Econfina Creek Hwy. 388 access point getting safety improvement

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Paddling down Econfina Creek is a common action this time of the calendar year, but the region that canoers and kayakers land on when it is time to go property wants an upgrade.

Bay County commissioners are working to enhance protection for kayakers, canoers and other drinking water cruisers at Econfina.

Several of people who float down the creek get on or off at Highway 388, but the highway has tested to be less than protected above the decades.

“It’s all about basic safety and to generate an place wherever they can be off the highway when they get out of their kayaks or canoes at the stop of the visits and load up and go household and have a risk-free afternoon,” Bay County Commissioner Invoice Dozier reported.

The county in partnership with Northwest Florida H2o Management obtained a piece of residence to the west of Econfina Creek to create a good parking great deal.

This will build an location in which residents can be more from the street when they end their trip and head to their automobiles.

Dozier reported the increasing acceptance of the location and Pitt Springs just upstream built the task a lot more urgent.

But the progress is not made to be an attraction on its possess.

“We’re not striving to produce a area for persons to come and a magnet to draw men and women, it is a put primarily for individuals when they get out of the creek they can have their automobiles parked there and head property,” Dozier stated.

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

“We’ve established an area down there to support shield Econfina Creek and the ecosystem and it is most essential largely for safety and we have been functioning on this for fairly some time, we’re glad to see it occur to the place it is today,” Dozier mentioned.

The challenge is at the moment likely through the permitting process.

Dozier said he hopes the new and enhanced landing web-site can be absolutely open up and operational by the spring of 2023.