The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the conceptual site plan for Shalimar Bridge Park during their regular meeting Tuesday.

• Jeff Peters, facilities and parks director, presented the plan to commissioners, explaining that the Town of Shalimar had previously approved the concept unanimously. The county purchased the property in September 2023 through an interlocal agreement with Shalimar.

The conceptual plan includes parking, restrooms, pavilions, a sea wall, rip wrap fishing pier, boat docks and dock parking spaces. Peters said the county hopes to break ground on the project by this time next year, pending approval.

“Really anxious to get this project going,” Peters told commissioners. “Permitting will take roughly anywhere from 12 to 14 months.”

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel made the motion for approval, expressing enthusiasm for the project and sharing a personal story about fishing at the Shalimar Bridge years ago.

• “I’m very excited about this project. That piece of property, for a long time, needed a rework,” Ketchel said. “It’s going to look so nice.”

Ketchel said she hopes the park will include a bait shop and noted it will provide public bathrooms, parking and trash management for the area.

Commissioner Trey Goodwin seconded the motion and praised Peters’ work on the concept. He suggested incorporating security enhancements, potentially using technology and the county’s fiber network.

“I would just suggest that as you develop the plan, think about ways to enhance security there,” Goodwin said, noting the need to protect both the parking area and docks.

Goodwin also expressed support for including a food truck parking and loading area in the plan.

Chairman Paul Mixon said he hoped to see small retail such as a tackle shop included in the project, suggesting the area near the two pavilions and restrooms as a potential location.

• Peters confirmed that changes could still be made to the conceptual plan before moving into the actual design and permitting phase.

The project stems from the county’s September 2023 purchase of the three-quarter acre waterfront property at the southeast corner of the Shalimar Bridge. The county spent up to $900,000 to acquire the site, which had been an eyesore attracting trash and illicit activities.

The total project budget is approximately $3 million, with Okaloosa County providing 83.3% of funding from tourism tax revenues. The Town of Shalimar contributes the remaining 16.6%, or up to $500,000, from its tourist tax revenue share.Upon completion, the park will be annexed into the Town of Shalimar and become a town park owned and maintained by Shalimar.