BAGDAD — Bagdad Mill Site Park is officially open after 10 years of work. The park features a kayak launch, historical markers and fishing pier.
Doug Lasater, chairman of the Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership Inc. and original Blackwater Pyrates member, said many people are to thank for getting the park completed, though he cited five key components saying “in the dark days, these five continued to press on.”
The Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership’s mission, protecting the river, dovetails with the Blackwater Pyrates’ mission, the protection and promotion of local waterways, Lasater said. According to the BWFP website, the organization “has facilitated development of the park since 2005 (and) in 2006 the Partnership facilitated a visioning workshop with Santa Rosa County.”
University of West Florida, Lasater said, provided the key research for the historical and environmental markers which will tell the story of the mill site park as well as describe local flora and fauna. Ben Wells, with UWF, created the Blackwater Maritime Heritage Trail, a virtual trail documenting 4.1 miles of the river’s sunken ships and shoreline structures no longer standing.
Sheila Fitzgerald, grants coordinator for Santa Rosa County, secured funding for the park, Laseter said.
The county as well was a key player, Lasater said. The previous occupant of the park, an asphalt company from 1995 to 1999, left enormous concrete pillars underground.
Lasater said every time they tried to dig to plant a tree, they would find concrete. He said the county decided if the park was going to be completed well, these pillars would have to be removed.
Tom Scott, founder of the Blackwater Pyrates said the Pyrates donated the majority of the money to fund the park’s gate as well as the historical marker at the fishing pier. This would be the second marker the Pyrates have funded, the first being the one on the Riverwalk. The marker was unveiled, Monday, during the grand opening, giving a brief history of lumber production in Bagdad since 1829.
While phase one of the park has the kayak launch, markers, dog park, and picnic areas, phase two, Lasater said, will see boat docks, a gazebo and more.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Bagdad Mill Site Park: 10 years in the making