By Tamara L. Young, Public Information Director for the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village
Joe’s Bayou: This Department of Environmental Protection project is in the permitting phase.
“If there is one thing I have learned in government, it is that state projects take time,” said Mayor Bobby Wagner. A good example of this is with the Joe’s Bayou upgrades. Currently in the permitting stage, Joe’s Bayou will see over an acre of improved waterfront access, upgraded piers, and more family-friendly spaces. “But once this is done, Joe’s Bayou will be one of the coolest locals parks we have.”
Councilwoman Terésa Hebert agreed. “The upgraded piers, boat launches, and improved parking are all much needed changes for our citizens and visitors.”
The Crosstown Connector: Storm water drainage is being installed now, with roadway and multi-use path construction to begin in 2026. The project aims to relieve neighborhood congestion while enhancing walkability.
“Apps like Google Maps and Waze have already pushed traffic into our neighborhoods,” said Wagner. “The Crosstown Connector takes that traffic off local streets and puts it behind people’s backyard fences where it belongs. And we are not just planning for cars, we are building for people.”
Batting Cages at Morgan Sports Complex: With its renewed Children’s Park, Morgan Sports Complex continues to be a gathering spot for families, and more plans are in the works. By late Fall 2025, Morgan Sports Complex will unveil one batting cage with six bays — a permanent addition designed to serve athletes young and old.
“Having fixed, permanent batting cages at Morgan’s will be a huge asset for the community of Destin as well as all visitors that come to this park,” said Councilman Kevin Schmidt. “For the Destin community, having access to multiple cages at this park will allow great practice opportunities. When tournaments are hosted with visiting teams from all across the country, the upgrades will allow multiple teams a safe place to warm up before games.”
Morgan Sports Lighting: Almost all the field lighting is complete. The lighting in the parking lot will be next up for the project, and all lighting will be in place by late Fall 2025.
“Having the lights replaced and upgraded to new LED is monumental for every field at Morgan’s, including baseball, softball and soccer,” said Schmidt. Over the years, we have lost the ability to maintain and fix the aging lights, and we have had no lights on many poles, creating a not-so-great playing field. This will be a major improvement and an amazing cost savings over time.”
Pickleball: The fastest-growing sport in America has found a home here. Four new courts, canopy-covered benches, restrooms, and parking upgrades are expected to be ready by Spring 2026.
“This project has been years in the making, and it is exciting to finally see work happening on site,” said Wagner. The hardest part was starting from scratch with a brand-new facility, which meant most of the budget had to go toward the foundation and infrastructure. The silver lining is that once these first four courts and bathrooms are done, the groundwork is in place. If the community wants more courts or even new amenities like a skate park, the site is ready to expand.”
Tarpon Park: The new beachfront park will offer 340-feet of additional public beach access, free parking with 49 standard spaces, 3 ADA accessible spaces, 29 LSV spaces, bathroom facilities, and four pavilions. The County is leading this effort with hopes to have it ready by Summer 2026.
“For years, crowded beaches and legal disputes have left people asking, ‘Where is the line in the sand?’” said Wagner. “The surest solution is simple. Buy back beachfront property so locals and visitors alike always have access. That is what Tarpon Park represents. When we secure public beaches, we are not just buying sand. We are protecting a family tradition that stretches across generations. Many visitors tell me about their first family vacations here, and now they are bringing their kids back to repeat the cycle. These are the kinds of stories that bind visitors and locals together, and keeping our beaches open ensures that cycle continues for generations to come.”
Norriego Point: New dunes walkovers, conservation features, bathrooms and boardwalks are nearing completion.
“It has been a long time seeing this come to fruition,” said Hebert. “Hopefully by New Year’s Eve, we can watch fireworks there, have picnics and enjoy the beautiful park and views.”
Clement Taylor Park: Fencing is up, and restoration has begun. The pier is currently being replaced board-for-board, and the new playground will be in place in Fall 2026.
“I will admit I am biased because this is my favorite park, with some of the oldest trees in Destin,” said Wagner. “What I love is how this project shows we can modernize without losing the natural beauty. The new playground, restrooms, pavilions, and dock are much-needed upgrades, but the real heart of Clement Taylor is still its trees and shoreline. Nature remains the star here.”
Undergrounding Utilities: Almost all the conduit is in, and restoration work has begun. “Undergrounding utilities is about preparing Destin for the future,” said Wagner. “It makes us more resilient to storms, cleans up the look of our streets, and future proofs our infrastructure.”
Dredging: There is an existing 100-foot-wide Army Core of Engineer channel that helps guide boat traffic in and out of Destin Harbor from the nearby East Pass. The larger boats with greater drafts that utilize Destin Harbor have requested that the city dredge the harbor channel because they are struggling to maneuver within the existing channel given the amount of boat traffic and the lack of depth within portions of the channel.
Four Prong Lake: Permitting is complete, and the city is working to secure funding. “Four Prong Lake shows what local government can do when we partner and find the right funding,” said Wagner. “This is a nearly 3-million-dollar project, and two-thirds of that money is coming from the state. It is also a great case study for annexation. A gated neighborhood with flooding issues, and yet by working together with their HOA, the city, and outside partners, we are solving real problems while being good stewards of our local tax dollars.”
Dalton Threadgill: The city is working with Destin Little League to install a drainage system and artificial turf on two fields. The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
“Dalton Threadgill holds a special place in everyone’s heart in the city of Destin,” said Schmidt. “The partnership that the city has with the Destin Little League (a 501c3 organization) has been in place for nearly 50 years! The fields and playing surfaces are prepped and maintained by volunteers of the league during season in partnership with the city. Having turf playing infields will allow significant savings in maintenance for all, a much better and safer playing surface, and field prep will be a breeze, and we should almost never have a cancellation due to flooded infield.”
Calhoun (446) Ave: The property is currently being evaluated to determine how much parking could be placed there. “While still in process, the possibility of purchasing the property could be a huge gain for the city,” said Schmidt. “Threadgill park is used probably over 150 nights out of the year by families in Destin. With siblings, aunts/uncles, grandparents, and parents all coming to games as well, parking has always been an issue. During game season, you will find cars parked all around the streets, on sidewalks, under trees, etc. This not only is a problem for damage to property but a major safety issue with kids walking around. With the potential to add 70+ parking spots, it would alleviate almost every car there for that night of games. Again, game changer!”
Mattie Kelly: The city has a storm water outfall located at Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk which is a part of the Joe’s Bayou Recreation Area. This storm water outfall serves the wetland area adjacent to Joe’s Bayou Recreation Area and a significant area of the surrounding residential neighborhood. The outfall is undersized, and during storm events with high water levels in the bay, the bay water will run inland through the outfall. This project should be out to bid Fall 2025.
There are, of course, more projects in motion, like the Linear Trail (a new east-to-west connector for walkers and cyclists, currently in easement negotiations) and the Shore at Crystal Beach (the Development Order is in the review stage).
“As our schools grow and more families call Destin home, our parks, roads, facilities and beaches need to grow with them. Years from now, people will see this time as a turning point for our city,” said Wagner.
