New Additions at Frank Brown Park

There are more opportunities for outdoor recreation now at Frank Brown Park thanks to a $50 million renovation and expansion project completed this spring. The project added new biking and jogging trails and a new $6 million aquatic center to the popular venue. The aquatic center includes a 50-meter, Olympic-size outdoor pool, a splash pool with play features, concessions and classrooms.

Another new feature at Frank Brown Park is the start of construction of a trailhead that will be the beginning of 20-miles of trails that will run across the island of Panama City Beach. Named Gayle's Trails after Mayor Gayle Oberst of Panama City Beach who is a major supporter of the project, the trails will provide a natural preserve in an urban area.

After 3 years of planning by the City of Panama City Beach, construction of the project's first phase began in June near Children's Pond at the rear of Frank Brown Park. When construction is completed, the trail will travel south to the Gulf, run through Aaron Bessant Park, turn east to St. Andrews State Park and then go west to Camp Helen State Park in Walton County or north to Pine Log Forest.

Along the trails, there will be activity areas including designated areas for horseback riding, outdoor classrooms, picnic areas, canoeing and swimming areas in the bay, bird watching spots, swimming in the gulf through Aaron Bessant Park, and Arnold High School related recreation. The nature park will host playgrounds; education opportunities for public school and Gulf Coast Community College Environmental Center projects; picnic areas; and biking, riding and equestrian trails.



Construction of each phase of the trail will be completed as funds become available. State grant funds are being used to pay for the first phase of construction. Many areas that are designed for paving will not be until funds are secured.

The City of Panama City Beach is working with other Panhandle counties to create a Northwest Florida Coastal Trail System. The vision for the trail system is to create a continuous trail that will run through Gulf, Franklin, Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, and Escambia counties. The City of Lynn Haven and Bay County have been involved with discussions and planning and are interested in the creation of the trail system.

For more information about the park and future planning, visit the Frank Brown Park website at http://www.playballinparadise.com/.