More of Perdido Key Beach is opening up to the public. Here's where you can and can't go
Recent changes in public easement on Perdido Key Beach in Escambia County have opened up miles of shoreline to the public that was previously claimed by private property owners.
The discovery of the original deeds for dozens of Gulf front properties changed public access for part of the beach, but there are still areas restricted to private property owners.
Escambia County attorneys recently finished a legal review of the deeds as well as public access areas on Perdido Key. If you're planning a visit to fish, sunbathe or sightsee on the Key, here's a look at where you can and can't go on the Key and how we got here.
What's open to the public on Perdido Key Beach?
Three miles of beach from 13785 Perdido Key Drive west to Perdido Key State Park is open to the public. Most of that area was previously claimed by private property owners until a recent change in legal status opened it up to others.
Opening up the beach: Old deeds give new life to the fight for public access to Perdido Key beaches
Warning signs: Escambia County limits number of signs private property owners can put up on Perdido Key
Johnson Beach National Seashore on the eastern side of the Key is public, and the county also owns Beach Access No. 4, which adds another 300 feet of public beachfront.
Additionally, the area south of the mean high-water line, or the “wet sand” area, is public for the entire 6-mile length of Perdido Key Beach.
However people can only walk, fish or sunbathe above the water line along the stretch from Gulf Beach Subdivision to Perdido Key State Park. If they move onto the “dry sand” on the other half of the beach, they are likely intruding on private property.
Beach access: Judge rules public beach access in Perdido Key can stay open to the public
County attorneys also said beach renourishment projects that add beach south of the mean high-water line are public. Staff is reviewing previous beach restoration projects after Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis.
Why did public easement change on Perdido Key Beach?
In April, research turned up the original deeds for 64 lots on Perdido Key with wording that states the federal government, which originally owned the property, meant for 75 feet of beach north of the mean high-water line to always remain open to the public.
A review of other beachfront properties found those 64 deeds are the only ones that contain the language providing a public easement. Public access is still limited on other parts of Perdido Key Beach.
In the past, private property owners have clashed with the county and the public over drawing hard lines in the sand as to where people can go. Some condominium owners put up so many 'No trespassing' signs on the beach and near public access points, Escambia County recently modified an ordinance limiting how many signs can be placed.
What's next for Perdido Key Beach?
Escambia County leaders have plans to expand services and create more public access points to the beach on Perdido Key. Services include adding lifeguards and lifeguard stands at some beach access areas, as well as safety patrols.
Safety first: Perdido Key lacks safety protocols to educate visitors. Officials want that to change.
A string of recent drownings and near drownings highlighted the need for making changes to safety protocols on Perdido Key Beach, which currently does not have lifeguards.
Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, who represents Perdido Key, said he is working with county public safety managers to develop and implement a plan to add lifeguards, surf condition and flag warning signs, and get emergency responders on the same page with uniform safety protocols.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Perdido Key Beach public access expanded after Escambia deed review
