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Contact: Stephenie Wade
GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- GULF BREEZE, Fla. –Gulf Islands National Seashore will open access to three new parking lots, seven beach crossovers, and a ½ mile multi-use trail in the Perdido Key Area on March 1.The $2.6 M project to improve visitor access and experience, restore habitat, and protect critical resources began in September.
Changes to the area include 7 new accessible boardwalks (6 along the road and 1 at the pavilion), the installation of three new paved parking areas to eliminate roadside parking, and the installation of new speed tables with pedestrian crosswalks.
The new ½ -mile bike/pedestrian trail is part of the previous Johnson Beach Road. It begins at the eastern point of the new parking area and continues east to the roundabout at the end. The beginning is easily identifiable by yellow barricades to prevent vehicle use and to provide a safe recreation trail walk or bike.
Dogs on a six-foot leash will be allowed on the roadway and multi-use path. They are not allowed on beaches or in the water.
The Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore is a vital resource open year-round as the only public beach available in the immediate area. In 2023 it received more than 805K visitors.
This area also provides critical habitat for the Perdido Key beach mouse, the most critically endangered small mammal in North America, as well as imperiled nesting shorebirds.
The project is funded by Gulf Restoration funding associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement in partnership with the Florida Trustee Implementation Group (TIG).
About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/guis, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
Last updated: February 29, 2024