Pensacola and its communities

POPULATION
Approximately 55,000 people live year-round in the Pensacola city limits, with more added each year. As Pensacola grows, so does Escambia County, which now has approximately 297,000 residents.

The youthful populations of the Naval Air Station, the University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College combine with the large group of military and civilian retirees for a stimulating mix of energy, skills and concerns that greatly enhances the quality of life in the area.

GOVERNMENT
Pensacola operates under a councilmanager form of government with 10 council members elected to two-year terms. The city manager is appointed by the council, and the mayor is elected by popular vote. The city’s bond rating is Standard and Poor’s Class Aand AAA.

Escambia County is governed by a five-member board of commissioners. One commissioner is elected from each district to serve a four-year term, and the commissioners also appoint a county administrator. The county has a Moody’s AAA bond rating.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES
East Hill, Cordova Park, Warrington, Gulf Beach, Cantonment—these are all neighborhoods and communities in the Pensacola Area, and if you’re new to the area they can be confusing. The University of West Florida and the communities of Gonzalez and Cottage Hill are all located in northern Pensacola. The main UWF campus is 1,600 acres of rolling hills, natural woodlands and nature trails that run along the Escambia River, and it is located only 10 miles north of downtown Pensacola. This area continues to grow and expand, and access to downtown Pensacola and the beaches is only a short ride down Interstate 110.

Gonzalez is a small, unincorporated community covering 11.27 square miles in Escambia County. Nearby communities include Ensley and Ferry Pass. West Florida Hospital and the Baptist Medical Park are easily accessible from this area, as well as restaurants and stores like Target and Albertson's.

Pensacola Regional Airport, Pensacola Junior College, Cordova Mall and surrounding shopping centers are in Northeast Pensacola, which includes the Spanish Trail area and Cordova West. Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Target and other well-known restaurants and stores and Sacred Heart Hospital, are located in this area.

The neighborhoods of Carriage Hills and Marcus Pointe (a golf-course community), are in northwest Pensacola, south of Interstate 10 and west of U.S. 29.

University Mall and Ensley are part of north central Pensacola, an area with easy access to I-110, I-10 and other main thoroughfares in Pensacola such as Davis Highway, U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road. Ensley is an unincorporated community north of Pensacola with approximately 19,000 residents. The community is located off of U.S. 29.

South Pensacola includes the downtown area with its shops, businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues and historical sites. Just west from downtown is the community of North Hill. This residential area is a historic district with some of the original brick and stone roads intact.

Many large, Victorian homes grace this neighborhood, some over 100 years old.

Southeast Pensacola is home to Cordova Park, East Hill, East Pensacola Heights and Bayfront. Bayou Texar separates East Hill from East Pensacola Heights. Cordova Park is located near the airport and is a neighborhood with a five-star elementary school that is ranked among the "A" schools in the state of Florida.

East Hill is a neighborhood full of quaint, restored homes that display a remarkable number of different architectural styles.

The northern entry to East Hill is 12th Avenue, which features the landmark canopy of trees that once marked the entrance to a large family estate.

Warrington is a suburb of Pensacola to the southwest and is primarily a residential community that encompasses 9.25 square miles. Warrington has been the focus of revitalization efforts for several years. The community includes a wealth of small businesses.

This community is also the gateway to Pensacola Naval Air Station, which includes the National Museum of Naval Aviation. NAS Pensacola is also the home base for the Blue Angels flight demonstration team.

Southwest Pensacola includes the Pensacola Country Club, Gulf Beach and parts of the Perdido Bay area.

West Pensacola includes the communities of Myrtle Grove and Beulah. Myrtle Grove is near Pensacola’s metro area, while Beulah is a rural community that has the convenience of being near the city but maintains a rural feel.

The northwestern area of Escambia County includes Cantonment, Molino and Century. The Champion International Golf Course and areas such as Pine Forest, Kingsfield Road, Highway 297A and Milestone can all be found in Cantonment.

