Beach ready for summer kickoff

Every morning, a truck rides along the sugar white sands of the core area, dragging a rake to remove beer cans and other debris so visitors will see a fresh, clean expanse leading to the Gulf of Mexico.

It's just one of the tasks being done to ensure Pensacola Beach puts its best face forward for visitors.

Santa Rosa Island Authority General Manager Buck Lee said the Quietwater Parking lot has 93 new spaces; work on the SRIA portion of Fort Pickens Road is complete; eightand a-half miles of bike path traverse the island; bathrooms are open at the Fort Pickens gate; Gulfside Pavilion got a new roof and is getting new pavers.

Additionally, the four-laning of Via deLuna should be ready July 19 in time for the Blue Angels practice air show.

Lee said the road to Navarre Beach is supposed to be fixed by Summer 2008 and the road inside the national seashore part of Fort Pickens is being discussed. Currently, ferry service is being finalized to bring visitors from Pensacola Beach to the park.