PEARLINGTON, Miss. (WLOX) – After years of planning, Logtown Canoe & Kayak Rental is open for business with its community in mind.
“About a year ago we tried to promote it and it just didn’t happen so about a month ago we were like hi let’s do this,” said Sydney Smith.
Sydney Smith and Anthony Rice said since the Highway 90 bridge closure across the Pearl River connecting Pearlington residents to St. Tammany Parish Louisiana, it’s been a ghost town.
“It’s been such a big deal that almost everyone you meet out here that’s the first thing you’re going to hear about is the bridges being closed,” said Smith. “Just how it’s taken away so much.”
With hopes to restore what’s been ripped from the city Sydney’s dad Jimi Smith bought the canoes and kayaks to give the couple a head start. Rice said the goal is to keep foot traffic flowing throughout Pearlington, now offering rentals and tours to different historic sites throughout the area by water.
“As far as the historical values it’s just immense from the Choctaw Indians coming from the beginning, all the way up to the European settlers coming,” Rice said. “There’s just a lot of historical value right here.”
Of course, owners say safety first — you have to wear your life jacket and sign a waiver. They provide the kayak, canoe, and the paddles.
“This is a beautiful park,” said Jimi. “You got the Honey Island swamp on one side of you then you got the Mississippi landscape and it’s gorgeous,” Jimi said. “Looking at the old beautiful live oak trees and all of the birds, snakes, and alligators of course.”
Jimi said although Pearlington is a small town, he looks forward to building it back up with his family and any other community member interested in helping.
“All these tourism things need to join together and make something happen,” said Jimi. “Because the Bay is booming baby.”
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