Century is in the northwestern part of Escambia County. It is connected by a road to I- 65, 20 minutes north, and I-10, approximately 40 minutes south. The Escambia River, which offers countless fishing and camping opportunities, flows through the community. Century is also home to Lake Stone, a 130- acre freshwater lake stocked with bass, bluegill and catfish.

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Gulf Breeze
a community at home with the water

Peakes Point, Deer Point, Butcherpen Cove and other colorful place names in Gulf Breeze reveal that this modern city had rustic beginnings. In fact, by the end of World War II, Gulf Breeze was still a fanciful name for the swampy area with more wildlife than people. Just the name Gulf Breeze evokes images of a place where balmy winds brush across sun-warmed, white sandy beaches.

Gulf Breeze is a waterfront community that prides itself on its fine small-town character, quality education and multitudes of waterfront activities.

Located on a 25-mile long, 3/4-mile wide peninsula in south Santa Rosa County, Gulf Breeze is connected by the Pensacola Bay Bridge to the city of Pensacola and by the Bob Sikes Bridge over Santa Rosa Sound to Pensacola Beach.

The City of Gulf Breeze was incorporated in 1961 and enjoys a stable local government recognized as a leader in financial programs and one of the first fully accredited police departments in the region. The city of Gulf Breeze operates under a council-manager form of government.

The mayor and city council are responsible for making policy decisions for the community. The appointed city manager is responsible for coordinating, implementing and evaluating all policies, procedures and programs.

The Department of Community Services oversees many services that have helped the city of Gulf Breeze attain the rating of one of Florida’s model cities, including the city’s code of ordinances.

These ordinances are designed to enhance the safety, aesthetic value and quality of life in the community.

Gulf Breeze enjoys economic input from visitors heading in both directions. While many businesses cater to visitors, the year-round population enjoys all the services needed to maintain a quality lifestyle.

Gulf Breeze has seen tremendous growth. The number of new residents and businesses is steadily increasing.

Residents support and work for a growing business economy. Long-range plans are in place to secure the economy by maintaining a strong military presence, increasing tourism and supporting local businesses.

The income level of residents is among the highest in Florida. One-of-a-kind homes and endless private boat docks line the shoreline with winding irregularities that create more waterfront property per acre than the most ingenious developer could design.

Almost half of the land within the city limits is set aside for playgrounds and parks. Baseball and softball fields, lighted tennis courts, a basketball court and a soccer/football stadium are lively with action during the appropriate seasons. Sunset Kids Park on Shoreline Drive entertains families year-round. The Tiger Point Recreation Park just east of the city limits on U.S. 98 is the newest addition to the area’s recreational facilities. This 30-acre county facility provides soccer fields, baseball fields, a children’s playground and a jogging/walking track.

Gulf Breeze is also home to the largest national seashore in the national park system. Gulf Islands National Seashore includes Naval Live Oak Reservation, a recreational area with a visitor’s center and six miles of trails to explore.

The abundance and quality of health care in a town the size of Gulf Breeze is a surprise to newcomers. A sophisticated hospital offers 24-hour service. Many private medical specialties are available.

High-tech and high-touch is the dual description for Gulf Breeze Hospital. The modern facility boasts as much about its warm atmosphere as it does advanced equipment. And Gulf Breeze is home to a worldclass orthopedics and sports medicine facility, the Andrews Institute. East of Gulf Breeze is The Zoo Northwest Florida, which features 1,000 animals, a petting zoo and 30 acres of free-roaming wildlife.

Top-notch public safety makes Gulf Breeze an especially safe place to live.

An active traffic-safety program and aggressive drug enforcement contribute to Gulf Breeze having one of the lowest crime rates in Florida.

Education is one of the top priorities in Gulf Breeze. Students enjoy a full complement of challenging courses, athletic programs and extra-curricular activities. The area’s four schools consistently score above the state and nationsal averages on all standardized exams. Gulf Breeze High School ranks as one of the top three high schools in the state in overall quality, in addition to rating high in preparing students for college.

Active PTA, PTO and booster clubs enhance the work of school officials to help Gulf Breeze students reach their full potential.

