By Tamara L. Young, PID for the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village
As 2026 gets underway, Destin is buzzing with momentum. From Joe’s Bayou to Clement Taylor Park, long-anticipated projects are becoming reality, signaling a fresh year of progress designed to enhance life in the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village. Here’s a look at some of the city’s ongoing projects and improvements:
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, with roadway and multi-use path construction to begin this year. 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, especially with batting cages with six bays having been completed — 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.”
Morgan Sports Lighting—Field and Parking Lot:
“Having the lights replaced and upgraded to new LED is monumental for every field at Morgan’s, including baseball, softball and soccer,” said Schmidt. “This is 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 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 in place.
Clement Taylor Park: Restoration has begun. The pier has been completed, 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: Phase 1 project and restoration work has begun and is located along U.S. Highway 98 from the Marler Bridge to Airport Road. “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 and Destin Little League partnered to install a drainage system and artificial turf on two fields.
“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 allows significant savings in maintenance for all, a much better and safer playing surface, and field prep a breeze. We should almost never have a cancellation due to flooded infield.”
There are, of course, more projects in motion, such as Calhoun (446) Ave., Mattie Kelly, the Linear Trail (a new east-to-west connector for walkers and cyclists and the Shore at Crystal Beach.
“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.
