PARKS+REC

Okaloosa Commissioners approve 30% design plans for Cristobal Landing Park in Mary Esther

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the 30% design layout for Cristobal Landing Park on Tuesday, allowing staff to finalize the design, secure permits, and work with the City of Mary Esther to bid the project for construction.

• The $3 million project, funded equally by the county and city using tourism revenue from the expanded bed-taxing district, will transform waterfront property on Cristobal Road into a new public park. 

The county purchased the parcel in August 2023 and entered into an interlocal agreement with Mary Esther to collaborate on the development.

This project will create a new park whose primary function is for water access for paddleboards, canoes and kayaks, with secondary functions of fishing, picnicking at pavilions, walking trails, open space, beautification, shoreline hardening, ADA accessibility, bathrooms, and water watching.

Located on a cove historically known as Lorretta Haven near the former Cristobal Landing shipping dock, the site offers high elevation and existing live oaks, making it suitable for park development, according to the county. 

• Plans include parking, restrooms, a fishing pier, non-motorized boat launch, seawall, and dockage. The park will provide access to the spoil islands and shallow water areas ideal for fishing, paddle boarding, and kayaking.

The 30% design submittal, developed following multiple meetings between city and county staff along with design consultant MRD Associates, includes various access methods to accommodate diverse non-motorized vessels. These include at-grade natural sand access, simple arm guides, step-down methods, and ADA-compliant rollered access with sides.

“We truly feel that once it’s completed, it will be a gem in Mary Esther and also in Southern Okaloosa county,” said Mary Esther City Manager Jared Cobb, expressing gratitude for the county’s support and partnership. The Mary Esther City Council approved the plan on Monday, June 17, at a special meeting.

Commissioner Trey Goodwin, whose district includes the project site, visited the location with the mayor and believes it will be a valuable resource for both residents and visitors. “I’m all in favor of it. I think it’s going to be a great thing,” Goodwin said, clarifying that the park will only allow launching of kayaks, canoes, and other paddle craft, not motorboats or personal watercraft.

Deputy Administrator Craig Coffey highlighted the park’s features, including lighting, sidewalks, showers, restrooms, and gazebos. An 8-foot fence will be built along the eastern boundary to protect neighboring residents. The city held an open house to gather input from abutting property owners and the general public, with comments and recommendations incorporated into the design.

The county previously approved a $289,092 task order for MRD Associates to provide permitting, design, and construction services for the park. Staff will now work on finalizing the design, which is expected to take 4-6 months due to the required permitting, including seagrass surveys. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.

SPONSORED BY WILDWOOD GARDEN

Specialty Roofers’ “Roof Shield” service helps homeowners prepare for hurricane season

As hurricane season approaches, homeowners in Northwest Florida are turning to Specialty Roofers, Inc. for expert advice and services to safeguard their homes. 

• The company’s “Roof Shield” service, launched in the wake of Hurricane Michael, is designed to help residents prepare for severe weather and minimize potential damage to their roofs.

Mike Miller, President and General Manager of the Residential Roofing Division at Specialty Roofers, explains the importance of the “Roof Shield” service: “After Hurricane Michael, we realized that so many people weren’t prepared. That’s why we started offering the Roof Shield service – it’s a comprehensive inspection that checks for tree coverage, loose shingles, damaged flashings, and other potential issues.”

The “Roof Shield” service includes a thorough roof inspection, cleaning of debris from gutters and valleys, sealing of roof penetrations, repair of nail pops, and light branch trimming. Customers who sign up for the service also benefit from priority scheduling in the event of a leak or storm emergency, ensuring they receive prompt attention when they need it most.

• “One of the top things homeowners should do to prepare for severe weather is to clean debris from their gutters, valleys, and roof in general,” Miller advises. “When you get these storms, you want water to be able to flow freely. Backed up valleys and gutters can be a big problem.”

Specialty Roofers’ expertise extends beyond just preparing for storms – they also offer valuable insights on how to ensure a roof’s longevity and ability to withstand severe weather. Miller recommends using architectural shingles with a 130 mph wind rating and a full roofing system from a single manufacturer for optimal performance and warranty coverage.

