By Mayor Mark Sheldon
Every community, if it is lucky, has one – that hidden gem that takes you a bit by surprise.
The beauty and attraction of our sugar white sandy beaches and emerald green waters have garnered us attention as one of the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches. But Panama City Beach has more. The City’s unexpected place is easily the City Conservation Park.
Think 24 miles of winding trails through 2,900 acres of wetlands and pine forest where hundreds of species of flora and fauna can be found. Think a paradise for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and dog owners. And entry is free.
Residents and visitors alike love Conservation Park because it not only provides numerous recreational opportunities, but also because of its role in protecting West Bay by serving as a reservoir for treated wastewater. This makes it a true haven for nature lovers.
Over the course of less than a year, park staff have observed 11 species of reptiles and amphibians, most notably the gopher tortoise, a state-listed threatened species.
A rare plant survey was conducted several years ago, noting that habitats within the park historically could support more than 50 federal-and state-listed plant species including native plants and longleaf pines. At least seven state-protected species have been documented at the park.
The Bay County Audubon Society has helped put together a comprehensive list of birds. Bird species observations and counts are conducted on a regular basis. Data collected by volunteers and bird enthusiasts is recorded on www.eBird.org. This data, listing 171 different species of birds, distinguishes the park as a “hotspot” for bird watchers.
The local Audubon Society hosts four Bird Walks each year at the park beginning at 7:30 on Saturdays. Upcoming events are scheduled for December 11, February 12, and March 12.
The park also hosts special events like birthday parties, reunions, field trips and weddings.
In many ways, the Panama City Beach Conservation Park is a laboratory that blends fun, environmental awareness, science, and sustainability in the great outdoors. Especially during a pandemic, the Conservation Park has provided a perfect respite for our residents and our visitors.
What better time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors in this peaceful, out-of-the way setting, than the fall? The temperatures are beginning to cool off and the number of visitors to our city is tapering off. This is a great time to be outside.
The Conservation Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. All dogs must be leashed. Picnic tables and an outdoor classroom are also on site, along with a large parking lot and bathroom facilities. There is a refillable water station here as well, and visitors are encouraged to bring water and a snack.
Several improvements are planned for the park in the coming months including construction of a park office/meeting room and additional signage that would include user-friendly digital QR codes that could be scanned along the trails for location and educational purposes.
The park is located at 100 Conservation Drive. To get there, take Panama City Beach Parkway and turn north on Griffin Boulevard, west of State Road 79. Travel approximately 1.5 miles north and the road dead-ends at the park.
