Category: Parks (Community/State/National)

Conservation Park in PCB

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Conservation Park is one of Panama City Beach’s favorite destinations for locals and visitors. It was established in the early 2000s with two fundamental goals in mind: protect and balance natural resources while providing outdoor recreational opportunities. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Corp of Engineers, and the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife worked together to bring over 2,900 acres under protection. They use the city’s reclaimed water to rehydrate the wetlands that were decimated by commercial logging. Along with bringing new life to crucial ecosystems, it also provides over 24-plus miles of trails and over a mile of boardwalks for public recreation.

Open from dusk to dawn every day of the week, it welcomes bikers, hikers, photographers, kids, birders, adults, walkers, artists, and well-behaved dogs on leashes. The trails range anywhere from 0.6 miles to 11 miles, with 12 different trails to choose from. There’s always something new to see with some much space to explore; see beautiful wildflowers, hear a variety of bird calls, or simply enjoy a stroll through shady cypress swamps. 

Looking for a reason to go see Conservation Park for yourself? Join the City of Panama City Beach at the park for their 2025 Fall Walk! It will take place on October 14th from 3:30-4:30pm at Conservation Park (100 Conservation Drive). 

Sandy Creek State Forest

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Photo Credit: Bear Creek Forest Florida Forever Project by Lauren YohoWildpath

Welcome to Sandy Creek State Forest!

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has acquired 12,243 acres in Bay County that will become a new state forest system. The new forest acreage will expand the Florida Wildlife Corridor; it will also provide a new natural destination for public recreation in Northwest Florida. Completed under the Bear Creek Forest Florida Forever Project, the new acreage protects a key portion of the St. Andrew Bay Watershed. Protecting the watershed helps 1) safeguard water quality, 2) reduce flooding in surrounding communities, and 3) supports a wide variety of habitats. Habitats include: longleaf pine forests, wetlands, and floodplains. The habitats support wildlife like the keystone gopher tortoise, the Florida black bear, and other potentially threatened and endangered species like the reticulated flatwoods salamander and dark-headed hatpins flower.

The property will be managed by the Florida Forest Service to support both conservation and recreation. DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert says, “With the creation of Sandy Creek State Forest, we’re not only preserving vital ecosystems and expanding wildlife habitat but also connecting conservation lands from Eglin Air Force Base to Apalachicola National Forest. This new state forest will offer meaningful public access while protecting the natural resources that make our state so special.”

The park isn’t open to the public quite yet, but will offer hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor education once it is. According to an email from the DEP Press Office, “Florida is at the forefront of the nation’s land protection efforts and continues to be a model for other land acquisition programs across the country. Through the Florida Forever Program, the state conserves land that provides environmental, recreational and preservation benefits, including water quality and quantity safeguards; resilience from storm impacts; habitat and species protections; and outdoor recreation opportunities.”

For more information about the Florida Forever Program, visit Florida DEP here.

Panama City & Beach: 4th of July Celebrations

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It’s once again that time of year, the Fourth of July will soon be here!

Panama City and Panama City Beach are the places to be this July Fourth weekend (July 3-5). The weekend begins with two kick-off events that promise food, fun, and fireworks: Light Up The Bay at Papa Joe’s Bayside and Freedom Rocks at the Grand Lagoon.

The fun continues with the city’s premier event, the Star Spangled Spectacular, where fireworks are shot into the sky from both the Russell-Fields City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier for the visual enjoyment of all. Local radio stations will be offering simultaneously music choreographed to match the Freedom Rocks and the Star Spangled Spectacular.

Then, the holiday weekend festivities will culminate with Boardwalk Beach Resort’s fireworks extravaganza, Light up the Gulf, on July 5. Learn more by visiting the Event Website Here.

Southern Shakespeare Festival

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The Southern Shakespeare Company will be performing Henry IV, Part 1 under the stars to close out the year. The production guest stars Wil Johnson from HBO’s House of the Dragon, and is directed by Conner Wilson from Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Emmy Award winner Kelsey Scott (12 Years a Slave and The Walking Dead) and comedian Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall and Lilo and Stitch) will also perform during the 10th anniversary event.

