Spending a day at North Padre and Mustang Island beaches means miles and miles of sandy shores and mile markers posted every 10th of a mile up and down the shoreline. These markers span from the jetty in Port Aransas to the National Seashore and serve as a beneficial tool for environmental conservation and identifying location – especially if you or anyone in your group happens to get lost on the beach. Read on to learn more about how they’re beneficial.

 

First Responders  

When there’s an emergency on the beach, first responders need to know the location. Whether it’s a swimmer caught in a rip tide, a lost child, or someone suffering a medical emergency, one of the identifying factors is the closest mile marker to pinpoint their exact location. Mile markers provide help when we need it the most!

Preserving the Turtles 

Padre Island National Seashore is a conservatory for sea turtles and every year, thousands of turtles hatch along the beaches before being released into the Gulf of Mexico. Releases are unpredictable, and if spotted, beachgoers are instructed to contact the Hatching Hotline at 361-949-7163. The identification of the mile markers will indicate the location of the nesting activity.

 

Beach Management  

The mile markers function as North and South boundaries to support management and overall beach upkeep. For example, Corpus Christi Coastal Parks Services will dispatch workers for beach maintenance at a specific mile marker, allowing them to complete their tasks both effectively and in a timely manner.  

If you notice a mile marker is tipped over or too damaged to read, please contact the City of Corpus Christi Beach Operations at 361-826-3469. These markers serve more purpose than you think!