Santa Rosa County, FL
07/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/22/2024 15:16
Bagdad Mill Site Park floating dock ribbon cutting
The public is invited to join the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners for a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. on Mon., July 29 to celebrate the completion of the floating dock at Bagdad Mill Site Park, 6953 Main St. in Bagdad.
The floating dock is close to where Pond Creek meets the historically significant Blackwater River on the north side of the Bagdad Mill Site Park. The newly constructed floating dock will give boaters a location to park and access the water.
Visitors to the park will also find historic markers and educational signs that chronicle some of the history of the Bagdad mill site. This addition to the park incorporates an educational sign highlighting the only remaining archaeological resource on site, the massive brick and concrete foundation of a steam-powered gang mill. The foundation contains impressions of the motor mounts for the steam engines and flywheel that operated the gang mill.
"We're happy to add another amenity for residents and visitors to enjoy at the Bagdad Mill Site Park," said Commissioner Kerry Smith, District 2. "The new floating dock not only enhances the park's accessibility but also serves as a testament to the collective efforts of the community who envisioned a space where history and leisure come together."
The 300-foot T-shaped floating dock project was made possible in part by sales tax dollars and a Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant.
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About Bagdad Mill Site Park
The 21-acre Bagdad Mill Site Park, located at 6953 Main St. in Bagdad, opened in May 2016 and offers a multi-use path, handicap-accessible fishing pier, picnic areas, benches, restrooms, kayak launch and educational displays.
Santa Rosa County, in close partnership with the Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership and other partners, worked for over 10 years to restore the property, undertake community visioning and master planning, identifying funding and developing the site into the passive park it is today for residents/visitors to enjoy.