The remains of an iconic landmark in Inlet Beach have officially been torn down.
Built more than 60 years ago, the pier at Camp Helen State Park had been ravaged by some of the worst storms this area has seen, especially the 1975 Hurricane Eloise.
What was left of the pier is just a few piles of wood, until recently. The final pieces of the structure have been uprooted from the sand and removed.
TrumanTrumanBeach Fanatic654 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
TrumanBeach Fanatic654 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic3,677 views
Replies
17
KurtKurtAdminSoWal2,472 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin
KurtAdminSoWal2,472 postsJoined View profileMessageAdmin#21
BluznbeachBluznbeachBeach Lover185 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
BluznbeachBeach Lover185 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover#31
I took this in 2013. I know it was a wreck, but am still sorry to see it go.
PbpbPbpbBeach ComberRosemary38 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
A sad decision. Removing a photogenically important part of a park will have negative impact on attendance
30A Skunkape30A SkunkapeSkunkyBackatown Seagrove10,329 postsJoined View profileMessageSkunky
30A SkunkapeSkunkyBackatown Seagrove10,329 postsJoined View profileMessageSkunkyA sad decision. Removing a photogenically important part of a park will have negative impact on attendanceIs this something you have researched or simply speculation? Not sure who goes to a state park to see a handful of long neglected wooden posts.
bob bobbob bobBeach FanaticSRB890 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
bob bobBeach FanaticSRB890 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticIs this something you have researched or simply speculation? Not sure who goes to a state park to see a handful of long neglected wooden posts.Pinnacle Port Condo guests.
PbpbPbpbBeach ComberRosemary38 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
Is this something you have researched or simply speculation? Not sure who goes to a state park to see a handful of long neglected wooden posts.it doesn't take a genius to realize that the thing that everyone took photos of in the park leaving would cause an impact on attendance.
Just look at how many engagement and weddings happen there. They choose that spot because of the nice photos it makes.
James BentwoodJames BentwoodBeach Fanatic1,614 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
A sad decision. Removing a photogenically important part of a park will have negative impact on attendanceI suppose it's only sad if you desire attendance.
PbpbPbpbBeach ComberRosemary38 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
I suppose it's only sad if you desire attendance.The parks budget is based on attendance
SUP BoarderSUP BoarderBeach LoverSeacrest130 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
SUP BoarderBeach LoverSeacrest130 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal GuideThe old pier remnants will be missed but taking care of the park and keeping it pristine and safe is priority. Our state parks are treasures and this one has a lot of history preserved on the grounds. Always a beautiful park to visit and explore along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell... The lake's pass is frequently open to the Gulf just where the old pier stood. The pier may be gone but the beauty of this spot remains
"... But according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), whose Division of Recreation and Parks provides technical and professional services to Florida's state parks, the remnants of the pier were judged by the division and the FDEP's safety officer to be a public safety hazard.
As a result of that determination, the pier remnants were removed Monday by the Florida Park Service working with the Bay County government, according to a Thursday email from the FDEP responding to an inquiry from the Daily News.
"Over the past year, significant storms have dislodged boards and pilings, which decreased the stability of the structure," the FDEP email noted, explaining that the remnants were "removed in March so as to be done before the start of hurricane and sea turtle nesting seasons."
"... But according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), whose Division of Recreation and Parks provides technical and professional services to Florida's state parks, the remnants of the pier were judged by the division and the FDEP's safety officer to be a public safety hazard.
As a result of that determination, the pier remnants were removed Monday by the Florida Park Service working with the Bay County government, according to a Thursday email from the FDEP responding to an inquiry from the Daily News.
"Over the past year, significant storms have dislodged boards and pilings, which decreased the stability of the structure," the FDEP email noted, explaining that the remnants were "removed in March so as to be done before the start of hurricane and sea turtle nesting seasons."
Edited
TeresaTeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide
TeresaSoWal GuideSouth Walton, FL30,976 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Guide#121
Read about Camp Helen State Park.
www.floridastateparks.org
Take a history tour on the first Saturday of the month.
Friends of Camp Helen State Park also host concerts and community activities and events throughout the year.
Rent kayaks and SUP boards and get out on Lake Powell.
Friends group:
www.friendsofcamphelen.org
Camp Helen State Park
Camp Helen State Park is a place where visitors can explore an environment rich in natural and cultural resources. The park is bordered by the Gulf of America on three sides and by Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida.
Take a history tour on the first Saturday of the month.
Friends of Camp Helen State Park also host concerts and community activities and events throughout the year.
Rent kayaks and SUP boards and get out on Lake Powell.
Friends group:
Home | Friends Of Camp Hele
www.friendsofcamphelen.org
Edited
leeboyleeboyBeach Fanatic274 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
The park is amazing. I bet a lot of people saw the pier but not the dunes.
drinkin & lazydrinkin & lazyBeach Comber20 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
#142
Lake View TooLake View TooSoWal InsiderEastern Lake7,000 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
Lake View TooSoWal InsiderEastern Lake7,000 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderView attachment 93517View attachment 93518Does anybody know what storm or storms really done her wrong?
Matt JMatt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGB
Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGBDoes anybody know what storm or storms really done her wrong?
I would venture to guess Michael and Sally were the final nails in the coffin.
Lake View TooLake View TooSoWal InsiderEastern Lake7,000 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
Lake View TooSoWal InsiderEastern Lake7,000 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderI would venture to guess Michael and Sally were the final nails in the coffin.I was sort of wondering when it fell into dis-use, and turned into beach art. of course, it never was really public, since it was owned by Avalon Mills, I assume.
Matt JMatt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGB
Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGBI was sort of wondering when it fell into dis-use, and turned into beach art. of course, it never was really public, since it was owned by Avalon Mills, I assume.
Oh then probably Opal. The state owned it by then and wouldn't have replaced it due to damage.
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.