Heceta Lighthouse Wayside closure delayed two weeks

You have two extra weeks to get to Heceta Lighthouse State Wayside before an extended closure kicks in. State Park and Forest Service officials had planned on closing the park, 12 miles north of Florence, for extensive renovations beginning August First. They didn’t say why, but have moved that date back two weeks. Work on reshaping and repaving the older west parking lot to improve drainage and repair erosion damage is expected to begin August 15th. During the closure a new sidewalk to the beach will also be installed. Trail rehab work will include installing culverts and shifting parts of the trail that leads to the historic lighthouse keeper’s house and the light itself. The wayside is expected to reopen by September 30th, but a longer and more extensive renovation of the lighthouse itself is also to begin next month and could take up to two years to complete. Officials say the Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast, operated by a private contractor will remain open through the work.