It’s time for more “reel” talk where I ask the City of Destin’s Mayor, Bobby Wagner, the questions I’m emailed, and sometimes it’s topics I’m simply curious about myself. As your Public Information Manager, I promise, if he tries to dodge a question, I’ll reel him in and get you an answer. Email me at tyoung@cityofdestin.com if you’d like to submit a question regarding City happenings in the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.
~Tamara Leigh Young, PhD
Q: The Tarpon Beach Park expansion is an incredible collaboration between The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners, Trust for Public Land and our City. Our goal is to have construction completed by spring 2024 on facilities, but many people are already enjoying the new public beach. Residents have raved about the extra Gulf view and beach space, but they’re worried about whether the vendors will take over. Can you address that?
A: Tarpon Beach is a real success story. To me, the biggest win is that this 300-plus-feet of beach is now owned and controlled by the public. If there is one thing I have learned from our Crystal Beach Residents, it is that we need relief from commercial beach chairs blocking the beach. By law, there can be NO commercial activity at this park and that includes beach chair rentals.
Q: The demolition of buildings at Tarpon was amazing to watch, but it’s also a reminder that progress isn’t always pretty, and it takes time. We’ve received a number of concerns regarding the fencing that’s up right now at places such as Norriego Point Park. Do you feel this progress is counterintuitive to natural beauty?
A: Norriego Point for me, and so many other residents, is a special place to visit by foot and/or by boat. I have watched hundreds of sunrises at this location to start my day as well as used it as part of my running route. As many people have probably noticed by now, the area is taking a new shape. The sad reality is that not all of this area is public land, but some is private property that had plans approved way before my time, and has just sat dormant for decades. It’s heartbreaking for me to see it under construction, and I empathize with others, but the reality is it was never our land and we got used to it until the owners were ready to use it. So, to answer the question, I feel that progress doesn’t have to be counterintuitive to natural beauty. Progress can be made by working with nature, which can help preserve and even enhance natural beauty. It’s all about balance. Right now, there’s construction of a public road that will serve both the City’s public park and the future adjacent private development. There are also plans to combat erosion in a natural way by building and utilizing living shorelines. The positive part is that it’s going to provide a lot more public parking, easier access to the water without damaging the dunes, and there will finally be some much-needed restrooms in that area. Moving forward, I’m hoping that we can move toward a future where progress and natural beauty can coexist.
Q: And the Norriego Point Project isn’t costing Destin residents money, correct?
A: That’s correct. The Norriego Point Project is a Restoration Project funded with Natural Resource Damage Assessment Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill funds provided by BP, so it’s little to no cost to the City. There might be some minimal cost of necessary permits, but that would be it. We’re keeping a residents-first mentality as much as possible with all projects!
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