Bay County parks staff on an advisory meeting reviewed completed and upcoming recreation projects across the county and discussed outreach and funding strategies for new trails and features, while the board approved the July 17 meeting minutes by voice vote.

Staff member Vince summarized recent and ongoing construction and maintenance: the recently completed Beach Access 1; parking and access conditions at Beach Access 2 and 3 near Newby's Curve; completion of Bayou George Playground and a new basketball court; renderings and plans for new playgrounds at High Point and Ira Hutchison; a pier rebuild at McCall Everett; replacement of deteriorated tee pads at Majet with concrete; and the walkover bridge and new sidewalks under construction at Majet. Vince also said the department ordered replacement pier panels this year (about 157 panels) and is procuring trash cans, bleachers and other site furnishings for the Southport Complex, which the staff expects to complete in mid-February (completion timeline discussed by staff; final dates not specified in the meeting).

Nut graf: The projects affect multiple neighborhood parks and regional facilities and involve a mix of county construction, vendor partnerships and community fundraising. Staff emphasized both near-term maintenance and longer-term design work (including concept planning for mountain-bike and pump-track features) and said the department will pursue grants and other partnerships to fund elements beyond the county’s current construction budget.

In more detail, staff reported that Beach Access 1 construction is finished and is now more wheelchair accessible except where a stormwater grate remains in the walkway. Bayou George’s recent playground work and the nearby basketball court drew positive public feedback, with concert and festival events at Isaacburg and Simmons Park drawing roughly 325 and 350 attendees, respectively, according to staff estimates.

On planned projects, staff presented renderings for a High Point playground and said crews will begin removal of the old equipment and installation some time in November; a restroom building described in the meeting as targeted to be finished on a date referenced as “20 fourth” was discussed but a clear completion date was not specified. At Ira Hutchison, staff said a new playground and associated restroom facility are planned; parking improvements there remain to be completed.

Maintenance and safety work included replacement of pier planks and a 60–70-foot rebuild of a damaged section of the salt-side pier at McCall Everett. At Majet/Majette park, staff said concrete tee pads have replaced older wooden pads and that a pedestrian walkover bridge over a stormwater feature is installed with sidewalks to follow; that work is still under construction.

Staff and board members discussed engagement with user groups. Parks staff said they attended the National Recreation and Park Association conference and connected with pump-track designers including American Ramp. Staff referenced discussions with Jason Jowers about BMX and pump-track needs and said a concept design would help identify materials that public works could stockpile over time, potentially reducing costs. The board asked staff to pursue design funding for a concept trail and to keep mountain-biking and disc-golf user groups engaged in planning.

Grant and fundraising activity was discussed. Staff said disc-golf advocates are exploring the Florida Communities Trust Open Spaces grant (a program that accepts applications from governments and some 501(c)(3) organizations) and described a local tree-planting effort that has raised $500 and is seeking an additional $1,000 from Saint Joe Company to support more plantings on the property. Staff also described a vendor arrangement for a concession or amenity at one park that includes a 50% revenue share and vendor responsibility for routine maintenance and after-hours problems.

Board-level administrative items included an update that staff will focus on the department’s 2026 project list after the fall festival and that many of the festivals and events temporarily divert staff time from design work. Board members noted post-hurricane declines in youth participation and encouraged intermunicipal coordination on scheduling and field use to boost recreation participation countywide. Staff said the department has revised rental fees to remove extra charges for LED-lit fields to make rentals more affordable.

Formal actions: the board approved the July 17 meeting minutes by voice vote (all in favor). The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn. No other formal votes on projects, funding commitments or contracts were recorded in the transcript.

Ending: Staff said they will pursue grant opportunities and concept design funding for trails and pump-track features, continue community outreach with mountain-bike and disc-golf groups, and return to the board with design and procurement details as projects progress.