Econfina Creek Hwy. 388 access point getting safety improvement

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Paddling down Econfina Creek is a preferred exercise this time of the 12 months, but the location that canoers and kayakers land on when it is time to go residence wants an improve.

Bay County commissioners are doing the job to strengthen basic safety for kayakers, canoers and other water cruisers at Econfina.

Quite a few of all those who float down the creek get on or off at Freeway 388, but the road has tested to be a lot less than secure in excess of the many years.

“It’s all about safety and to generate an place where they can be off the road when they get out of their kayaks or canoes at the close of the outings and load up and go house and have a harmless afternoon,” Bay County Commissioner Invoice Dozier said.

The county in partnership with Northwest Florida H2o Administration acquired a piece of property to the west of Econfina Creek to build a right parking good deal.

This will develop an area wherever residents can be further from the street when they stop their journey and head to their cars and trucks.

Dozier stated the increasing recognition of the location and Pitt Springs just upstream produced the venture much more pressing.

But the development is not created to be an attraction on its possess.

“We’re not attempting to produce a place for folks to arrive and a magnet to draw men and women, it is a area mainly for folks when they get out of the creek they can have their autos parked there and head property,” Dozier said.

Dozier also emphasized the relevance of preserving the ecosystem and they will be thorough not to disturb the wetlands.

“We’ve designed an space down there to enable safeguard Econfina Creek and the environment and it is most critical generally for basic safety and we have been working on this for pretty some time, we’re happy to see it come to exactly where it is currently,” Dozier claimed.

The challenge is at this time likely via the permitting approach.

Dozier mentioned he hopes the new and enhanced landing website can be thoroughly open and operational by the spring of 2023.