Accessible viewing platform coming to St. George Island State Park

Florida State Parks Foundation and Athletic Brewing Co. announced a new accessible viewing platform at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park in Florida’s Panhandle. The upgrade, funded in part by a $30,000 grant, adds ADA-compliant features and arrives during Disability Pride Month.

Why it matters: - The new platform expands access to one of Florida’s most visited beach parks for people with mobility limitations and seated visitors. - The project adds another accessible amenity to Florida’s state parks during Disability Pride Month and ahead of the Americans With Disabilities Act anniversary on July 26. - The upgrade is designed to help more visitors experience the park’s pine flatwood forest, bayfront coastline and surrounding ecosystems.

What happened: - Florida State Parks Foundation and Athletic Brewing Co. announced a new accessible viewing platform at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park on July 6, 2026. - The platform will debut at the East Slough Overlook Trail. - The new structure replaces a 30-year-old platform. - Athletic Brewing’s “Two for the Trails” program provided part of a $30,000 grant for the project.

The details: - The platform includes new composite decking. - The upgrade adds ADA-compliant picnic tables. - Lowered railings were installed so seated visitors can view the overlook. - New accessible viewfinders are positioned for seated visitors in some spots. - The viewfinders use specialized lenses that correct for color-blindness. - Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park covers 2,000 acres in the Florida Panhandle. - The park is located about midway between Tallahassee and Pensacola and a short drive from Apalachicola. - The park welcomes about 200,000 visitors a year. - The park generates an estimated annual economic impact of more than $25 million. - The barrier island park contains nine distinct natural communities and habitat for imperiled species. - The park offers hiking and bicycling trails, birding, boating, camping, fishing, paddling, swimming and stargazing. - In 2023, coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman, known as “Dr. Beach,” ranked the park as the best beach in America. - Athletic Brewing launched commercially in 2018 and is the largest dedicated non-alcoholic brewer in the U.S. - Athletic Brewing’s Two For The Trails program provides up to $2 million a year to protect and restore outdoor spaces. - Athletic Brewing previously funded work at Fort Mose Historic State Park and Sebastian Inlet State Park.

Between the lines: - The project fits a broader push by Florida State Parks Foundation to expand accessibility across state parks. - Athletic Brewing is using outdoor conservation and access projects to reinforce its brand around recreation and environmental stewardship. - The company’s 2025 grant pool drew more than 500 applications seeking over $10 million, showing strong demand for this kind of funding. - Athletic Brewing said it is supporting 241 projects across the U.S. and Canada with up to $2 million in funding.

What's next: - The accessible viewing platform is set to open at the East Slough Overlook Trail. - Florida State Parks Foundation and Athletic Brewing signaled continued partnership on access and outdoor-space improvements. - The park will continue offering its existing recreation and wildlife-viewing opportunities alongside the new amenity.

The bottom line: - The project upgrades a popular Florida beach park with features that make its views more usable for more visitors, while also tying into a broader statewide accessibility push.