PARKS+REC

Okaloosa approves $1.65 million expansion of Veterans’ Park, adding 4 new women statues

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve Phase II of the Veteran’s Park project, adding four new statues and expanding the trail system to honor more women who served in the U.S. armed forces. 

• The $1.65 million project will further develop the 20-acre Veteran’s Park site, building on the existing memorial wall, flags, statues and walking trail that opened in November 2021 for Phase I. 

“People love this park. It is a sacred and almost spiritual experience to walk in the park,” said Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel. “Not just because of the statues, but because of the land itself. There’s twenty and a half acres of absolutely exquisite land that we hope to cherish and nourish and continue to have for many years to come. We need to preserve Old Florida, and that’s part of what this is.”

The new phase will add a looping trail on the east side of the current trail, matching the phase I materials and design. Four new statues will also be installed along the new trail to honor additional women veterans. 

Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey told commissioners he hopes to use the original firms, Mott MacDonald for design and sculptor Jon Hair for the statues, to maintain continuity from the first phase.

• Coffey said costs for the new statues are estimated around $90,000 each, with a total budget of $435,000 for the four statues including plaques and shipping. 
• The trail expansion carries a $1.215 million price tag. 

Timing is unknown at this time, but it could take approximately 18 months to implement and could be ready for opening/unveiling Veteran’s Day (Nov) 2024 or Woman’s Veterans Day (June) 2025, according to Coffey.

The park memorializes women who served in the U.S. military throughout history, with phase I featuring honorees from the Revolutionary War through the war in Afghanistan: 

• Margaret Corbin
• Cathay Williams
• Lenah Higbee
• Jacqueline Cochran
• Jonita Bonham
• Sharon Lane
• Leigh Ann Hester
• Nasima Dada

“This is phase two, but I will tell you tonight, there will be a phase three, there will be a phase four probably, there will be an ask on this that’s going to go forward for years to come,” Ketchel said. “Because people love this park and they want to see it grow. We have so many women that we can recognize that just have done remarkable things. This is a legacy project that this commission should be proud of for the rest of their lives and for their grandchildren to come.”

Coffey said the Women’s Veterans Monument Committee began meeting six months ago to start planning the next phase and will bring recommendations for the four new statue honorees to the commission for consideration at a future meeting.

• “The memorial continues to grow in its notoriety and resound as people discover it and bring their children to hear these stories of bravery and heroism,” he said. 

Commissioner Paul Mixon said he supports the project itself but wants to ensure other needed infrastructure improvements are not neglected, like the county’s “living shoreline” erosion control project that has been delayed.

“Here’s my concern. The timeline,” said Mixon. “That living seashore still has not been done. So there’s been no hardening efforts to pursue protecting all of this infrastructure that we’re spending so much to put in.”

• Coffey responded that his understanding was the living shoreline bid process was close to moving forward after previous holdups.

The project will utilize tourist development tax funds, also known as “bed tax” revenue collected on short-term rentals and lodging in the county. Some private donations were also announced at the meeting to support the effort.

SCHOOL

Okaloosa STEMM Academy recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School

The Okaloosa STEMM Academy has been recognized as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School, one of only 353 schools in the nation and 13 in Florida to receive the honor, the Okaloosa County School District announced Friday.

• The recognition is based on the STEMM Academy’s overall academic performance and progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

“This recognition not only highlights the hard work and dedication of our students but also acknowledges the outstanding efforts put forth by our incredible teachers and staff,” Principal Scheree Martin said. “It is a reflection of the strong partnerships we have formed with parents and the support we receive from our community stakeholders and district team.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools in one of two performance categories: exemplary high-performing schools and exemplary achievement gap-closing schools. STEMM Academy earned recognition in the exemplary high-performing category.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers said the Blue Ribbon award is one of the most prestigious honors a school can receive.

• “I am very proud,” Chambers said. “Congratulations to each and every student, teacher, staff, administrator and family member of STEMM.”

The award affirms the school’s stated mission to nurture intellectually curious, critical thinking and creative problem-solving students. STEMM Academy and other 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.

MILITARY

Hurlburt Field to open airpark to the public in Spring 2024, featuring historic aircraft

The first phase of construction is now complete as the Air Force Special Operations Command prepares to open the Hurlburt Field Airpark to the public next spring, giving visitors a chance to see historic aircraft firsthand and learn about the legacy of Air Commandos.

• With aircraft nicknames like “Wicked Wanda,” “The Ultimate End” and “Big Daddy,” each plane and monument in the airpark has a story behind it, said AFSOC historian Todd Schroeder.

“Even in their silence, airplanes tell a story,” Schroeder said. “They tell the story of our Air Commandos, operations, missions and achievements.”

The airpark will showcase over 20 static aircraft displays from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War era and the Global War on Terror.

Aircraft on display include an:

• AC-119G Shadow
• C-46D Commando
• B-25J Mitchell
• HH-3E Jolly Green
• AC-47D Spooky
• T-28A Trojan
• O-1E Bird Dog

Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC commander, said opening the park will allow the command to preserve the Air Commando legacy and share its mission with the local community.

“We are dedicated to preserving the legacy of our Air Commandos and we want to share our mission – past, present and future – with our community,” Bauernfeind said. “We look forward to educating and inspiring our visitors about the rich heritage and traditions that we have here at Hurlburt Field and within AFSOC.”

The airpark has been closed to the public for over 20 years. Officials currently expect it to open in spring 2024, with plans to later add a museum and heritage center.

Some aircraft have stories attached to their service. The crew of “The Ultimate End,” for example, remembers March 4, 1972 as both lucky and unlucky – that night their AC-130A Spectre gunship was severely damaged by enemy fire but managed to limp home.

