County supports paths for Navarre
BY PAM BRANNON Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Navarre soon will be getting about four miles of multi-purpose pedestrian paths compliments of Santa Rosa County.

If the county's public works department can do the project, it will cost the county $295,000. If it has to be contracted out, the price tag will be slightly higher.

"These paths are more than sidewalks," Gordon Goodin told his fellow county commissioners last week. "They will be used for biking and walking and jogging and rollerblading. There is enough in the recreation fund to cover the cost either way - with the public works department doing the job or contracting it out.

"I just recently discovered that the state does not fund our school district for picking students up within two miles of the school. The school district is having to make some tough decisions in the next couple years on funding. Right now, the way the roads are around our schools in the south end, it would be tough to ask kids to ride bikes or walk to school. It is a mess around those schools.

"We need these paths and sidewalks all over the county, especially in the south end around Navarre and Gulf Breeze schools. This isn't the last project of its kind we will be funding. It is just the beginning."

The multi-purpose paths initially being funded will start on East Bay Boulevard from State Road 87 to Andorra Street, and from Andorra Street to Grand Bay. They would also encompass areas that include the Navarre Senior Center and Library, the YMCAand Navarre High School Road.

"These paths will be used by every age group in the community," Goodin said. "Instead of just using our recreation funds to support youth programs, like we usually do, this will provide a project that will be used by people of every age."

Commission Chair John Broxson of Gulf Breeze questioned whether the county's public works department had the time or manpower to do such a large project.

Public Works Department Supervisor Avis Whitfield told commissioners that if no other major problems arise in the county, like flooding issues or hurricanes, the county should be able to do the project and have it complete within two years.

Whitefield gave commissioners an estimate of $294,918 for the more than four miles of multi-purpose paths. He said 1,458 feet of culverts would be necessary, 580 feet of walking bridges constructed, 41 driveways and dirt entrances that would need to be paved, and 15,346 square yards of sod to be placed.