Beach park renamed after Harry Gowens
BY LISA NEWELL Gulf Breeze News lisa@gulfbreezenews.com

Harry Gowens, the only recipient of the "Spirit of Pensacola Beach" award, is being memorialized by having a park named after him.

The park is located on the north side of Via de Luna, at the corner of Avenida 11.

"Harry Gowens has done an awful lot for this beach," said Pensacola Beach Executive Director Sandy Johnston.

Gowens was one of the original residents of Pensacola Beach, and his sense of community is legendary.

He developed much of the eastern half of Pensacola Beach, served as a member of the Santa Rosa Island Authority from 1992-1995, was crowned the first "King" of the Krewe of Wrecks when Mardi Gras began on the beach in 1980, founded the Pensacola Beach Elementary School and was one of the original Pensacola Beach "Wooly Boogers," a title bestowed on the most colorful of beach denizens.

Gowens was also named the Beach Bum of the Millennium in the year 2000. His penchant for telling tales endeared him to many, while the retelling of those tales established his reputation as a unique and interesting character known as much for his wit and antics as he was for his willingness to support others in need.

Gowens passed away on January 23, 2006.