Rick Outzen September 23, 2025 1 Comment
Mayor D.C. Reeves announced at Tuesday’s press conference that the city is ready to begin gathering public input on how to spend the $2 million grant on repairing and reopening Bay Bluffs Park on Scenic Highway.
- He made it clear this isn’t going to be a top-down decision. “We’re not coming in with pre-planned ideas or asking you to pick from three predetermined options.”
Mark Your Calendar: The first public listening session is scheduled from 6:30–8:00 p.m. on October 22 at the Vickery Resource Center – chosen specifically because it’s the closest community center to Bay Bluffs Park.
- Can’t make it in person? No problem. The Parks and Recreation team is developing an online feedback survey that will be available through QR codes and website links, ensuring everyone cab contribute their ideas.
The community engagement represents a promise fulfilled. Mayor Reeves had committed to beginning this process after funding was secured. “We want to honor what I promised that we would do—to start this conversation as soon as possible.”
When Will We See Results?
Mayor Reeves was honest about the timeline for reopening the park that overlooks Escambia Bay. “There’s a world where near the end of 2026, middle to end of 2026, we could have some aspects open,” he said, though he was quick to add that it depends entirely on what the community decides it wants.
- The mayor presented an important trade-off to consider: simpler improvements, such as primitive trails with minimal infrastructure, could be implemented sooner, while more complex projects requiring specialized construction would naturally take longer and cost more to maintain.
Whether you’re a longtime advocate for the park’s return or someone just learning about the opportunity, your input matters. The October 22nd meeting marks the start of what promises to be an inclusive, community-driven process to revitalize Bay Bluffs Park.
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Author: Rick Outzen
Rick Outzen is the publisher/owner of Pensacola Inweekly. He has been profiled in The New York Times and featured in several True Crime documentaries. Rick also is the author of the award-winning Walker Holmes thrillers. His latest nonfiction book is “Right Idea, Right Time: The Fight for Pensacola’s Maritime Park.”
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1 thought on “Bay Bluffs Park Set for Major Comeback”
I am happy for Bay Bluffs. Give them their money specific to that parcel. It is gorgeous. I hope in the future the same young leaders lose their plan and Bayfront Parkway EPA grant that ruins my neighborhood and I hope they leave our Bayfront Parkway alone. There is a cross reference to this BAY BLUFF for a bike trail to connect the Bluff Park to the West side of Pensacola. It goes through the Bayfront Parkway (north of the sidewalk), It adds more asphalt . It could go down Wright Street. Given that, their proposed plan and drawings with the FDOT will RIP OUT 50 to 60 of the MEDIAN maturing OAK TREES providing canopy from their plantings of 2017 ala DOT / FDOT at a cost of $250,000 . The purpose was to provide a beautiful gateway to downtown. That grant was given and it complimented the Project Green Shores. . Please Save the BAYFRONT MEDIAN OAK TREES of the BAYFRONT PARKWAY. Just say not to the current 2026 FDOT plan on Bayfront Parkway to rip out and design this ugly asphalt road for the bikecentric . Pls Keep it a Roll and Stroll Bayfront. Just Tidy it Up Pensacola!…