The Florida Trustee Implementation Group, and partners at Franklin County and The Trust for Public Land, recently announced the completion of Island View Park, which will provide improved public access to coastal resources of the Florida Panhandle.
This park is one of five components of the Florida Coastal Access Project, to facilitate and enhance the public’s access to surrounding natural resources, and increase recreational opportunities lost due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
On hand to celebrate the project’s completion were Franklin County Commissioner Cheryl Sanders, and representatives from The Trust for Public Land and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Island View Park is a 7.13-acre tract located in Franklin County, Florida. The park includes a boardwalk with viewing areas, extensive landscaping with native trees and plants, two long fishing piers, shoreline access for paddle craft, and a central plaza with an information kiosk.
The Trustee Implementation Group approved $2.6 million in funding for the park amenities, along with 10 years of operation and maintenance funds for the county. Additional funding for the Park was also provided by a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Island View Park was one of four park projects contained in the first phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project (Phase V of Florida’s Deepwater Horizon Early Restoration) located in the Florida Panhandle selected to be acquired and/or improved to increase recreational uses and coastal access. These locations included Innerarity Point in Escambia County, Captain Leonard Destin Park in Okaloosa County, Lynn Haven Bayou Park and Preserve in Bay County, and Island View Park in Franklin County. The second phase of the Florida Coastal Access Project (Phase V.2) included funding for land acquisition and improvements to Salinas Park in Gulf County.