Bay County reviews draft master plan for 400-acre Majette park site, approves plan refinement

Bay County officials and consultants presented a draft master plan for the former Majette golf-course site on Jan. 16, outlining recreational uses across roughly 400 acres and directing staff to refine the plan based on public and board input.

The draft, presented by consultant Ray Greer with landscape architect Jeremy Floyd, summarized results of a Jan. 16 public workshop that Greer said drew 82 sign-ins and produced 195 suggested ideas. Greer said the draft groups suggestions into 14 categories and maps preferred locations for features including trails, disc golf, a pump track, mountain-bike routes, multiuse fields, an indoor recreation facility, picnic and farmers-market space and a possible 5–6–hole practice golf area.

The plan matters because the property sits near fast-growing residential developments and could provide active and passive recreation for new neighborhoods, county staff said. Greer said the site’s landfill cover and ponding create engineering constraints that will affect where buildings and heavy-improvement features can be placed.

Among specifics discussed were: a beginner disc-golf course footprint to complement the existing championship-style layout; a proposed indoor recreation building modeled on a 27,000-square-foot facility used elsewhere; pathways reusing some former cart paths for walking trails; fitness stations along trail segments; picnic pavilions and a farmers-market lawn; and restroom buildings dispersed across the site. The presenters noted some cost and implementation limits tied to stormwater management, the landfill liner and unsuitable fill in places.

Disc-golf organizers told the county they want a shorter, family-friendly course in addition to the existing long tournament layout. Brent Gann, who identified himself as head of the local disc-golf organization and said the group is a 501(c)(3), said the existing course is “incredible as is today” but that shorter, more concentric layouts would help attract children, seniors and new players. Anne (last name not given), co-organizer, said the full course can take two to three hours to play and that a shorter option would encourage broader participation. Greer said the draft includes a smaller beginner course area near existing parking.

Staff and the consultant also reviewed other Parks & Recreation work: replacement of beach access boardwalks and handrails; new playground installations at Majette Park and Harters Park (equipment ordered, installation timelines described as weeks to months); restroom construction at the county pier with contractors’ estimates pending and a projected completion toward the end of next month; new scoreboards being installed at several parks; and a partnership with FPL and Bay District Schools to install life-jacket loaner stations and signage at Lake Powell Park and High Point Boat Ramp.

Project-level schedule notes in the presentation included a contract change order and an 18-day time extension tied to unsuitable fill encountered in a retention basin on a separate site, moving completion to around mid-January 2026 for that work. Greer said the Isaacburg/Isaac Byrd playground equipment has been ordered and installation is roughly seven weeks out. He also said portions of the site will be kept pervious for overflow parking and multiuse events.

Members of the public and organized recreation groups were encouraged to participate in implementation and maintenance planning. Greer and staff discussed possible partnerships with organized groups — the disc-golf club, RC hobbyists and mountain-bike clubs — for programming and site stewardship. Greer said the consultant team can return with a revised draft within 30 to 45 days to reflect the meeting’s comments.

After discussion and public comment, a commissioner moved that the county proceed to refine the draft master plan incorporating the comments heard that evening; a second was recorded and the motion passed on an aye vote. The board later adjourned.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve minutes as presented: adopted (voice vote; aye). — (motion recorded earlier in meeting) - Motion to direct staff/consultant to continue refining the draft Majette master plan incorporating public and board comments: adopted (voice vote; aye). (Mover/second not specified in transcript.)

The county indicated the master-plan draft, public comments and a compiled report of workshop suggestions will remain available for public review while the consultant prepares a revision for subsequent staff and commission consideration.