Mariner’s Landing has been closed for eight years due to the 3-mile bridge being renovated and was further stayed closed after Hurricane Sally struck in 2020, causing the park to sustain more damage and delays. It is now nice to say that it is finally (partially) open!
The park is known as Mariners’ Landing and is owned by the Parks and Recreation Department of Gulf Breeze. The park has many spots for leisure activities such as multiple swinging benches, a beautiful view of the sea with many dolphins, a boat launch, covered picnic spots, and multiple spots for fishing. Only one side of the park is open; the other side is still under construction but will likely appear the same as the open side.
When going, you can spot many fish and animals. Pelicans hunting for fish, Dolphin interacting with each other, schools of small fish, sea snails and hermit crabs on the rocks, needlefish, catfish, and much more life amongst the algae on old concrete slabs and stones under the clear green water.
“It’s amazing to see it open and the improvements we’ve made down here,” said Mayor JB Schluter, according to Wear News ABC. “It was getting in bad shape, just the launch itself. So, there was a lot of stuff that needed to be done.” The park ended up costing around three million dollars in June, much more than the previous one point seven million previously allocated for the project.
As for payment, parking is one dollar an hour for non-Gulf Breeze residents, maxing at ten dollars, but your first thirty minutes are free. There’s also an annual pass for seventy-five dollars if you intend to use the park often. However, if someone walks there, there isn’t a fee at all to enjoy the park. The payment is made through the parking app Flowbird Parking, and annual passes are bought at the Gulf Breeze Community center.
Going outside is important for people, and seeing the sea can be a therapeutic experience that many land-bound states can’t experience. So go outside and see the sea, and the life that lives in it. It truly is a lucky beauty we have. Especially within walking distance of the school.