“We often see contractors using cheaper materials or the cheapest underlayment to save money,” Miller explains. “But when you have a warranty situation, you’re going to have major issues if all the components aren’t from the same manufacturer.”

In the unfortunate event of storm damage, Specialty Roofers is well-equipped to handle repairs of all sizes, says Miller. Their dedicated service department runs two trucks every day, focusing solely on repairs ranging from minor shingle loss to more extensive damage. For larger projects and insurance claims, the company employs project managers trained in Xactimate, an insurance program that helps them efficiently navigate the claims process.

• “Insurance companies won’t just take any bid,” Miller notes. “They want everything itemized through Xactimate, so having trained project managers who can deal with the insurance company more efficiently is a huge advantage.”

Miller shared an example of how the “Roof Shield” service could have prevented significant damage and costly repairs for one elderly homeowner. 

“She had a pipe boot that went bad after year 11 or 12, and it ruined her whole bathroom upstairs,” he recounted. “The poor lady didn’t know she had this problem because she doesn’t even use the upstairs of her house anymore.”

The seemingly small issue of a deteriorating pipe boot, a rubber gasket around a pipe that prevents water infiltration, went unnoticed until it caused extensive damage. “A $10 pipe boot cost her thousands and thousands of dollars worth of drywall, insulation, and wood damage that could have been prevented if she just had an inspection,” Miller explained.

Specialty Roofers offers the “Roof Shield” service at two price points: $450 for one annual visit or $800 for two visits a year. Customers who sign up for the service also receive a 10% discount on any needed repairs, providing added value and peace of mind.

• “During every Roof Shield inspection, we get in the homeowner’s attic to inspect inside, making sure there’s no damage on the underside of the deck that wouldn’t be seen from on top of the roof,” Miller explains. “It goes a long way.”

Now two weeks into hurricane season, Miller emphasizes the importance of having a detailed checklist for hurricane preparedness and staying on top of it each year. “Immediately call a licensed, professional, local company if you do receive damage and be patient because everyone’s receiving a lot of phone calls. The sooner the call goes in, the higher you are on the list,” he advises.

With their comprehensive “Roof Shield” service and commitment to customer satisfaction, Specialty Roofers, Inc. is helping homeowners in Northwest Florida protect their homes and peace of mind during hurricane season and beyond. 

As Miller concludes, “At a minimum, we always recommend the Roof Shield service. It will save you a lot of money down the road just to have a certified roofing contractor closely overlook your roof, because there are a lot of things that aren’t going to be seen from the ground.”

BEACH

Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center releases five rehabilitated sea turtles back into the Gulf of Mexico

On June 19, 2024 at Topsail Hill State Preserve, the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center successfully released five rehabilitated sea turtles back into their natural habitat in the Gulf of Mexico.

• The release, witnessed by a gathering of locals, tourists, and sea turtle advocates, marked a significant milestone for these animals and the dedicated team at the Center.

Among the released turtles was Lapinta, a subadult loggerhead sea turtle who was accidentally foul-hooked at Okaloosa Fishing Pier on June 7, 2024. Named by Kim through his donation at the inaugural “C.A.R.E. on the Coast” fundraising event, Lapinta received supportive care at the center and, weighing 103 lbs, excitedly returned home to the Gulf.

Dorothy, an 84-lb sea turtle hooked in the mouth at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, had one internal hook in her GI tract that fortunately passed naturally. Charlotte, a 60.5-lb adult Kemp’s ridley, was foul-hooked at Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier on June 12, 2024, and was medically cleared for release by the center’s veterinary staff.

Rallis, a 136-lb subadult loggerhead, was hooked in the front left flipper with a tarpon jig at the Pensacola Beach fishing pier.

Lastly, Lilith, a 60-lb adult Kemp’s ridley hooked at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier on June 11, 2024, suffered no internal hooks and was ready to return to the Gulf after receiving a clean bill of health from the staff.

• The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center reminds the public to report any sea turtle in distress, injured, or deceased to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission immediately at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).

