The Mary Esther City Council reviewed a comprehensive parks and recreation master plan during a June 16 meeting, looking at concept designs that could cost more than $20 million over 10 years.
- Barge Design Solutions presented findings from public engagement activities conducted in February, March and April. The process included stakeholder meetings, a staff questionnaire with 16 participants, an online public survey with 76 responses and a public open house with 20 participants.
The most requested amenities identified through public input included dog parks, pickleball courts, community gardens, splash pads and public restrooms. Better maintenance of existing facilities ranked as the top priority for improving park experiences.
Springdale Park proposal
The Springdale Park concept consolidates pickleball, tennis and basketball courts while adding playground upgrades separated by age groups and improved restroom facilities. The design includes a pavilion in a central location next to a multi-use field and additional parking. The plan removes the existing ball field and community garden but incorporates more programming activities.
- A potential greenway connection could utilize a city-owned easement through the neighborhood.
Elliot Park redesign
The Elliot Park proposal addresses parking issues and relocates the community garden from Springdale Park to this location. The design adds two dog parks separated for small and large dogs, fitness courts, a disc golf putting area and two improved playgrounds. Pavilions for rentals and upgraded tennis facilities are also included.
City Hall and Library area
The concept for the green space at Doolittle and Hollywood boulevards focuses on community events and outdoor gatherings. The design features an open lawn paired with a bandshell or stage, a loop path for festivals or farmers markets, and an outdoor classroom area near the library. Landscape buffers along Hollywood Boulevard would provide additional safety.
Bryn Mawr Park expansion
The largest park proposal maintains and upgrades the existing ball field while adding two multipurpose fields in the outfield area. The concept includes upgraded playgrounds separated by age groups, improved concession stands, additional parking, and two dog parks for different sized animals.
- A nature trail loop with fitness stations and a potential disc golf course are also proposed.
Jesse Rogers Cemetery
Two concept plans were presented for the cemetery expansion. The first option provides variety with open plots, columbarium walls for cremation services, and a scatter garden with plaques.
The second option focuses on extending open plots. Both designs include a potential pavilion overlooking the water and accommodate the Highway 98 widening project.
Other park improvements proposed:
- Oak Tree Park – Potential connection between neighborhoods via Lorraine Street, shifting park amenities closer to Hollywood Boulevard
- Water Tower Town Lane – Opportunity for north-south greenway connection between Hollywood and Miracle Strip Highway, requiring examination of existing fencing and potential lighting additions
- Oak Tree Nature Preserve – Replace or repair existing shelter, update and replace trail signage, add potential trail closer to existing stream connecting to Doolittle and highway intersection
- South Bryn Mawr Park – Explore partnership with adjacent church property for events, consider closing one entrance to create larger green space, address triangle zone for better physical connection
- Pier and Boat Ramp – Improve parking situation, add more signage or kiosk, address paid launch system
- Pond on Bryan’s Circle – Potential land donation to city for fishing access and dock installation
- Azalea Park – Under construction, feedback focused on preserving nature trails and existing trees
Implementation concerns
Council members expressed concerns about staffing capabilities and maintenance requirements for the expanded facilities. The budget framework considers total cost of ownership including capital investment, operations and maintenance, and lifecycle replacement over a 10-year timeline.
Potential partnerships with Hurlburt Field and county organizations were discussed for tournament hosting and shared facility use. Council member April Sutton noted the city’s strategic location for attracting visitors from multiple communities.
- “We’re in an environment where not everyone wants to go over to Destin because of traffic, and especially in the summer months when all these activities are being used, it would be great to have partnerships,” Sutton said. “People don’t necessarily want to drive to Crestview because of the traffic but because of where we are located, we are in a unique spot to offer a variety of spaces.”
Some council members suggested exploring alternative funding sources including FEMA dual-use facilities and tourism development grants.
Next steps
The consultants will refine the master plan and concept designs based on council feedback. A final presentation will be scheduled for potential plan adoption, followed by setting implementation milestones.
The city has not yet determined which amenities will be prioritized or how the improvements will be phased based on available funding (grants, partnerships, etc.) and staffing capabilities.
6 Responses
I lived in Destin and now in North Walton County.
Living in Destin back, approximately 2012, a gentleman name, Ron Sanstead had the idea to build a community garden on Main Street, directly behind the something something.
He recruited the neighbors and other volunteers and even accepted donations from nurseries and use of a large equipment company. He organized the completion of the community gardens, and I was one of those original volunteers that donated my time to make Ron’s idea a fruition.
A couple months ago or so a friend of mine’s asked me to help build 10 raised bed frames for the community garden there in Mary Esther. These were sturdy 8 inch tall 4” x 8” raise bed frames.
The idea of this new proposal of removing a community garden is such a selfish proposal, as a community garden does exactly what it says, creates a community and also perpetuates the skills of self sustainability.
In other words, teaching neighbors to be able to grow their own fruits and or vegetables, creating community.
That is something where the world is going to be going to, eating fresh homegrown food versus store-bought nutritionless, fruits and vegetables, sprayed with pesticides and other carcinogenics (poisons).
I grow my own fruits and vegetables on my near acre lot, and also share with my neighbors, developing a true sense of community and friendships. Whomever idea it was to negate a community garden certainly does not have their head on right. Just saying.
Last I checked the City of Mary Esther is not Zoned Farmland…. If you want to farm and grow your own food, North Walton or Okaloosa is the place for you. Always amazes me when people want to go agrarian in a city complete with chickens and pigs.
People can grow food in their own gardens.. and have pigs and chickens..lol
I have lived in Mary Esther almost my entire life, born and raised with the exception of leaving for 5 years to join my husband on his Military journey. We returned to my childhood home and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 30+ years.
I am very excited to see the growth of our small city for some much needed activities and updates. However, I am very concerned about the current state of the area and how it looks. You clearly enter Mary Esther after passing Hurlburt to under maintained sidewalks, medians and overgrowth of trees. Bricks falling from neighborhood entrances do to digging for all those lines, trash and more. Then you clearly enter FWB with a total difference.
It would be nice to take care of what we have before adding more that may not be able to be kept up with. How can we as a city I love do better?
40+ years, I forgot my real age for a moment
The City of Mary Esther is broke. They can’t afford what they already have. The water and sewer systems are woefully antiquated and in need of updating or connection to the Fort Walton Beach system, we only have 2 Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the area which includes the apparent drag strip known as Hwy 98 and outsource the staffing of our Fire Station to the city of Wright. Plus, the routine maintenance of roads and medians is neglected and only occasionally mowed and trimmed. I’m a resident of Mary Esther and pay $1500 a year in city tax for essentially nothing. I’m not in favor of adding 20 million in infrastructure to hypothetically attract visitors to a pickleball court or community garden. Sorry Ms Sutton but these visitors are headed to Destin and Okaloosa Island as that’s where the restaurants, shopping, entertainment and activities are. Mary Esther offers nothing but a dilapidated mall, fast food and car washes. Nothing to see here. I’m opposed to this expenditure and see zero value or income possibilities from it. This should be voted on by city residents as it it their money being wasted.