Marine science station among ideas for Navarre Beach Park

Lobbying for the future of Navarre Beach officially kicked off with a town hall meeting Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Navarre High School.

“Recreation on Navarre Beach is becoming big business for Santa Rosa County,” Commissioner Gordon Goodin told about 100 interested residents. But a pitch for educational opportunities garnered more support.

“We’re really more than just a club,” said Charlene Mauro Fearon, who heads the NHS Marine Science Department. Mauro Fearon, winner of past county teacher-of-the-year and state science-teacher-of-the-year honors, gave a detailed Power Point presentation outlining plans to offer marine science education for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, describing partnership and grant opportunities and explaining how the science station could coexist with or even complement other proposed activities.

“I truly believe that conservation begins with education,” she said. “I would love to see the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station become a reality.”

Other ideas include erecting wind turbines to generate power for Navarre Beach facilities; setting aside waterfront for a dog park; installing docks, pump and fuel stations and a boat lift in Santa Rosa Sound east of Navarre Causeway; building a full-fledged marina on the Gulf of Mexico; dedicating areas for bird watchers and stargazers, converting the ticket booth into a “satellite” Visitors Information Center; recruiting a restaurant or restaurants; restoring RV and/or primitive camp sites destroyed by the storms; allowing the Greater Navarre Beach Area Arts Association space for a performing arts stage; recruiting a beach vendor to supply kayaks, umbrellas, chairs and other tourists’ needs.

County Administrator Hunter Walker said officials will review the public’s input and recommend a plan to the county commission. Goodin said the commission probably would schedule more public meetings to let residents review and comment on staff’s recommendation.

The Florida Division of Parks and Recreation returned the easternmost 100 acres to Santa Rosa County on Oct. 9 after repairing damages from hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. Navarre Beach State Park had been open only a few months when Hurricane Ivan washed most of it away Sept. 16, 2009.

Residents are invited to complete a survey about the beach’s future at Santa Rosa County’s Web site, www.co.santa-rosa.fl.us. The survey link is under “What’s Hot” on the lower right side of the screen.

For more information about the town hall meeting, see the Dec. 11 edition of Navarre Press.