Public torn over future of Beach

The conference room at the Navarre Visitors Center was packed full Nov. 30 as members of the Tourist Development Council, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the public gathered to discuss the future of Navarre Beach.

County Administrator Hunter Walker asked the TDC and Chamber to provide recommendations for acceptable recreational concessions they would like to see on the beach.

County Engineer Roger Blaylock told people at the meeting that the county was planning to put out a request for proposal for concessions on the beach from the Navarre Fishing Pier east into the Navarre Beach Park. He said the commissioners wanted to cut down on individual requests from business owners wanting to set up concessions on the beach like the land-based water slide.

TDC Executive Director Kate Wilkes asked everyone to write down on a piece of paper what they would like to see on the beach and what they would not like to see.

The room seemed split between people who want to see more activities on the beach similar to those on Pensacola Beach or in Destin and those who want to keep Navarre Beach a quiet, family-friendly beach that focuses on its natural resources.

For more on this story, see the Dec. 8 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.