Walton County Celebrates Improvements at Historic Henry Park

Completion of improvements at historic Henry Park in DeFuniak Springs was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by members of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners, Walton County Tourism and Beach Operations, DeFuniak Springs City Council and the community. 

Members of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners, Walton County Tourism and Beach Operations, DeFuniak Springs City Council and the Robert Nelson family cut the ribbon to mark the completion of Henry Park improvements.

Improvements included remodeling the restroom to be ADA compliant by combining the men's and women's restroom into one large facility. Also, an ADA-accessible ramp and stairs were added to the fountain patio, the insulation and HVAC were upgraded and the front door was replaced. 

The project cost just under $94,000 and was paid with the Tourist Development Tax, a 3-percent tax collected on short-term rental accommodations, such as hotels, motels and campgrounds, in north Walton County.

“This project is especially significant because it represents the first capital improvement project funded by the North Walton Tourist Development Tax," said Beach Operations Director Josh Ervin.

Implemented in 2021, the North Walton TDT, also known as a bed-tax, supports tourism growth across Walton County by funding projects that enhance visitor experiences and highlight the area’s unique assets, said Ervin. It's paid exclusively by visitors.

Ervin said reinvesting tourism funding locally helps preserve historic spaces, like Henry Park, while keeping them vibrant and welcoming for both residents and visitors. The improvements reflect a broader commitment to honoring the community’s history, fostering collaboration and enhancing DeFuniak Springs as a place to live and visit.

The event also honored the life and legacy of the late Robert Nelson, a respected community leader who helped bring the transformation of Henry Park to life.

"The reason we're here today is because of Robert Nelson," said District Two County Commissioner Danny Glidewell. "[He] was passionate about it. He wanted it done, and he thought it would be a good reopening of the gateway of DeFuniak.”

Remembered for his can-do spirit and his signature phrase, “Let’s just get some things done,” Nelson’s vision and determination were celebrated as a lasting legacy that will benefit the community for years to come, Ervin said.

Henry Park’s role as a “gateway” reflects its deep historical significance. During the Chautauqua era, the park was the first site visitors encountered when arriving in DeFuniak Springs by train. Named in honor of Dr. George P. Henry, the city’s first mayor, the park has long served as a welcoming landmark. The recent improvements restore that legacy, reconnecting the community to its past while supporting future growth.

For more information about this TDT-funded project, please contact Beach Operations at (850) 267-4578. For information about Walton County Tourism projects and activities, please visit WCFLTourism.com. Visit AuthenticWalton.com to learn more about north Walton County’s welcoming communities filled with historic treasures and pastoral landscapes.