Local Information

Pensacola Commute Time:
10 minutes

Airport Commute Time:
20 minutes to Pensacola Regional Airport

City Hall:
1070 Shoreline Drive
(850) 934-5100

Chamber:
Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce,
409 Gulf Breeze Parkway,
(850) 932-7888, fax (850) 934-4601
E-mail: info@gulfbreezechamber.com

Library:
1060 Shoreline Drive,
(850) 932-5166

Recreation:
South Santa Rosa Recreation Center
(850) 934-5140

Post Office:
100 Northcliff Drive
(850) 932-0156

Zip Code:
32561 (city), 32563 (outside city limits)

Web site: www.gulfbreezechamber.com

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Milton
welcome home to Milton

The city of Milton is a small town nestled within the county seat of Santa Rosa in the western part of the Florida Panhandle. It is among the oldest cities in Florida, incorporated under the Florida Territorial Acts of 1844, and is only a 30-minute drive from Pensacola.

Milton’s diverse cultural heritage can be easily traced back to 1559 when the area was first explored by Don Tristan de Luna, who named the bay south of Milton Santa Maria de Galvez, and by the six flags that have flown over the area representing Spain, France, England, the West Florida Republic, the Confederate States of America and the United States.

This hamlet-like village of over 32,000 in the Milton area used to be known as “Scratch Ankle” because of the briars growing along its banks. It differs geographically from its coastal Pensacola cousin because of its thick cedar forests, magnolia and pine, and an abundance of freshwater creeks and rivers that thread their way through the county. These include the Coldwater Creek, Juniper Creek and, of course, the Blackwater River, which served as the area’s main transportation artery for the timber, lumber, brick and ship-building industries.

The river, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually, is perfect for those who love to kayak, tube, raft or canoe because of its shallow waters, natural beauty and sandbars.

There are opportunities to camp overnight and plenty of room for those who love to freshwater fish, boat or water ski. In the fall, there is ample opportunity to enjoy hunting and fishing.

For families more interested in pursuing the historical aspects of the community, there is the recently discovered and excavated remains of the Arcadia Mill, which was hidden deep in the swamp area near Milton. This mill introduced Northwest Florida to the Industrial Revolution with a water-powered sawmill, quarry, grist mill, cotton mill and the first textile mill in the South to turn local natural resources into finished consumer products—all within the first half of the 19th century. The mill features a museum and a walking tour displaying its history. If you are a railroad-history buff, there is a restored depot built in 1909 that now houses the Museum of Railroading. It even has an authentic rail car and a bridge-tender’s house.

The early economic relationship with the land fostered during this period continues to this day. Local area farmers’ markets still take advantage of the 300-day growing season, and the region produces cotton, soybeans, corn, wheat, peanuts, melons, pecans, strawberries, blueberries and peaches. Local family-owned nurseries also take advantage of this growing period and produce tropical and landscaping plants for the area as well.

Milton features many golf courses, including at The Moors, Tanglewood Golf Club, Whiting Field Golf Course and Stonebrook Golf Club.

Downtown Milton is the focus of revitalization efforts totaling $100,000. These projects, a result of the combined efforts of the city council, the community and the chamber of commerce, are a further expression of the long-standing commitment local residents have been known for over the years regarding the importance of the preservation of their land and their heritage.

The Riverwalk in downtown Milton, the outdoor mural project and the veteran’s memorial are all manifestations of the pride that residents have in their small-town community. Family values, charm, amenities and hospitality are all part of the Milton persona.

Local Information

Pensacola Commute Time:
25 min. to 1 hour

Airport Commute Time:
25 min. to Pensacola Regional

Milton City Hall:
6738 Dixon St.
(850) 983-5400

Chamber:
Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce
5247 Stewart St.
(850) 623-2339

Library:
5641 Alabama St.
(850) 623-5565

Parks and Recreation:
Milton Parks Dept.
(850) 983-5466

Post Office:
5111 Dogwood Drive
(850) 623-3808

Zip Code: 32583

Chamber Web site:
www.srcchamber.com

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Pace
committed to growth and natural beauty

More than 52,000 residents now live in the area surrounding Pace between the eastern banks of the Escambia River to Pond Creek and the northern side of Escambia Bay. These areas include the communities of Pace, Chumuckla Floridatown, Pea Ridge, Wallace, Harp and Mulat.

