Ceremonial demolition makes way for new public facility

A ceremonial demolition of the Old Lake Worth Bride took place Aug. 20 to make way for the new Snook Islands Natural Are Public Use Facility, to be located north of the current Lake Worth Bridge.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Robert Kanjian said he was not yet in possession of a demolition permit, thus the ceremonial demolition would have to suffice.

The new public use facility for Snook Island is set to begin construction next spring and will give residents access to the 100-acre Snook Islands completed in 2005, which includes 11 acres of mangroves, 2.2 acres of oyster reefs and more than 60 acres of seagrass habitat.

The new public use facility will include a boardwalk, gazebo, fishing pier and a 20-car or boat parking area.

“Sometimes progress comes by getting rid of the old things,” Kanjian said of the future demolition of the old bridge.

Kanjian said the assistance of Lake Worth Mayor Jeff Clemens was instrumental in the Snook Islands project.

“When you work together, that is when things can actually happen,” he said.

Clemens said the project would bring marine life back to Lake Worth.

“And this project will showcase the marine life here,” Clemens said.

Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.