Sylvan Beach Renourishment Project

About the Project
The Sylvan Beach Renourishment Project was completed in January 2010. La Porte residents and visitors to the area have a full 2,000 linear feet of sandy beaches ready and waiting for their toe-sticking pleasure. In addition to new sand, the project also included the creation of walkways and benches along the beach for visitors to enjoy.
Project Partners
The renourishment project will also stabilize the shoreline of Sylvan Beach Park, which is part of the Harris County Parks System. The project was a joint venture involving the:
  • City of La Porte
  • Harris County
  • Port of Houston Authority
  • Texas General Land Office
  • United States Army Corps of Engineers
History of Sylvan Beach
Sylvan Beach was a major tourist destination in the early 1920s, but the pre-existing beach began a steady decline as a direct result of the completion of the Houston Ship Channel in 1928. In 1961, Hurricane Carla completely devastated what beach was left at that point, making it a beach in name only.

The renourishment project is intended to restore the beach and also to provide erosion protection for the park shoreline. The City of La Porte and Harris County are committed to future maintenance and upkeep of the site, and City officials expect that the beach will once again become a large draw for the beach-loving public in Houston and the surrounding areas.