Beasley Park to open in time for beach crowds
OKALOOSA ISLAND - Beasley Park will reopen full-time for Memorial Day weekend, whether the roofing project started two weeks ago is complete or not, says Okaloosa County Public Works Manager Theresa Norris.
"We'll reopen the park as planned," she said. "They may have to go back and get the rest of the work done later in the season."
Inmates from Okaloosa Correctional Institution have been installing a metal, seamed roof on the pavilion.
Materials were budgeted at about $50,000, but are expected to come in at a lower price tag, Norris said. She estimated the final cost will be $35,000 to $40,000.
The popular gulf-front park has been closed during the week but open on weekends since the work began.
"That's when you have the majority of the people out there," Norris said. "We really haven't had an issue at all. It's early in the season still."
Beasley Park is one of the two most heavily used parks in the county.
Marler Park, which is on the Choctawhatchee Bay side of Okaloosa Island, also has a lot of visitors, Norris said.