Okaloosa County officials cut the ribbon Thursday morning on a fully renovated playground at Ross Marler Park, completing a $1.3 million transformation project funded entirely by tourism tax revenue.

• The new playground features rubberized safety surfacing, multiple slides, play structures with a coastal theme, and educational elements focused on local marine life.

“It’s a great asset that we get to have right here in the beautiful District 2,” said Paul Mixon, Chairman of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, during the ceremony. “This is going to be a great home to some of those memories that are being made by families to come.”

The playground includes several accessibility features, including ADA-compliant equipment for the 5-7 age group, a spinning area for wheelchair users, and sections that teach sign language.

Jennifer Adams, Director of Tourism and Development (TDC), emphasized that tourist tax dollars benefit both visitors and residents.

• “Our mission at the TDC is to make time spent here, whether living, working or visiting, more valuable to all,” Adams said. “Everyone thinks it’s just heads and beds and it’s not.”

Educational elements include features about invasive lionfish, sea turtle nesting, and beach safety. Musical instruments were also incorporated to provide an interactive sensory experience.

• The playground’s coastal-themed design includes custom features like a whale shark, sail shades and benches. 

District 2 Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel noted the playground is part of broader improvements in the area.

“We have the new bike path going in, which I’m very excited about,” Ketchel said. “We have Santa Rosa Boulevard, which will be transformed, and the new Brooks Bridge.”

• The park is named after Ross Clinton Marler, the last “Marler” postmaster in Destin who retired in 1972. The Marler family played a significant role in Destin’s early development.

“This is such a wonderful time to be part of the county. I am excited to have this for our children,” said Ketchel. “We do take those wonderful tourism development dollars and put them back into the community.”

Ketchel noted the transformation of the area creates a recreational hub just a “stone’s throw” from the recently improved Women’s Veterans Park.

• Officials highlighted that the playground design allows for use by people of all abilities and ages.

“Every structure is designed to be played on,” including features that parents can climb and play on with their children, according to project documentation.