Miami Beach named top restored beach in national 'Best of the Best' vote

Miami Beach’s 7.1 miles of beach and dunes took first place in the national “Best of the Best” Restored Beach Award from the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, the city announced Thursday. The account below comes from the city’s press release, which Red Sidewalks has not independently verified.

According to the city, the association announced the award last month at its centennial celebration in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Miami Beach finished ahead of nine other finalists in a vote of more than 2,800 ballots cast nationwide.

The city said Miami Beach had the oldest renourishment project among the 100 coastal projects reviewed, dating to its completion in 1985. Periodic renourishment since then has involved the city, Miami-Dade County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other state and federal partners.

Association Executive Director Nicole Elko called Miami Beach a national gold standard for large-scale beach nourishment, according to the release. Mayor Steven Meiner said the beaches and dunes are the city’s first line of defense against storms and rising seas.

Amy Knowles, the city’s chief resilience officer and director of environment and sustainability, said in the release that renourishment is not a one-time job, because waves, currents, wind and storms keep moving sand. She said it takes long-term monitoring, periodic work and coordination among government partners. The city said the work also includes managing dunes, native vegetation and habitat for nesting sea turtles.