News - Local

Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Park to be built at foot of Biloxi Bay Bridge

Site is green space in Ocean Springs

OCEAN SPRINGS — Walkers descending the Jackson County side of the Biloxi Bay Bridge will soon be able to rest in a picturesque locale.

Fully funded by Mississippi Department of Transportation, the $500,000 project will turn a green space between the bridge and the Ocean Springs Yacht Club into a park with benches, decorative fencing, trash receptacles, landscaping and steps to access the bridge from the sidewalk near the mosaic panels.

Stretching equipment for walkers will also be installed at the yet-unnamed park.

Aldermen last week signed the agreement with MDOT taking responsibility for the maintenance and security of the park upon its completion in early spring.

The park will be the center point for pedestrians using the walkway beneath the bridge to access the pier and parking area proposed by the county on the north side of the bridge, said Johnnie Bernhard, public relations administrative officer.

A new walkway on Front Beach connecting the bridge to the harbor is now under construction, facilitating access to other recreational amenities along Front Beach Drive such as the Fort Maurepas Park and the Community Pier, she said.

The project also extends the sidewalk on the north side of Porter Avenue from the bridge to connect toward downtown.

Ward 2 Alderman Matt McDonnell said the park will be a huge benefit for the countless number of walkers who take healthy treks along the bridge. McDonnell said no official count of bridge walkers has been taken, but he expects if it were the numbers would be high.

“It has far exceeded the expectations that any of us had when we lobbied MDOT to add the walkway as part of the overall bridge plan,” he said.

Funding for the park was provided to MDOT through the Transportation Enhancement Program from stimulus funds. Design for the park will be approved by MDOT with input from city officials.