• “Wicked Wanda,” an AC-130H Spectre on display, deployed in nearly every U.S. conflict since Vietnam. “Big Daddy” earned its nickname as the first of the AC-130U gunship fleet.

The park also includes memorials like one honoring Master Sgt. John Chapman, an Air Force combat controller who died protecting teammates in Afghanistan in 2002 and was awarded the Medal of Honor.

“The airpark is special because it’s a tangible timeline of special operations and Hurlburt Field,” Schroeder said. “It shows how our Air Commandos innovated and adapted and never settled for the status-quo.”

The expansion is being coordinated with the Air Commando Association, a nonprofit group committed to preserving Air Commando heritage.

AFSOC would like to hear from all airpark stakeholders. Any individuals who represent the organizations with a memorial or monument in the airpark can reach out to AFSOC Public Affairs at afsoc.pa.org@us.af.mil no later than September 22, 2023 to receive information about upcoming area development planning meetings.

SCHOOL

Inmates earn certifications at the Okaloosa Correctional Institution through NWFSC Corrections Program

This summer, twenty-six inmates from the Okaloosa County Correctional Institution earned skilled trade certifications through Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC).

• The NWFSC Corrections Program had fourteen who received the Heavy Equipment Machinery certification and twelve who received the Carpentry certification.

The NWFSC Corrections Program is a 6-month trades training program that offers industry certifications to inmates. Students become eligible and are selected in the program once they approach their anticipated release date.  After successfully finishing the program, inmates earn industry certifications in OSHA 10, NCCER Certifications in Core, Construction Safety, Heavy Equipment 1, or Carpentry 1. 

“This program embodies NWFSC’s commitment to providing opportunities for education and skill development to all individuals,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson. “These accomplishments underscore the transformative power of education and the potential for positive change and a brighter future.”

The Okaloosa Correctional Institution, a level V facility that houses approximately 900 adult male inmates, is in Crestview. Offenders can receive substance abuse treatment, earn their GED, and earn certifications through programs such as the NWFSC Trades Training Program while incarcerated at the facility.

GIVING BACK

Beulah First Baptist Church honored by Okaloosa County on its 85th anniversary

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners has honored Beulah First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach on its 85th anniversary. The board approved a proclamation Tuesday recognizing the church’s longevity and importance in the community.

Beulah First Baptist Church began in 1938 as the First Community Church, when a group began holding Bible classes in homes. It later became the Colored Community Baptist Church before adopting its current name.

• It is the second oldest in Fort Walton Beach and the first black church in the local community. The church also housed the first public school for black children and provided adult education classes for veterans.

Over the decades, Beulah First Baptist has expanded with additional property, vehicles, a larger sanctuary, children’s ministries and the creation of an academy and outreach center.

Beulah has been under the leadership of ten pastors: Rev. W. Garrett, Rev. H. McNeil, Rev. O. R. Robinson, Rev. E. W. Thomson, Rev. Fitzchew, Rev. A.D. Bell, Sr., Rev. David Savage, Rev Matthew Payne, Jr., Rev. Scottie L. Thigpen, and Rev Felix L. Cole.

“I have been to this church recently and it is one of the most alive and spiritual churches,” said Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel during the proclamation reading. “If you don’t have a church home you might want to consider this church.”

TRAFFIC

Highway 285 to close for test mission, noise advisory

The 96th Test Wing will conduct explosives testing on the Eglin range complex requiring the closure of Highway 285.  

• In addition, residents in the area will hear a noticeably louder than typical detonation during that time.

Testing will take place September 27. The road will be closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Note, the road will not be closed for more than a 90-minute period. 

Back-up missions will be Sept. 28 to Oct. 3.

TRAVEL

New shade canopies coming to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, curbside pickup area

The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to award a $5.5 million contract to construct new shade canopies at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. The contract was awarded to Whitesell-Green Inc.

• The canopies will be built over the curbside pickup area used by rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, and will connect to covered walkways leading to the main terminal curb for arriving and departing passengers.  

“I’m excited today to present this item for a new project that we are looking to kick off at the airport,” said Chad Rogers, speaking on behalf of Airports Director Tracy Stage. “It’s another key piece of the airport’s master plan that we developed in 2020.”

Rogers said the canopies will enhance capacity at the busy airport, while also providing safety improvements by replacing damaged sidewalks and eliminating tripping hazards from root systems. The airport believes diverting some passenger pickup to the secondary curb used by rideshares could help ease congestion at the main terminal curb. 

The project scope includes rehabilitating existing covered walkways that lead to long-term parking, employee parking and car rental return areas. Those structures will be sandblasted, repainted and get new roofs to match the look of the new canopies.  Additionally, the project will relocate the primary flagpole to be prominent to all guests to the Airport, as well as passing traffic on Highway 85.

• “All of those existing covered walkways will be sandblasted, repainted with new roofs, in order to not make the older covered walkways stick out like an eyesore,” Rogers said.

The canopies were originally planned as a multiphase project using state and airport funding over several years. But Rogers said the county was able to reprogram $4.5 million in federal CARES Act pandemic relief funds to pay for construction all at once.

“Instead of multiple years and doing this in segments and inhibiting operations multiple times, we can do it all in one efficient, effective project,” Rogers told commissioners.

Funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration, Florida Department of Transportation grants and a small portion of county airport funds. Rogers said less than 4% of the total $5.5 million cost will come from airport revenues.

The contract award was approved 5-0. Construction on the shade canopies will begin later this year and continue into 2024.