The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the Patriot Park Master Concept Plan on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
- The county received a donation of 165.4 acres in January 2024 from the developer of Patriot Ridge. The property is located east of State Road 85 between Shoal River Drive and the Shoal River.
Since receiving the donation, the county has acquired 270-plus acres in the same area, connecting the donated property to other acquired land totaling more than 2,000 acres the county purchased over a decade ago.
Jeff Peters, facilities and parks director, presented the concept plan developed with Kimley Horn & Associates, county staff and local neighborhood input.
- “One of the things about that [citizens] committee – they’re positive,” Peters said. “They come, they show up to the meeting with energy and really are excited about having this park in their neighborhood.”
The park will feature a 1.25-mile loop trail for walkers and runners using much of the existing cart path from a previous golf course. County staff are currently clearing the trail path and repairing bridges to connect the entire trail.
Planned features
Eastern portion:
- Parking lot
- Pavilion
- Bathrooms
- Pickleball courts
- Open space
Western portion:
- Parking lot
- Playground (for ages 3-5 and 5-12)
- Pavilions
- Bathrooms
- Dog park (separate areas for small and large dogs)
- Open spaces
Trail features:
- Obstacle courses for kids
- Challenge structures for all ages
- Scenic overlooks
- Benches
- Educational displays
- Deck overlooking the river
Peters said bridges that were in poor condition have been replaced.
“They’re brand new,” Peters said. “That was one of the major concepts to get completed first, so we can continue on with the project.”
Community involvement
The project followed an atypical development process, according to Chairman Paul Mixon.
After the property came into county ownership, Mixon hosted a town hall meeting at Live Oak Baptist Church with maps displayed around the wall. During that meeting, he pitched the idea for a citizen committee composed of people from the neighborhood and community who would be most immediately impacted.
- “All of you have (done a tremendous job), so thank you for your continued efforts in the way that this is going to drastically improve not just your neighborhood, but the whole county for an asset that we get like nothing else,” Mixon said.
The citizen committee worked with Peters to collaborate on the design before bringing it to the Board of County Commissioners for approval.
“This process allowed the community to have a voice in shaping a park in their neighborhood,” said Mixon after the meeting. “They get to see their input reflected in the final result.”
To access the park, visitors coming into Crestview will take a right just before the CEFCO station at Live Oak Church Road, which will bring them back into the neighborhood.
The county has budgeted $800,000 in fiscal year 2026 for phase 1, which covers the western portion of the park. Phase 1 will partially open next spring.
Phase 2, covering the eastern portion, will be approved at a later date.