Despite its fast growth and reputation for having the highest number of newly built homes in the state, Pace has been able to maintain its relaxing hometown atmosphere, commitment to providing outstanding schools, hospitals and ancillary emergency medical services, and its development of beautiful and functional neighborhoods. As the area continues to grow, the demands placed on Pace’s community leaders, chamber of commerce members and community representatives have been to create not only a sustainable and viable plan for the area’s expansion but one that also contains as part of its underpinning a strong commitment to stewardship — not only to the land but to the area’s resources.

To ensure this vision would continue, Pace’s community leaders carefully reviewed and analyzed the long-term and immediate growth needs of the area in an effort to create an environment that would satisfy the best of all possible worlds.

What has this meant to the people of Pace? It means the community has committed itself to development that does not compromise the natural beauty of the area. It means neighborhoods will be vital and diverse and that residents will have ample choices in shopping and entertainment.

Pace is considered by many to be one of the best places in Northwest Florida to live, and with the ongoing housing boom in the area it’s hard to disagree. Its cutting-edge development philosophy and foresight have allowed the community to grow and prosper. New businesses that have arrived in recent years include Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Ruby Tuesday’s, Ryan’s Steakhouse, Village Inn—and more are on the way. Among these, a plethora of small businesses continues to flourish.

Pace is a stone’s throw from all sorts of outdoor recreation spots. These include marinas, horse stables, parks, fishing camps and the beautiful Blackwater River State Park. There is also a new, state-of-the-art bowling alley and a movie theater.

On West Spencer Field Road is the Benny Russell Memorial Park, which is a truly extraordinary playground for children. The construction of this park was a community effort, and it now draws visitors from Pensacola and other communities nearby. North of Pace are the rural communities of Jay and Chumuckla. Chumuckla is home to the Farmers’ Opry, which is an extraordinary venue for bluegrass music and good food.

Despite all of the hustle and bustle that comes from growth, Pace has dedicated itself to maintaining its charms and its community values.

One of the most important populations Pace has is its children.

Pace takes great pride in being able to state that its schools received the highest FCAT scores in the state in 2003; the Pace High School Band took top honors at the Cotton Bowl during its attendance at the national competition; and the Navy JROTC presence in Pace has been recognized as one of the best in military leadership. Plus, there are two universities and four colleges serving the area.

Pace is also conveniently located between Milton and Pensacola, giving community members access to the Pensacola Regional Airport, the Milton Riverwalk and hundreds of choices for entertainment, fine or casual dining and top-of-the-line shopping choices. For residents of this relaxed community, it’s just enough city and just enough country — the best of both worlds.

Local Information

Pensacola Commute Time:
30 min.

Airport Commute Time:
25 min. to Pensacola Regional

Chamber:
Pace Area Chamber of Commerce
4344 U.S. 90, Pace, FL 32571
(850) 994-9633 (fax) (850) 994-9577

Web site: www.pacechamber.com

Parks and Recreation:
Pace Athletic Recreation Association
4280 Woodbine Road,
(850) 994-8757

Benny Russell Park & Kathy Russell Garden
5417 W. Spencer Field Road,
(850) 995-0777

Friends of Pace Area Library (850) 994-9542
Web site: www.friendsofpacelibrary.org

Post Office:
4584 Chumuckla Highway
(850) 994-9215

Zip Code: 32571

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Pensacola Beach
the Gulf is your backyard

The beaches of the Panhandle are famous for their sugar- white, finely textured sand and their turquoise waters.

