About
The Park Board Coastal Operations Department is responsible for the daily care, operations, and maintenance of Galveston’s public beaches. The department manages several popular island beach parks that offer a variety of amenities for residents and visitors, including Stewart Beach, R.A. Apffel (East Beach), East End Lagoon Nature Preserve, and Seawall Urban Park.
As part of Coastal Operations, the Coastal Zone Management team provides litter control services along Galveston’s entire 32-mile shoreline, helping keep the island’s beaches clean, safe, and enjoyable year-round.
Also, within the department, the Galveston Island Beach Patrol operates as a state-certified first-response agency dedicated to public safety on the beach. The division employs more than 80 lifeguards, senior guards, and supervisors and maintains nine patrol units, each staffed with at least one EMT-B-certified responder to ensure rapid emergency response.