THINGS TO DO

City of Fort Walton Beach’s 4th of July celebration

The City of Fort Walton Beach will host “4^th of July at the Fort Walton Beach Landing” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

There’ll be plenty of food vendors to choose from, including Tonie’s Gumbo House, Kansas City Wings, B & T Kettle Korn, Miracle Strip Concessions, and Tiana’s Lunchbox. There will also be cool treats to beat the heat from Jay’s Italian Ice and Okaloosa Dippin’ Dots as well as vendors selling light-up novelty items.

Scratch 2020, who performed during last year’s Fourth of July event, will be returning to the stage with their mix of party and rock music this year. Members of the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus will also be performing during the evening.

• The evening celebration will close out with a fireworks display over Santa Rosa Sound beginning at 8:45 p.m.

“It’s a nice family night at The Landing,” said Fort Walton Beach Recreation Director Tiffiny Corcoran. “The fireworks show is always amazing and there will be plenty of good food and music.”

PARKS+REC

Okaloosa County to take over Baker Recreational Center operations

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved amendments to the Baker Area Recreation Association (BARA) lease on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, allowing the County to fully take over the operation and maintenance of the 51.25-acre facility commonly known as the “Baker Recreational Center” beginning October 1st.

This is the second lease amendment related to the facility. Two years ago, the Board voted on a lease amendment with BARA for a partial transition for the County to handle maintenance issues and a renovation of the Community Center, including managing rentals at the Community Center.

The decision comes after BARA requested the County to handle all operational, maintenance, and capital responsibilities for the facility, following changes in County maintenance staffing, increases in the cost of materials and labor, and the loss of prison work crews. 

• The County had previously provided limited support for the facility, but began taking on more responsibilities approximately 18 months ago, including mowing the property, managing and maintaining the Community Center/front area, remodeling the community center, and hiring staff members.

The lease amendment allows for a smooth transition and includes provisions such as granting the Baker Area Recreation Association their preferred date for their annual rodeo, the Old Spanish Trail Rodeo. BARA will not be charged regular fees that another entity would be expected to pay. The County also agreed not to bring in other rodeo organizations for an annual rodeo.

• The amendment also includes coordinating the transfer of the bakerarena.com website domain, and providing storage space for BARA on site.

The County intends to build upon BARA’s achievements and continue investing in the facility as a quality event venue to attract visitors to Okaloosa County. The Old Spanish Trail Rodeo, a long-standing traditional event organized by BARA for 34 years, will continue to receive priority selection of annual dates at no cost for the utilization of main facilities and equipment historically used for the event.

Funding for capital and new operational/personal costs will come from the Tourism Development District (TDD) and are budgeted accordingly for this fiscal year, according to the county. The Community Center will be funded through Facilities/Parks, with some previous maintenance positions remaining split-funded.

To manage the Baker Area Recreational complex, the recently acquired Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach, and other facilities, the County is currently hiring a venues manager, expected to be onboard in July, with additional individuals budgeted for in this year’s budget.

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FOOD+DRINK

New restaurant “I Heart Mac & Cheese and More” opens in Destin Commons

Story by Sophia Frankhouse

A new restaurant called “I Heart Mac & Cheese and More” has opened at the Destin Commons, offering customizable macaroni and cheese dishes and a variety of other menu items.

Owner Tj Chahal said he wanted to bring something unique to the area that evokes childhood memories with an adult twist.

• “I always loved food,” Chahal said. “I wanted to bring something unique to the area. A place for childhood memories but also with an adult twist.”

The restaurant allows customers to customize their mac and cheese bowls with a selection of vegetables, cheeses, and protein options, including vegan, gluten-free, and Beyond Meat alternatives. In addition to mac and cheese, the menu features sandwiches, flatbreads, grilled cheese, and freshly baked cookies.

“My favorite is the short rib and the lobster mac and cheese with double the protein,” Chahal said. “But I have seen some crazy concoctions, you get to be a child and choose whatever you want”.

Chahal also shared plans to expand the restaurant into Santa Rosa County, with a location planned between Navarre and Pensacola. “We’re really happy with all the support we have been getting from the community and tourists that come here,” he said.

“I Heart Mac & Cheese and More” is located in the Destin Commons between Smashburger and Chipotle. The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery through their website and services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and GrubHub.