District completes shoreline restoration at Walsingham Park

HAVANA – The Northwest Florida Water Management District has completed its shoreline restoration efforts at Walsingham Park, site of a popular canoe and kayak launch located in Washington County and part of the Econfina Creek Water Management Area.

“The District is proud to celebrate the completion of this project, which allowed us to protect Econfina Creek and continue to provide public access to this beautiful natural resource for canoeists and kayakers,” said District Governing Board member Ted Everett. “We appreciate the support from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help make this project a success.”

The project began in the summer of 2015 when it was selected to receive FWC Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Section funds. The District completed engineering designs, permitting, and provided supervision, labor, and equipment for the project. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided technical assistance for the project.

Since the completion of work at Walsingham Park, the site has already undergone several significant flooding events and the restored shoreline is functioning as designed.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District has acquired a majority of the Econfina Creek corridor and Sand Hill Lakes Mitigation Bank for water resource protection, restoration, and preservation. The District owns more than 43,770 acres in fee simple and less-than-fee holdings along Econfina Creek, including the 2,155-acre Sand Hill Lakes Mitigation Bank.

Free, overnight camping is available at sites throughout the Econfina Creek Water Management Area by making a reservation through the District’s online reservation site. For more information on the District’s recreation activities, including instructions to make camping reservations, visit the District’s recreation site at https://nwfwp.sgssys.info/Lands/Recreation.