(The story was updated to correct a mistake that appeared in the original version. The lawsuit challenging the county’s 75-foot beach easement was dropped on Nov. 4.)
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Stroberger wants to expand public beach access on Perdido Key and is eyeing Perdido Key State Park as a possible solution.
The issue of customary use of the beaches at Perdido Key has become the driving issue on the island, with proponents pushing for Escambia County to solidify customary use while many property owners remain wary.
A lawsuit challenging the county’s assertion of a 75-foot easement for 1.2-mile beachfront property brought by several condo owner associations was dropped earlier this month after mediation talks failed to reach a settlement. However, the condo owners dropped it “without prejudice,” meaning they could bring it back to court at any time, leaving the county with added pressure to find a solution.
Could Escambia County take over Johnson Beach?
This week, Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler threw out the idea of having the county take over Johnson Beach from the Gulf Island National Seashore.
“I really think the board needs to reflect on whether we should ask to try to get Johnson’s Beach back,” Kohler said.
“Yes,” Commissioner Lumon May immediately said in response before Kohler finished his comment.
“Honest to God, the board could collectively do that, and it would open up a lot of access on Perdido Key,” Kohler continued. “It would relieve some of this tension on the homeowners out there.”
Kohler acknowledged it would be a tough proposition to get approval from the federal government. Transferring ownership of National Park Service land would likely take an act of Congress.
May was on board and noted that the beach means a lot to the African American community, as it was the only place they were allowed to go to the beach during Segregation, but today many cannot afford the $25 per car entrance fee.
“That would be a fine idea for people to be able to go to the beach free,” May said. “What an idea.”
But May added he would defer to the commissioner of that district.
Stroberger is the commissioner who represents Perdido Key, and he said it’s one idea, but his first idea would be to expand access by buying property.
“I’m not ready to talk about customary use yet,” Stroberger said.
He said he is working to get appraisals on property for beach access locations that he can bring back to the board for consideration.
The idea of the county taking over Johnson Beach started spreading on social media after the meeting, and Stroberger told the News Journal it’s gotten a little out of hand.
He said he didn’t think the idea of taking over Johnson Beach was realistic, and he believes the county should look at the long-term reality of expanding public access on Perdido Key.
Perdido Key State Park more realistic option, commissioner says
Stroberger said a more realistic approach is potentially convincing the state to let the county take over Perdido Key State Park.
The state park covers 1.6 miles of beachfront that divides the two developed areas of Perdido Key, and Stroberger said he believes it would be manageable for the county to run as a park.
Stroberger said he thinks the park is underutilized, and people he talks to don’t even realize that it is open to the public.
“They’re smaller parcels that we could manage better,” Stroberger said.
Stroberger said he hasn’t had any serious talks with officials about the idea, and his focus on Perdido Key is to expand public access.
Kohler told the News Journal he still backs the idea of Johnson’s Beach.
“We have a very exclusive beach that many of our citizens don’t have the opportunity to access,” Kohler said.
Kohler added that he likes the idea of the state park as well.
“I’m looking at all options,” Kohler said. “Sometimes brainstorming is a good thing.”
Kohler said he knows there has to be something done with access on Perdido Key, but spending money on any kind of expansion will be tough, as the county is under pressure to reduce its property taxes.
“We need to figure out a way to get as much beach access at a reasonable price so that anyone in Escambia County can go to the beach if they want to,” Kohler said.
Escambia County commissioners plan to hold a committee of the whole meeting to fully discuss the issue early in 2026, possibly as soon as January.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: County commissioners eye take over of Johnson Beach, Perdido Key State Park
Reporting by Jim Little, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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