A 2,000-foot stretch of living shoreline along the Choctawhatchee Bay is now complete, capping a multi-year effort to protect parkland and create habitat for marine life on Okaloosa Island.
- Officials gathered Thursday at Ross Marler Park to cut the ribbon on the project, which shields Veterans Park and Marler Park from erosion.
“We are being good stewards to our beautiful area,” said Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel during the ceremony at Ross Marler Park. “These parks preserve the beauty for future generations.”
The $4.6 million project was funded through tourism bed tax revenue, a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and money from the RESTORE Council through the Gulf Consortium. It took years to complete and required coordination across multiple county departments, including grants, coastal resources, tourism development and public works.
Dr. Dana Stephens, County Extension Director and Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent for UF/IFAS, said the living shoreline is one of the largest in Okaloosa County.
- “[The living shoreline] will contribute to our coastal resilience that we have here in the county and that the county continues to promote,” Stephens said.
Living shorelines differ from traditional barriers by using natural materials and vegetation to stabilize coastlines. The approach costs less than conventional methods, reduces long-term maintenance and can actually expand the shoreline over time.
Stephens said extension services developed educational materials about the project, including information on the history of this particular shoreline and the environmental benefits it will provide.
Ketchel reflected on what draws people to the area — many of them military families who came for a tour and never left.
- “On a morning like this, we look around and see blue sky, seashore, white sands, herons, ospreys and eagles flying overhead,” she said. “The sound of whispering pine trees – and wonder how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful community.”
She acknowledged the pressures facing the region.
“Make no mistake that we are losing old Florida to tremendous growth,” Ketchel said.
She thanked Alex Fogg and the Natural Resources Team, along with Dr. Dana Stephens and her extension services staff, for their work helping the county care for its natural resources. Ketchel said her commitment to parks and historic preservation has been a longstanding goal and will continue.
“I think each of you are here because you love this as much as I do,” she told the crowd, “to preserve our beautiful area for future generations.”
