Groundbreaking Set For Escambia County’s Newest Boat Ramp

June 15, 2023

UPDATE – The Friday groundbreaking ceremony has been canceled due to weather.

A groundbreaking will be held Friday for Escambia County’s newest boat ramp, the first large public access to Perdido Bay.

The new 40-acre facility at 10836 Lillian Highway is located on Heron Bayou and will include a two-lane boat ramp, 62 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers, 22 parking spaces for vehicles without trailers, and a stormwater treatment facility. In addition, a new channel measuring at 2,260 feet long by 40 feet wide and a depth of five feet will be dredged from the launch facility to Perdido Bay.

Additional passive recreational opportunities include a landing area along the Perdido paddling trail with two primitive campsites and 11 acres of wetlands placed into conservation.

In 2013, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners funded the acquisition of the Perdido Boat Ramp property for $1.24 million through Local Option Sales Tax III. Project design was paid through a grant from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Vessel Registration Fees. The $4.2 million needed for construction is funded through U.S. Treasury RESTORE Direct Component funds, American Rescue Plan Act funds and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Natural Resource Damage Assessment Coastal Protection Fund.

The groundbreaking will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Comments

10 Responses to “Groundbreaking Set For Escambia County’s Newest Boat Ramp”

  1. A Blewer on August 5th, 2023 4:04 pm

    West Escambia county has been waiting 21 years for a boat ramp on the North Perdido Bay. We have BP money and Joe Biden stimulus money, where is Phase 2 ?There needs to be public input and a Shovel Ready Project for the Veterans Memorial Kids Park, Community center, fishing pier, Observation deck with a digital kiosk night sky map, nature trails with miniature dinosaurs (provided by the Pensacola Pelican Foundation). Why does Baldwin county have to have all the kid attractions, kid Parks, fishing Piers?
    No wonder all the Navy Federal Credit Union employees, hit the highway and go to Baldwin county or Santa Rosa county, and we’re held with a bill to make the roads better, so they can leave faster!

  2. David on June 16th, 2023 12:38 pm

    I used to fish the upper part of Heron Bayou, and it was nothing unusual to have encounters with gators. Once my outboard motor propeller hit an alligator, and I thought that I had sheared the pin. I saw the gators tail thrash the water and the grass alongside the bayou with alligators of all sizes. But if anyone does go there and have pets, keep them on a leash, for the wildlife loves them.

  3. Warren Boughton on June 16th, 2023 11:19 am

    Need to do same at smiths on Escambia river plus salvage all unsightly rotting and sunken boats

  4. fisherman on June 16th, 2023 9:00 am

    when will it open?????

  5. J Larry Seale on June 15th, 2023 10:57 pm

    we also need a couple for North Escambia bay……….

  6. Beulah Boy on June 15th, 2023 2:22 pm

    Watch out for the gators… bayou is full of them. Have seen alot at night with light and
    sitting out of water under the bridge there.

  7. Jaisgrmy on June 15th, 2023 11:12 am

    @Dave well said!

  8. Ruby Hurst on June 15th, 2023 10:36 am

    Will be nice to finally have some upper bay access without having to run all the way down from 90/Ruby’s. Hurst Hammock launch closing really threw a wrench in the gears.

  9. DLo on June 15th, 2023 8:08 am

    I can’t say it ant better than what Dave said, so…ditto

  10. Dave on June 15th, 2023 6:42 am

    As much as some people are going to dislike this it is going to be a blessing for the boaters around here. The high volume and growing water sports industry is continually growing and we may as well accept it because it will always be here and it funds a lot of businesses in this area. Crowed boat ramps often have accidents and almost always tempers flair because of the long wait. Top that off with the ones who don’t know what they are doing and just plain ole disrespectful of others time and you have a bad start to what should be a relaxing fun day on the water.
    To you boaters out there please get your boat ready to put in the water and pull away as soon as possible. Loading your ice chest, supplies, talking on the phone and sitting there trying to start a boat you should checked out before you left takes up valuable time others need. Do these things before you get on the ramp or move your boat and vehicle asap then load up. Be thoughtful, respectful, and helpful so everyone can have a good time. Remember that person you shout at and flip off is very likely to be the one passing by when your boat has quit and a friendly tow would be appreciated.