Construction began Friday on a $4.2 million visitor and nature center at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities at the Northwest Florida coastal preserve.

• The state-of-the-art facility represents a collaboration between the Florida State Parks Foundation, Florida State Parks, and the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, along with several community partners.

“Interpreting Florida’s natural resources is a key aspect of our mission, and this new center will be a great asset for Topsail Hill and our dedicated park rangers who interact with the public every day,” said Florida State Parks Director Chuck Hatcher.

The center will serve as a hub for events, workshops, and volunteering opportunities. Educational exhibits will showcase the park’s unique features, including its namesake dunes that rise 25 feet above the white-sand beaches.

• Florida State Parks Foundation board president Kathleen Brennan said, “The beach here at Topsail is amazing, but there is so much more to see, explore and learn about. The new visitor and nature center will transform the experience of visiting this park.”

The project received funding from multiple sources, including the Florida Park Service, Walton County, the J.W. Couch Foundation, Florida Power & Light, the St. Joe Community Foundation, and several individual donors.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park spans 1,640 acres along 3.2 miles of Gulf of Mexico beachfront. The park, which hosts more than 250,000 visitors annually and supports over 450 local jobs, is home to 13 imperiled wildlife species and 16 distinct natural communities.

Construction is scheduled for completion by late 2025.