ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier is closing Monday for repairs.
Pedro Burgess fishes almost every day and the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier is his favorite place to go.
“It’s the best fishing pier in St. Augustine right now,” Burgess said.
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It will be closed for four months as the county replaces all of the railings and the decking material on the pier to help extend its life.
In the meantime, fishermen who come to the pier every day say they’ll be forced to find a new place to catch their fish.
Burgess said most of the fish he catches fishing from the pier, he eats.
“I don’t know, I got to find somewhere else to go,” he said.
The north beach access next to the pier will also be closed during the project and access to the beach near the pier will also be restricted for beachgoers.
Laurence Laughlin said for him the pier is more than just catching fish.
“It’s good camaraderie. There is a bunch of people out here, they’re regulars, I like to come out and see them,” Laughlin said.
People can still get to the beach using the entrance south of the pier.
The gift shop, splash park and parking lot will all remain open.
Burgess said he’s looking forward to the pier opening again since fish is a huge part of his diet.
“No pork, no beef ... fish, chicken and turkey ... I guess I got to eat chicken,” Burgess said.
The pier is expected to reopen in May depending on the weather.
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