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Walton County Opens Pilcher Park On The Bay

April 10, 2017 by SoWal Staff

About 50 people attended the opening of Pilcher Park on Friday, April 7th. The crowd was was wowed by the gem of a park underneath the 331 bridge on the south shore of the Choctawhatchee Bay.

Walton County Commissioners joined the celebration along with representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation to dedicate the new Thomas Pilcher Park and the second span of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge.

The new park is the place to go for launching a boat on the bay, or fishing along the rocks and the docks, or on the 200-foot pier. Just about any species of saltwater fish can be caught at the park.

It's really impressive, built to last, and a great addition to the Walton County collection of parks. The park has restrooms, three pavilions (picnic tables coming soon), four boat ramps with docks and parking for 30 boat trailers and 50 spaces for cars. The project is part of the four-laning of 331, including the construction of a new bridge across the bay. $25 million was raised for the bridge project with the creation of a 1/2 cent sales tax with $6 million intended for the park and other improvements.

The new park will be maintained by the Walton County Tourist Development Council’s Beach Maintenance department. In the near future, the TDC will be installing picnic tables under the covered pavilions, additional bench seating throughout the park, as well as additional trashcans. Walton County is working towards the installation of a weather station that includes cameras, a security system, and other items that will enhance the park.

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C.J.KERSTEN replied on

WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW BRIDGE ON #331 IN WALTON COUNTY, THE AREA THAT USED TO BE FOR FISHING, THE CLYDE B WELLS BRIDGE, HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE PILCHER PARK. YES, THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL SPOT — BUT NOT FOR FISHING. NO ONE IS CATCHING ANYTHING. I'M TOLD THE REMOVAL OF FISHING IN THE OLD AREA (CBWB) AND REPLACED W/ THE PARK, WAS DONE FOR SAFTY REASONS. THE NEW AREA IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CATCHING FISH; THE PIERS ARE OUT TOO FAR . HAD ANYONE EVER CONSIDERED CHECKING WITH SOMEONE, (A USED TO BE FISHERMAN) WHEN PLANNING THIS NEW SPOT TO SEE IF THIS AREA WOULD BE CONDUCIVE FOR CATCHING FISH. PUT SOME PARALLEL PARKING DOWN IN THE OLD AREA (CBWB )AND LET’S START CATCHING FISH AGAIN. AFTER 13 YEARS OF ENJOYING THIS HOBBY, (FISHING); I HAVE TO HANG UP MY RODS . HAVEN’T CAUGHT ONE FISH OR EVEN HAD A BITE.PUT SOME PARALLEL PARKING DOWN IN THE OLD AREA (CBWB )AND LET’S START CATCHING FISH AGAIN.

steven underwood replied on

Hi! To introduce my self I am Steve Underwood resident of the black creek/Freeport area. I am an avid fisherman. This is a copy of the petition literature that we have posted. It is currently posted at Danny Copelands gun shop / fishing / bait store, Franks hardware in Freeport, the Freeport café, the Black creek café, BJ's bait and feed Freeport among others. I am also sending pictures of the bridge and fishing areas along it. I suppose I should say the causeway of the bridge. The fishermen in this area have gone from 7 boat ramp locations and 8 fishing spots to one single spot only accessible from the south requiring u turns for access and exit to the north.
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