New Public Park will Protect At-Risk Panama City Crayfish

A new public park located along the shore of North Bay and McKitchen’s Bayou in Lynn Haven, Florida, will not only provide public access to waterways and recreational facilities, it will also protect rapidly disappearing habitat for the at-risk Panama City Crayfish. The park is slated for completion in early 2021.

According to the 2017 Fish and Wildlife Service Species Status Assessment Report for the Panama City Crayfish, this tiny animal, which measures only about two inches in length, is known to inhabit only a small portion of Bay County, Florida.

The crayfish’s historic range included bodies of shallow fresh water within open pine flatwoods and wet prairie-marsh. Most of its native habitat, however, is now developed or replaced with slash pine plantations. So, it’s not surprising that for many years, the crustacean was thought to be extinct. It was not until 2000 that the crayfish was found again on what remained of its natural habitat. Since that surprising find, the Service has tried to protect remaining populations and habitat. As members of the Florida Trustee Implementation Group, we found just such an opportunity as the State identified parcels for projects that would enhance public access to waterways.  

The Lynn Haven Preserve and Park Project includes acquisition of a 90- acre parcel and recreational facilities. We will use Deepwater Horizon NRDA funds for the project and its long-term management because the park will compensate the public for some of the access and recreational opportunities lost as a result of the oil spill. In an ancillary, but very important side benefit of the project, the park’s design will protect on-site Panama City Crayfish habitat.  

The surrounding community has embraced the Panama City Crayfish as the park’s mascot. In recognition of the crayfish and its on-site habitat, the park will also include a giant crayfish climbing structure, a request made by the students of nearby Deer Point Elementary School. The giant crayfish climbing structure will measure 25 feet in length and will be located in a natural playground area. Community input into the park’s’ design was facilitated by the Trust for Public Land and Wood and Partners. The crayfish climbing structure was designed and will be built by Earthscape.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked with all partners to develop a long-term management plan for the preserved areas, which will improve the crayfish’s habitat over time. Some of the other park amenities are more traditional and include an outdoor classroom, a two-story screened-in bay/bayou overlook, picnic pavilions, and a disc golf course. Dock access to the bay and bayou will be provided for kayaks and fishing and there will be dock access to motorized boats on the bay. A bayou boardwalk, trails and wildlife viewing area will include interpretive signage, including information about the Panama City Crayfish.