Downtown Pensacola’s New Waterfront Destination
After six years of planning, designing and construction, the revitalization of Bruce Beach is now complete and the park is open as Pensacola’s newest public waterfront space.
The project to rehabilitate Bruce Beach in downtown Pensacola has been in the works for most of this decade. This catalytic project is part of the Pensacola Waterfront Framework Plan supporting the city’s goal of creating a more connected public waterfront.
Key project goals include:
- Connect people to the waterfront
- Restore and enhance local ecology
- Mark and commemorate African American history and heritage at the site
- Design for educational activities, both indoors and outdoors
- Create a cultural and educational destination at the Bay’s edge
The project was designed by the planning and engineering firm HDR, with consistency review from SCAPE and input from the public. The city awarded a contract to Biggs Construction Inc. for the construction of the Bruce Beach Revitalization Project in 2022.
The city unveiled the completed phase one portion of the 13-acre park during a public ribbon cutting ceremony on April 27, as construction continued on the $4.9 million section of phase two.
“This has been years and years—about six years in fact—in the making. From the genesis of this project to robust community feedback about what the vision could be here, and access to the waterfront, all of these things have now been talked about for years,” City of Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said.
Phase one of the revitalization project brought about major upgrades to the property.
Constructed for $6.9 million, improvements include a central plaza with walkway, shade structures, two public lawn areas with seat walls, a learning garden and a children’s playground.
Another important feature constructed as part of phase one, is a new pedestrian bridge that runs over Washerwoman Creek, allowing for a direct connection to the neighboring Community Maritime Park.
For decades, Bruce Beach has been a key site for coastal recreation in Pensacola, with a rich history of use by the city’s Black community. As part of the park’s redesign, SCAPE also developed a series of double-sided signs that invite visitors to explore the history of Bruce Beach. The interpretive signage details the site’s marshy beginnings, its industrial history, its evolution as a recreational center and its reopening today.
The signs also explore the origin and lasting significance of Bruce Beach for Black, Indigenous and Creole members of the Pensacola community. The content and design of the interpretive signage was a collaborative effort between SCAPE, HDR and a group of local historians at the University of West Florida Historic Trust.
Local history is sprinkled throughout the park, highlighting the history of the area, from its days as a shipyard in the 19th century to the location of a public pool for African Americans used during the segregation era up until the early 1970s. Open from 1957 to 1975, Bruce Pool was “the place to be” during the summer. The outline of the original Bruce Pool is marked with concrete at the foot of the Washerwoman Creek bridge.
The park also highlights the area’s connection to Pensacola Bay, with the children’s playground framed by a large map on the ground that shows the outline of Pensacola Bay and other surrounding waterways.
With native plantings, improved stormwater management areas and a specific focus on protecting specific native trees and wetland areas, the revitalized park helps restore and enhance the local ecology and the community’s connection to the water.
The city initially did not open the first phase of the park because of ongoing site construction and the lack of a public restroom facility. However, in April of this year, the city announced that the completed phase one section of the park would open early due to the installation of a new modular public restroom known as a Portland Loo.
“To have the park open as an amenity for kids, for parents and grandparents who put a lot of value and memories into this area, to have this open for six or seven months before phase two is completed, will be a big asset for us,” Reeves said.
The most recent project milestone was the completion of the phase two section of the park in October. Phase two improvements gave the park a fresh look and updated amenities, including planting 194 new trees, building wall terraces and creating a bluff overlook with panoramic views of Pensacola Bay and the city.
Other additions include a rock scramble, terrace sitting areas, a permanent kayak launch, a sand volleyball court and designated picnic areas.
“Much like the Community Maritime Park before it, the new park will serve as a catalyst for the city’s economic growth,” Reeves said.
Swimming will not be permitted at the park, but the park will serve as an access point for kayakers and other paddle craft.
Although construction is complete on phase two of the park, this portion will remain closed until the city determines a new date for the grand opening.
Residents, stakeholders and members of the community will be invited to join the City of Pensacola, Mayor D.C. Reeves, Pensacola City Council and the City of Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency to celebrate the project and the grand opening of the park within the coming months.
For updates and to learn more about the Bruce Beach Revitalization Project, visit cityofpensacola.com.