City seeks public input for parks
BY SCOTT PAGE Gulf Breeze News Scott@gulfbreezenews.com

City residents gave the council suggestions on how to use the FEMA windfall.

Gulf Breeze residents were presented with an opportunity that many communities could never dream of. The City of Gulf Breeze may receive a large sum of money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The city had the option of accepting a grant to rebuild the Pensacola Bay fishing bridge, or use the funds to tear it down and allocate the remaining balance to improvements or additions to the city's parks and recreation facilities.

City officials promised to use the money to enhance the parks and recreation facilities across Gulf Breeze as opposed to rebuilding the Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge. More importantly, it is now up to Gulf Breeze residents to determine the specific

uses of the grant.

"We want to take a step back and focus on what Shoreline Park could look like in 30 years," said Edwin "Buz" Eddy, city manager. "We've hired some planners so we can find out what residents want, how much it will cost and what we should do."

The city hired Tetra Tech, an engineering and consulting company from Destin, to produce a master plan for the development of the Parks and Rec. facilities.

"We want the master plan to reflect what the community desires," said Michael Bomar, a representative of Tetra Tech.

On Wednesday, Jan. 16, Tetra Tech representatives, along with Gulf Breeze city officials, held an open meeting at City Hall in order to allow residents to fill out surveys and rank the areas of improvements according to importance. Tetra Tech will generate the master plan from the results of the surveys.

Approximately 35 to 40 people made their way to City Hall to participate in the planning. After a short presentation, officials from Tetra Tech and the city opened the floor to questions and suggestions. Residents expressed ideas and concerns that included creating more resources for seniors, expanding the dog parks, protecting the wetland areas near the park, building an art/theatre facility and creating a community garden.

More than one group has expressed interest in allocating the funds for the construction of a multi-purpose basketball/auditorium facility. They say that it is necessary because youth Rec. teams are paying and competing for gym space, and the Gulf Breeze High School drama department must raise a large sum of money simply to host their annual production.

You can still have your voice heard in the planning process. "We're trying to develop the master plan over the next 2 to 3 months," Bomar said. "That will be the window for public input."

Acopy of the Tetra Tech survey is available on the city website, and they will be accepting them through Friday, Jan. 25. Residents should take their completed surveys to City Hall, and leave them with Steve Milford. If you have any questions about the process, contact him at 934-4030.