Baseball And Picnics, Anyone? : Update On Parks Improvements

PANAMA CITY, FL - In Panama City, Florida, Daffin Park is being transformed with funding from HUD, as was announced by Keith Mefford, Director of Parks and Recreation, speaking at a recent community event where he detailed multiple parts of an exciting revitalization project that promises to make the park a vibrant hub for families and residents.  Phase two includes the baseball field at Daffin Park that will be rebuilt with lighting added and shade sails over dugouts. There will be a new football field with lighting, scoreboards and bleachers, a paved road to all the buildings and a pavilion and trees over by the playground.  Mefford hopes to complete part of the work in-house, which saved the City of Panama City about $3 million during Phase one, out of the $12.2 million budget.

Carl Gray Park is a beautiful, waterfront investment with grills in three big pavilions, each of which can be reserved for an affordable fee, and two new restrooms. The beach has a retaining wall to help protect that beach sand. It is a great place to have a picnic.  There is a beach volleyball court and a secondary parking lot with solar lighting to give college students a place to park.  Also planned to be completed is the repair of the playground.

At H D Mathis Park, over on Florida Avenue, the walking trail has been paved as well as the parking lot, which now has about 30 parking spaces available. Restrooms have been provided.

If you haven't been by the Waterfront Park in Millville lately, you won't recognize it now, with a massive (35 foot by 45 foot) amphitheater, a playground, new sidewalk and lighting.  There will be free concerts and other events to bring the community together.

Last but not least, Phase one of rebuilding the Garden Club is nearly complete and that building should be open in another month or so.

These projects, alongside others like Henry Davis Park and the MLK Recreation Center, reflect Panama City’s commitment to revitalizing public spaces, ensuring many opportunities for the community to meet and play together.
Photos by Karen Custer.