MATLACHA, Fla. - We've told you a section of the old Matlacha bridge is becoming an artificial reef. But today, only WINK News is learning, other parts of the historic bridge will become public art. 

Pieces of the old Matlacha bridge line Leoma Lovegrove's Gallery and Garden. While these are small, large pieces of cement railing will become permanent history as public art.

The pieces will be placed in Matlacha Park, and in another section near the new bridge which is slated to become a brand new park.

"We're either going to use them to sit on and look at the bridge at Matlacha Park, or paint them many different blues for the Calusa Blueway," she said.

Lovegrove is the president of the newly formed Matlacha Island Chamber of Commerce. The chamber doesn't have a physical address,  but a strong presence on social media. Once installed, the railings will become historic pieces, which the chamber will push online in hopes of boosting business.

"I think a lot of people come here to see a lot of different things, I think the art would add to everything else that's here, the ambiance of the whole place," said tourist Anthony Steinmetz.

Each section of railing weighs eight tons, and the chamber has secured three of them.  They'll be stored on private property until they can be placed in the parks. 

The contractor gave the railing pieces to the chamber at no cost, preserving the past for future generations.
"Just to have it so people can reflect. We were just so excited to actually get it," said Lovegrove.

The new park doesn't have a name yet, but some of the suggestions include "Bat Park" or the "Old Snook Inn Park."