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Recreation

Whether you're the type who jumps in with both feet, or whether you're more inclined to be a spectator, the Bay Area offers much to the sports enthusiast. From tennis and racquetball, to the cities' outstanding recreation departments, from the area's unparalleled water sports, to the renowned golf facilities, there's never a shortage of fun things to do.

Fishing - A virtual fisherman's paradise, the Niceville Valparaiso area offers freshwater lakes, ponds and streams yielding bass, bream and catfish. The brackish waters of Choctawhatchee Bay produce catches of flounder, speckled trout, red fish, mullet and various other species, including oysters and shrimp. Saltwater fishing is available by privately owned or chartered fishing vessels and yields catches of snapper, bluefish, sheepshead, tarpon, cobia, grouper, marlin, sailfish, and more.

Hunting - Known for some of the best hunting in the state, the giant Eglin Air Force Base reservation is covered with forests, rivers and ponds. Camping is permitted with special authority camping permits. Recreational permits are required and may be obtained from Eglin Natural Resources Branch (AKA Jackson Guard), 107 Highway 85 N. in Niceville. (850-882-4164)

Water Sports - The abundance of bayous in the area and Choctawhatchee Bay provide an ideal setting for a growing list of water activities. Multi-colored sails are frequently seen bobbing about the waters propelling sail boats, sailboards, and catamarans. Scuba diving, surfing, jet skiing, and of course, the old stand-by water skiing, are also popular in the area.

Canoeing - With the many streams, creeks and rivers in the area, the canoeing enthusiast is exposed to a myriad of choices. Eglin Reservation boasts eight canoe trails with their own exceptional beauty and natural habitat. Boiling Creek, a five-mile trip winding through pine, oak, cypress and maple trees, is one of the favorite canoe trails. Ranging in width from 15 to 70 feet, overhanging branches create a dense tropical garden in some areas with wide clear sunlit stretches in others. Recreational permit required. (882-4164)

Youth Programs - Little League Baseball, including T-ball, ages 5-13, March-July. Teen League Baseball for boys ages 13-15 and Big League, ages 16-18, May-August (729-0363). Girls Softball ages 5-18, March-July (897-2381). Recreational soccer for children 5-18, August-November, with PAL Soccer League in Niceville (678-2182). Competitive soccer for children 8-18, year-round with Niceville Force. YMCA Youth Basketball for boys and girls, ages 5-18, November-March (863-4536). Little League football, Fall season (729-4062). Traveling teams for soccer, baseball and basketball are also available year round.

Golf - There are three outstanding golf courses in the immediate Niceville Valparaiso Bluewater Bay Area. Bluewater Bay is a semi-private, heavily wooded, 36-hole course with rolling greens. Special golf packages, including accommodations, are offered. For further information call: 897-3613. Eglin Air Force Base Golf Course is open for active and retired military persons and civil service employees with DOD cards. It is also open to civilians in off-peak hours. (882-4914). Rocky Bayou Country Club is a newly renovated, 18-hole, private golf course (678-3270). A putting green, complete with gazebo and adult swings, is located next to the Niceville City Hall.

Tennis - Bluewater Bay has several tennis options. 12 Rubico courts are lighted for night play (897-8010) and 7 hard surface courts are also in the area (897-3664). Courts are also available at Meigs Park in Niceville.

Softball - Leagues for men, women and church groups are active from March to September. Considered a softball hub for the Northwest Florida area, the Twin Cities play host to teams from throughout the southeast at the annual Men's Mullet Classic held the first weekend in July and the Women's Mullet Classic the last weekend in June. The Twin Cities Softball Complex features four lighted fields for both soccer and softball, a concession stand and restrooms. Call the recreation department at 729-4062

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