Could there be a better place to unfold a blanket, take a walk, swim or play? As you leave Gulf Breeze and drive over the bridge to the beach, you can see immediately why the beaches of Santa Rosa Island are visited by so many tourists each year. No matter which way you look, you will see beautiful, clear water, and, of course, the famous white sand. The color comes from the fact that the sand is made up of almost pure quartz.

Pensacola Beach is owned by Escambia County and is under the direction of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. The Island Authority was created by the Florida legislature in 1947. It does not receive tax support from the taxpayers of the county. It is fully funded from rental fees collected from business and residences on the beach.

The Authority is made up of six members; five are named by members of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, and their term is the same as the commissioner who appointed them. The sixth member is elected by the registered voters on Pensacola Beach. The sixth member’s term is two years. Because of legal restrictions placed by the United States government, land may not be purchased on Pensacola Beach; instead property is leased by the Island Authority for varying periods of time.

Pensacola Beach is about 1,474 acres, which make up approximately 30 percent of Escambia County on Santa Rosa Island. Pensacola Beach is about eight miles long and a quarter mile at its widest. At the present time 60 percent of Pensacola Beach is public use or public service land, with the remaining 40 percent leased for residential and commercial use.

The beach is home to an elementary school—Pensacola Beach Elementary School. Middle- and high-schoolers in public school attend Gulf Breeze public schools or magnet-school programs.

Access to the beach is by way of the Bob Sikes toll bridge from Gulf Breeze.

Pensacola Beach took a serious beating from Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, but it came back strong. Restoration and reconstruction continues.

Just past the toll gate on the left, there are jet-ski, parasailing, sailboarding and boat rentals. To the right is a marina where many charter fishing opportunities await. Next is the Quietwater boardwalk complex, which is home to many excellent restaurants, eateries, boutiques and nightspots. Beyond that the beach opens up into a lively mixture of public beaches, dunes, hundreds of unique homes and rentals, and towering hotels and condominiums.

Pensacola Beach offers its residents and visitors a variety of outdoor water and land activities. The fishing pier on the Gulf of Mexico, which is more than 1,400 feet long, is perfect for fishing, strolling or simply watching the sun go down.

There are many opportunities for bicycle rentals, boat rentals— all of the activities tourists expect at a beach community. But unlike many resort towns, people live on Pensacola Beach year-round.

The Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Pensacola beach area stretches from the eastern end of Perdido Key, across the Pensacola Pass to Santa Rosa Island, beyond Pensacola Bay to the fort areas at the Naval Air Station, to the Santa Rosa peninsula east of Gulf Breeze. The parks sustained heavy damage in the hurricane, so call (840) 934-2600, or visit www.nps.gov/guis for information regarding damage and restricted vs. non-restricted areas.

In summer, Pensacola Beach is the site for the annual Blue Angels Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron’s air show. Pilots of the famous squadron perform approximately 30 maneuvers during the aerial demonstration as they fly over the beach — including their famous delta formation, which requires six jets to perform maneuvers as a whole unit.

Influenced by both Spanish and French cultures, Fiesta of Five Flags and Mardi Gras events occur year-round, and there is plenty of activity all year long at the Gulfside Pavilion, the Quietwater Shell on the Boardwalk and several local restaurants and lounges that cater to blues, jazz, reggae and country music. Bands on the Beach caters to great local, regional and national bands playing top-notch blues every Tuesday night from spring to fall. Old-fashioned trolleys run up and down the beach during the summer, so visitors can leave the car and let someone else chauffeur them from spot to spot.

Small beach cottages, beautiful new condos, large palatial homes and that down-home Southern welcome are all part of the Pensacola beach scene. Although the official tourist season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, local residents and an ever increasing number of visitors now enjoy this destination during the fall and winter months as well because the climate is mild enough year-round to enjoy outdoor recreation.

If beautiful sunsets, gorgeous beaches, delectable seafood and peaceful walks on the beach are your idea of the perfect vacation, come to Pensacola Beach— it’s got all of these amenities and many, many more.

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Perdido Key
pristine beaches with charm

Lost Land was the romantic Spanish name for Perdido Key. The secluded bay was a haven for pirates prowling the Gulf between Pensacola and New Orleans. Stories of Jean Lafitte, buried treasures and ghosts are a colorful part of Perdido’s heritage.

