Navarre Beach Marine Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Navarre Beach Marine Park |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Navarre Beach Marine Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Navarre, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | Navarre, Florida |
| Established | May 2004 |
| Governing body | Santa Rosa County Department of Parks and Recreation |
Navarre Beach Marine Park is a special beach park in Florida, USA. It's on Santa Rosa Island, a long, thin piece of land between the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Sound. This park is managed by Santa Rosa County and is a great place for families to enjoy the beach, learn about ocean animals, and have fun outdoors. You can find it at 8704 Gulf Boulevard, Navarre, FL 32566.
Contents
A Look Back: The Park's Story
From State to County Park
Navarre Beach Marine Park has an interesting history! It first opened as a state park in May 2004. But just four months later, a big storm called Hurricane Ivan caused a lot of damage. Another storm, Hurricane Dennis, hit in 2005 and caused even more problems.
Because of the damage, the state decided it was best for the county to take over. So, in October 2005, Santa Rosa County started talking about managing the park. On October 9, 2009, the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners officially voted to take over the park.
In 2009, the park was renamed Navarre Beach County Park. Then, in 2013, it got its current name: Navarre Beach Marine Park.
Learning About the Ocean: Science Centers
Besides being a fun beach, Navarre Beach Marine Park is also a place for learning! In 2008, the Navarre Beach Marine Science Center opened in a former ranger station. This center was the first of three important groups focused on science and protecting nature in the park.
The second group, the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary, started in 2010. This sanctuary has special artificial reefs. These reefs are like underwater playgrounds for marine life and are great spots for snorkeling and scuba diving on both the Gulf and Sound sides of the park.
The newest group is the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. While they had been working for a few years, they opened a special building in the park in 2016. This center helps protect sea turtles.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Navarre Beach Marine Park has many cool things to do!
Beach Access and Water Fun
You can get to the beach at five different spots. Three main spots are on the Gulf of Mexico side, and two smaller ones are on the Santa Rosa Sound side. Two of these beach access points also have diving reefs, perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving to see fish and other sea creatures!
Paths and Picnics
The park has a path about one mile long. It's great for walking, running, or riding your bicycle. If you want to have a meal outdoors, there are a dozen pavilions. These pavilions have picnic tables and grills for cooking. All five beach access points also have public restrooms.
Keeping Everyone Safe
Safety is important at Navarre Beach Marine Park. Deputies from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office patrol the park to make sure everyone is safe. In the water, the Navarre Beach Lifeguards watch over swimmers. They are part of the Navarre Beach Fire Rescue team.
