Bay Bluffs Park

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Bay Bluffs Park
BayBluffParks.jpg
Size 42.26 acres
Operated by City of Pensacola
Location Scenic Highway at Summit Boulevard

Bay Bluffs Park is a 42-acre public park and nature preserve located along Scenic Highway. The park's two entrances, both with covered pavilions and public parking, provide access to about 800 feet of boardwalks and nature trails that descend the bluffs to the CSX Railroad and Escambia Bay beachfront.

In 2000 the city spent more than $200,000 on boardwalk renovations — $32,110 for the plasticized cedar beams and $184,000 for installation — to replace the 20-year-old timbers, which had become warped and splintered.[1] In October 2001, vandals set a fire that destroyed portions of the new boardwalk, forcing repairs of more than $35,000.[2] Vandals have also broken nature trail markers and spray-painted graffiti on the wooden rails.

On October 26, 2003, at around 12:20 a.m., the body of Dean Perry, Jr. was discovered at the park, killed by a single bullet to the back of the head.[3] His cousin, Omar Barnes, who was previously implicated in the death of his wife Sherry Barnes, was arrested in Fayetteville, NC and charged with first degree murder. He was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life in prison on April 6, 2005.[4]

Other images[edit]

References[edit]

  1. "Bay Bluffs Park to get new deck, boardwalk." Pensacola News Journal, January 21, 2000.
  2. "Final city approval nears for Bay Bluffs Park repairs." Pensacola News Journal, July 23, 2002.
  3. "Cousin sought in killing at Bluffs." Pensacola News Journal, October 28, 2003.
  4. "Man sentenced to life term." Pensacola News Journal, April 7, 2005.