Joe Gilchrist has lived on Perdido Key for the last 25 years. He likes the cross-section of people who live on the key. "There are pilots, fishermen, military— interesting people like that. "There is a certain amount of magic and charm about living with water all around you, and the music is great."

Gilchrist makes reference that Perdido Key is home to the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. People come to the festival from Norway, England, Australia, all over. These songwriters descend on the Key the latter part of November.

Modern place names such as Pirate’s Cove reflect Perdido’s swashbuckling past. Perdido remained “lost” and unspoiled while the rest of Florida was being developed. Until the past decade only a few fishing camps and modest year-round residences dotted the meandering shoreline around Perdido Bay. Today, magnificent waterfront homes and luxurious condominiums are changing the skyline; but Perdido still offers an uncrowded, relaxed atmosphere for visitors and residents.

A sample of what the early explorers saw can still be found at Big Lagoon State Park on Gulf Beach Highway. The vast stretches of undeveloped coastland are open to the public every day of the year for sightseeing, hiking, water recreation, picnicking and overnight camping.

Unfortunately, Big Lagoon—like the rest of Perdido Key—was ground zero for Hurricane Ivan. The community will struggle to rebuild for quite some time to come.

With water on three sides and a mild climate, Perdido offers year-round boating recreation. Sailboats, windsurfers and water skiers ply the protected waters of Big Lagoon, while charter boats and larger vessels cruise south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Perdido Key is part of Escambia County and is governed by the Board of County Commissioners. Perdido Key is strictly zoned to maintain its beauty, but there are many vacation and residential units available. Sixty-three percent of this barrier island on Pensacola’s western side is protected from development by the Gulf Islands National Seashore and the State of Florida.

Johnson Beach is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore serving the Perdido area. This lovely stretch of clean, white beach and sparkling water offers the added plus of not being as crowded as its Pensacola counterpart. Two state-of-the-art golf courses and golf clubs are at Lost Key Golf Club and Sportsman Golf Resort. In addition to the songwriters festival, Perdido Key is home to an annual polar-bear dip and the Interstate Mullet Toss, which is an offbeat festival that draws international attention.

As with any new resort area, it isn’t long before people realize that a great vacation spot can also be a great hometown. Each year more people are choosing year-round residency in this far west corner of Escambia County.

Local Information

Pensacola Commute Time:
25 minutes (15 miles)

Airport Commute Time:
45 minutes to Pensacola Regional Airport

Chamber:
Perdido Key Beach Area Chamber,
15500 Perdido Key Drive
(850) 492-4660 or (800) 328-0107

E-mail: chamber@perdidochamber.com

Library:
Southwest Branch Library,
12248 Gulf Beach Highway
(850) 453-7780

Parks and Recreation:
Big Lagoon State Recreation Area,
12301 Gulf Beach Highway
(850) 492-1595

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Johnson Beach, Johnson Beach Road (850) 492-0912

Post Office:
Innerarity Point,
13019 Sorrento Road
(850) 492-1756

Sheriff ’s Radio Sub-Station
(850) 492-2444

Zip Code: 32507

Web site: perdidochamber.com

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Navarre
the secret is getting out

Navarre has been called Florida’s best-kept secret, but the word is definitely getting out. Residential growth has more than doubled over the past 10 years, making it one of the fastest-growing communities in Santa Rosa County. Navarre is bordered on the north by Holley, which is surrounded on all sides by Eglin Air Force Base. Navarre Beach, south of Navarre across the Santa Rosa Sound, is bordered on the east by Eglin, on the west by Gulf Islands National Seashore, and on the south by the Gulf of Mexico.

Col. Guy H. Wyman, a retired U.S. Army engineer, founded Navarre in 1925 and named it after his wife’s favorite picturesque province in northern Spain.