The Bardlings, the company’s youth acting troupe, will be performing a streamlined version of The Tempest on Saturday, May 10th and Sunday, May 11th. The festival is free. Please note that the seats are first-come, first-serve. Performances will take place at the Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Park, Tallahassee. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.

There will also be art vendors and food trucks on site before and during the performances. Please bring cash. Learn more by visiting the Southern Shakespeare Festival website. 

National Hiking Day

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Ocala National Forest

Today is National Hiking Day! This is an excellent time of year to go out and explore the wilderness around you. Here in the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas, there’s a number of unique ecosystems to explore at local, state, and national parks. Here’s a list of just a few of the beautiful places to explore today:

Candlelight Tour of Amelia Island’s Historic Fort

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Fort Clinch, located on Amelia Island, became one of Florida’s first state parks in 1935 due to historic conservation efforts. Now, Fort Clinch State Park is a 1,400 acre park featuring diverse nature, a historic fort, and a variety of outdoor activities. Tomorrow, visitors can register to participate in a candlelight tour of the fort. The fort has quite the ambiance with its narrow underground passageways, spiral staircases, and furnished bunkhouse. It also offers a gorgeous view of the Atlantic coast and Cumberland Island. Learn more about reserving your spot HERE. 

Additionally, the First Weekend Federal Garrison is occurring this weekend. During the Garrison, living historians dress and act as the Union soldiers who occupied the fort during its construction in 1864.

Dogs & Drinks

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Dogs & Drinks is a relatively new membership-based dog park and bar. Located in downtown Panama City, it’s a community opportunity for dogs and their human companions. In order to visit, you must purchase a day, month, or annual membership. The membership includes all the dog amenities and access to the human bar – pet friends for the dog, refreshing beer, wine, or cocktails for the human! Dogs & Drinks frequently hosts food trucks and scheduled events such as Paint Your Pet, Puppy Day, and Foam parties. Call (850) 215-4522 to learn more or email dogsndrinks@gmail.com. You can also visit their website HERE. 

 

Dog Parks in Panama City

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Looking for a way to get your dog more social time? Need a new trail to take your high-energy pups on? Try one of the dog-friendly parks below:

  1. Frank Brown Park and Dog Park (16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy) – Leashed dogs are welcome throughout Frank Brown Park including on the hiking trails and the onsite dog park for off-leash playtime. The dog park has separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, benches, water, and cleanup stations.
  2. Aaron Bessant Park (500 W Park Dr) – This park is a dog-friendly recreation complex that welcomes leashed, well-behaved pets. The park features 70 acres of fun for the whole family to enjoy.
  3. A.L. Kinsaul Park (1146 W 5th St) – A relatively new pet-friendly park next to an idyllic location. There are two separate areas for large and small dogs. There is a water fountain on site. 
  4. Al Helms Dog Park (1022 Balboa Ave) – This park features three separate fenced areas: one for small (under 30 lbs) dogs, one for large (over 30 lbs) dogs, and one for shy dogs. The park also features double gates, running water, a water station, benches, and cleanup stations. 
  5. Zollie Young Dog Park (4430 Mill Bayou Rd) – The park features a large, fenced in area for the dogs to roam safely off leash. 

2024 North Florida Wildflower Festival

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The North Florida Wildflower Festival is held annually on the last Saturday of April in Blountstown, Florida. This year, that means it falls on April 27th. Blountstown is located in the heart of the Panhandle, just an hour from Tallahassee, Panama City, and Dothan, Alabama. Held in the picturesque Magnolia Square and surrounding streets, the event will run from 9am-2pm. 

The festival features over 100 vendors specializing in flowers, plants, garden and outdoor items, handcrafted goods, jewelry, home décor, artwork, apparel, food, and more!

VENDOR REGISTRATION is now open! Apply HERE. The event is coordinated by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce. 

Caverns Cultural Celebration: Rescheduled

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We posted about the Caverns Cultural Celebration last December but the event was canceled due to extreme weather. Luckily, you can still enjoy the event! It has been rescheduled for March 2nd. Come out to learn about blacksmithing, woodworking, beekeeping, flintknapping, candlemaking, and more. There will also be food and interesting vendors selling their rural crafts and other homesteading goods. The Caverns Cultural Celebration will take place at the Florida Caverns State Park.