Turkey Creek to see improvements

Niceville residents J.V.O. and Sharon Weaver stroll down the boardwalk at Turkey Creek Nature Trail on Monday. The boardwalk follows the creek from a pavilion next to John Sims Park-way 3/4 of a mile north.

NICEVILLE Fans of the Turkey Creek Nature Trail boardwalk will soon have even more room to roam.

Beginning in late February/early March, construction will begin on an addition that will connect two separate sections of walkway.

Currently, the section of the park with its entrance on John Sims Parkway has approximately of a mile of boardwalk that is enjoyed by walkers, joggers and swimmers headed for a dip in the creek. The other section of the park, whose entrance is located off of College Boulevard, includes approximately 900 feet of boardwalk. Both sections feature pavilions and picnic tables.

It will take about 320 feet of new boardwalk to connect the two sections, giving park visitors nearly a full mile of walking and jogging space. The addition is expected to take about three months.

If all goes well, we hope to get started soon, and have the addition finished by summer, said Willie Hines, the citys repair and maintenance foreman.

Visitors to the park on Monday were happy to hear that work on the addition will begin soon.

I think its wonderful, said Niceville resident Michelle Tew, who walks the length of the boardwalk and back at least once a day and sometimes twice. This is such a beautiful place to walk, and Ive been looking forward to the new section.

Crestview residents Debbie and Burl Olson are also frequent visitors.

Im happy to hear that, Burl said. We try to walk about two miles a day, so the addition will put the length right in our wheelhouse.

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Turkey Creek to see improvements