16 Flagler Avenue Shrimp and Seafood Festival. The shuttle will tote riders between the lot at 160 N. Causeway to Flagler Avenue. The shuttle will run every 15 minutes between 5 - 10 p.m. For more information on the shuttle, please call 386.424.2175.

5th Friday August 31 Food Truck Bazaar
The popular Food Truck Bazaar will return to Flagler Avenue from 5 - 8:30 p.m., Friday, August 31, in the NSB Waterfront LOOP. The gourmet convoy will line the beachside downtown and serve an array of gourmet food including barbecue, ethnic delicacies, sandwiches, seafood, and desserts. The event is sponsored by the City of New Smyrna Beach. For more information, please call 386.424.2175.

For a complete list of LOOP events, please log on to www.nsbwaterfrontloop.com/events.