Revised Fitness and Playground
Note. All of these priorities are subject to change based on the damage caused by Hurricane Michael.
The Civic Club's SGI 2025VISION includes a focus on existing island facilities and features that badly need updating or repair. Those threatening health and safety are top priorities in this category. Consistent with Franklin County Ordinance 2018-02, we also want these facilities to be welcoming and attractive and reflective of an economically prosperous community.
Boaters approaching ramp during a sudden storm
Dangerous traffic jam at the boat launch
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Nothing better epitomizes the prosperous coastal life style than private boating in the clear waters of the Gulf and Bay. Unfortunately for this unique barrier island, the existing public boat launch, located at the foot of the old fishing pier bridge, is an acknowledged safety hazard for weekend and vacationing boaters. Stories abound of near-swamping conditions that threatened personal property and lives because the ramp does not provide calm water entrance. Many experienced captains refuse to use the island ramp—choosing instead to trailer their boats across the bridge to other communities and venues.
St George Island must have a safe boat launching site, with adequate trailer and vehicle parking, if it is to fulfill the vision of a unique and prosperous coastal community with the quality of life we desire. State and federal funds are available for re-engineering this ramp to meet our safety demands. We are eager to work with the county to seek these grants for this extremely important and valuable asset.
When the beautiful sweeping Bryant Patton bridge to the island was built, the community chose to retain portions of the original bridge as fishing piers. Today, a portable toilet provides the only restroom for the families that often spend hours fishing here. The permanent restrooms recently constructed on the Eastpoint side of the fishing pier were paid for with federal oil spill RESTORE dollars. We request that the county apply for such funds to construct island fishing pier restrooms to make this area as well as the island boat ramp a complete and sanitary facility.
Sponsored by the SGI Civic Club
The SGI2025 Plan is a proposal in response to the Ordinance 2018-02 SGI Business District Overlay.
No requests for funding or approvals have been granted for St. George Island's Business District Overlay Plan at this time.
On behalf of the SGI Board of Directors, we thank all the volunteers for their countless hours of research, preparation, measuring of distances, website creation, travel to meet with other communities and govt officials, photos, and endless commitment to SGI and the SGI2025 plan development.