This site is for informational purposes only and not an official City of Destin website
Artistic Renderings - Do not necessarily accurately reflect what will be constructed.
Overview
Explore and gain insights into the Joe's Bayou Recreation Area Improvements Project. Provide feedback through our online survey and check in on the status of the project.
In partnership with the City of Destin, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the implementing Trustee for this Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) restoration project resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. FDEP selected Taylor Engineering, Inc., DAG Architects Inc., and Halff Associates, Inc. (team) to engage the community and conduct project planning, permitting, design, bidding, and construction administration.
Participate
What We Heard!
In March of 2022, the design team conducted a community survey that included more than 400 participants. Utilizing the survey results and feedback from city staff, the design team developed a master plan.
Goals
The intent of this project is to provide and enhance recreational opportunities for the public to access water resources. Generally, this includes improving access to the existing boat ramp, enhancing recreational amenities, and enhancing and restoring the topography and natural resources at Joe’s Bayou Recreation Area and Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk. The project also incorporates broader goals of FDEP and the City, including ADA accessibility, environmental stewardship, sustainability, and resiliency.
Funding for the project is limited to the improvements described in the NRDA Final Restoration Plan 1 and Environmental Assessment. These eligible improvements include the following
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Boat Ramps and Access Piers
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Fishing Pier
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Boardwalks and Nature Trails
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Paddle-craft Launching
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Parking
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Restrooms
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Shore Protection (e.g., reef breakwaters, retaining walls, restoration of natural shorelines)
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Pond Restoration (e.g., littoral planting, aeration)
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Wetland, Saltmarsh, and Upland Restoration (e.g., native species planting, invasive/exotic species removal)
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Stormwater Treatment and Drainage
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Lighting
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Landscaping, Benches, and Trash Receptacles
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Educational/Interpretive Signage
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ADA Access
Existing Site Photos
Timeline
Visioning + Regulatory Process
The design team explores options to create, develop, and document a single design based on analyzed data, stakeholder engagement, regulatory input, and project goals.
Data + Discover
The design team will assemble available resources, collect data, and analyze existing conditions to inform the project design.
Public + Government Engagement
Project stakeholders have the opportunity for input regarding the design of the project. The public can engage in an online survey and a public workshop that will inform project planning. FDEP and the City will review and engage with the consultant team during critical project milestones.
CITY REVIEW
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
WEBSITE & SURVEY
DATA COLLECTION
PROJECT INITIATION
PROGRESS UPDATES
CONSTRUCTION
ADMINISTRATION
CONSTRUCTION
PLANNING ASSESSMENTS
MASTERPLAN SKETCH
PRELIMINARY DESIGN
INTERMEDIATE DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION
DOCUMENTS & BIDDING
PERMIT ISSUANCE
PERMIT APPLICATIONS
PROJECT CLOESOUT
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Milestones
1
Website & Survey
The design team will develop a project website to keep the public informed of the status of the project and develop an online survey to gather public feedback. The online survey results are a critical data component that will be used during the planning, design, and permitting phases of the project.
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Planning Assessments
The planning assessments document the detailed review of available and collected data (including the online survey) by engineers and architects. During this stage, the team uses data to evaluate design considerations for major project features and provides recommendations for implementation. The team will consider park facilities and site circulation, boat ramp access and navigation, traffic and parking, stormwater, coastal protection, and environmental restoration.
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Masterplan Sketch
Using the results of the planning assessments, the team will create a master plan sketch depicting the proposed project features in plan view. The masterplan sketch will be used to gather feedback from FDEP and the City to confirm that the project features will meet funding requirements and fulfill project goals.
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Preliminary Design-Level
The preliminary design-level is where engineers and architects develop the planning recommendations into design drawings using feedback from FDEP and the City. At this level, the team will estimate construction costs and introduce the project to regulatory agencies to ensure the design is feasible.
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Public Workshop
At the preliminary design-level, the team will have a feasible design basis to present to the public. The team will hold a virtual and in-person public workshop to introduce the masterplan sketch and preliminary designs. At this workshop the team will also present their planning and design considerations, including the results of the online survey. The team will gather public feedback and be available to answer questions regarding specific project features.
City Review
At this milestone, the City will conduct a detailed review of the planning and preliminary design documents as well as the results of the public workshop. In coordination with FDEP, the City Council, staff, and Parks and Recreation Committee will provide comments and meet with the design team to discuss any requested changes.
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Intermediate Design-Level
The design team will use feedback from the public, FDEP, and City to further the progression of the engineering design from the preliminary to intermediate design-level. At this level, major design decisions are finalized and will be used to support state and federal regulatory review (permit applications). Any changes at this level of design should only result from review comments provided by the regulatory agencies.
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Construction Documents & Bidding
Once the regulatory agencies provide notice that the project is permittable, the design team will prepare detailed final construction drawings and specifications. These documents will incorporate any changes required during formal regulatory review. The construction documents will include additional information necessary to solicit qualified contractor bids and be used for project construction. FDEP will administer bidding through the State’s competitive bidding process and select a qualified contractor for construction.
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Construction - To Start 2025
The awarded contractor will construct the project in accordance with the construction documents and permits and in close coordination with the consultant team, FDEP, and City. Active construction will occur over approximately a one-year period.
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Project Closeout
Once construction has been determined to be complete, the project team will coordinate regulatory certifications, statements of completion, and City certificates. FDEP will then return the project to the City and the park will be open to the public.