Opal Beach Park officially open

NAVARRE BEACH, FL — Opal Beach Park and State Road 399 on Santa Rosa Island are now both completely open.
   
Major construction at Opal Beach Park ended last week and the entire park has been reopened to visitors. Portions of the park opened earlier this summer as construction was winding down.
   
“I can’t say it’s back to normal, but it’s moving in that direction,” said Jerry Eubanks, superintendent of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. “It’s normal enough we can get people back out there. We’re still doing cleanup.”
   
Despite the park reopening, some minor work is ongoing. Temporary showers have been installed, but permanent showers are being built. New signs also will be installed, Eubanks said.
   
Opal Beach’s pavilions have been rebuilt in the same place as the previous pavilions. The restrooms and road near the park have been reconfigured to make everything more accessible, Eubanks said.
   
Admission usually is $8 for a seven-day vehicle pass, but the National Park Service is offering free admission this Saturday and Sunday. A second weekend of free admission has been scheduled for Aug. 15 and 16.
   
SR 399, also called J. Earle Bowden Way, the 7-mile road that connects Navarre Beach to Pensacola Beach, also sustained massive damage from hurricanes Ivan and Dennis in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The road finally was reopened in March of this year.
   
With both the park and the road finally reopened, Eubanks said he is hoping for a mild hurricane season.
   
“We’re vulnerable, there’s no question about it,” he said.