The area, unpopulated at the time, initiated its growth as a tourist destination with the building of the Navarre Beach Bridge. This opened the gates for everyone to experience and enjoy the pristine natural Gulf Coast beaches and warm, emerald waters on the other side of the Santa Rosa Sound. Agroup of businessmen built the Navarre Fishing Pier shortly thereafter, and year-round residents began to move to the community. Hotels, restaurants, condominiums, shopping and retail opportunities were soon to follow and have continued to prosper in this growing community. However, conservation was not forgotten, which is why miles of the Gulf Islands National Seashore still exist today just as pure and unspoiled as they have been for centuries.

The Navarre Beach area is popularly referred to as a bedroom community, but that too is beginning to change. With a record number of new homes and businesses, Navarre is becoming a thriving community.

Navarre offers both new and existing homes in a variety of neighborhoods— gated communities, wooded areas, on the beach, on the sound, bayside or within any number of new and established subdivisions.

Navarre has also welcomed many new businesses, including Publix Supermarket. Residents are enjoying shopping in the architecturally upscale shopping center, and with plans for the Navarre Town Center in the works, great shopping and business opportunities will continue to flourish. State Road 87 will continue to grow as a business district for Navarre as well. The Navarre Beach area continues to recover from Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, but the community has pulled together and is working hard to restore the area’s beauty.

In 2004, a new state park opened on the eastern portion of Navarre Beach, preserving the pristine beachfront for recreation. The new additional 130 acres at Navarre Beach State Park border Eglin Air Force Base property.

Reconstruction of the Navarre Nature Walk and Panhandle Butterfly House is almost complete and will include the rebuilding of the waterfront boardwalk, pier, playground, picnic-area restrooms, duck pond and visitors’ information center. The Panhandle Butterfly House is home to 200 native butterflies and 1,200 native plants for a hands-on experience that’s not to be missed.

All stages of the butterflies’development can be observed in a natural habitat. Plans have also been made to build an underwater marine sanctuary that will serve as a site for marine life and recreational diving and snorkeling.

Navarre boasts an excellent school system, with educational facilities available at the kindergarten through high-school level, with three elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The area’s schools consistently score above the state and national averages on all standardized exams.

Higher education is easily accessible with just a short drive to the east or west from Navarre. The University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College are both located in Pensacola.

Students attending PJC have the option of attending evening classes that are offered at Navarre High School.

Toward the east in Okaloosa County, classes are available through Troy State University and Okaloosa-Walton College.

The Navarre Sports Complex hosts youth activities including softball, baseball, football and soccer, and the local YMCA offers a variety of activities for the entire family, including after-school activities, swim classes, camps, aerobics and karate. The Sports Complex hosts youth activities including softball, baseball, football and soccer. The 30-acre facility boasts eight baseball fields, two basketball courts, three teeball fields, six batting cages, a soccer and football field, walking and biking path, conference centers and a gymnasium.

Golf is a favorite outdoor activity. Hidden Creek Golf Course has been rated one of the finest golf facilities in Northwest Florida and recognized as one of the top places to play in North America by Golf Digest Magazine.

Baptist Medical Park provides the Navarre area with excellent medical services. This state-of-the-art health-care facility includes urgent-care services, outpatient surgery and a host of personal, family and specialty physicians.

The Navarre Youth Sports Association is run by volunteers who invest hours of time for the children of Navarre.

The Navarre Soccer Park is currently under construction but when completed will have five-lighted soccer fields and plenty of parking.

Local Information

Pensacola Commute Time:
40 minutes

Airport Commute Time:
45 minutes to Pensacola Regional Airport or one hour to Okaloosa Regional Airport

Chamber:
Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce,
1917 Navarre School Road, P.O. Box 5430
(until fall) (850) 939-3267

Library:
Navarre Branch Library
8484 James Harvell Road
(850) 936-6120

Parks and Recreation:
(850) 939-1259, Ext. 1440 or 1441

Navarre Youth Sports Association
P. O. Box 5518
(850) 939-5202

Post Office:
1910 Navarre School Road
(850) 939-0381

Zip Code: 32566

Web site: www.navarrechamber.com