Flomaton environmental center will open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Public invited once again to stroll down boardwalk
Turtle Point Environmental Center will host an Open House from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. this coming Saturday, April 21, to celebrate the re-opening of the boardwalk. There is no admission fee.
Originally built in 1999, the boardwalk was closed a couple of years ago due to the age of the wood. It was soft in some places and rotten in others, making it dangerous for use.
"It took about two and half years for us to raise the total of $175,000 to make refurbishments to the boardwalk," said Turtle Point Director Jacquelyn Word. "We raised the funds through generous donations and replaced about 2,000 feet of the decking and railing."
Word said she didn't make any big plans to have a grand opening because she was unsure of the completion date.
"I wasn't sure the boardwalk would be finished in time to plan something big," she said. "This is the last full open house for this school year. We want parents to be able to come see it. There are butterflies in the Butterfly House and it will be us here, open to the public. We invite everyone to come out Saturday and visit and tour the new boardwalk."
Word is grateful to the local businesses, industries, trusts and local residents who donated to make the boardwalk refurbishment possible.
Contributions from the following entities made the project possible: The Curtis Finlay Foundation in Honor of Dr. Darryl Searcy; The DW McMillan Trust; The Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council; Wind Creek Hospitality; Poarch Band of Creek Indians Endowment; Southern Pine Electric Cooperative; Georgia Pacific; The Cities of Atmore, Brewton, and East Brewton; Flomaton's Railroad Junction Committee; Bondurant's Lumber and Hardware; Woodmen Life and Redbasket.org and many other friends and patrons of Turtle Point.
