'This is my home, my community': Panama City Beach names new parks and recreation director

Nathan Cobb, The News Herald
·2 min read

PANAMA CITY BEACH — A new but familiar face will now oversee outdoor activities on the Beach.

On Thursday morning, Cheryl Joyner officially stepped into her new position as parks and recreation director of Panama City Beach, securing the job with about 16 years of experience working for the city.

"I've lived here my whole life," Joyner said. "This is my home, my community ... and I just want to provide the best facilities for recreation for our community and our visitors."

Cheryl Joyner, who has worked for Panama City Beach for about 16 years, officially stepped into her new role Thursday as the city's parks and recreation director.
Cheryl Joyner, who has worked for Panama City Beach for about 16 years, officially stepped into her new role Thursday as the city's parks and recreation director.

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With her new position, Joyner will earn an annual salary of about $100,000, which is about $30,000 more than her previous position as assistant parks and recreation director.

Joyner, who noted she earned only about $8 an hour when she began her career with the city, has worked as interim director of the department since June.

Some parks and recreation changes Joyner said she is most excited to oversee include shifting PCB Summer Concert Series performances from Tuesday night to Thursday night, upgrading the Frank Brown Park Aquatic Center and possibly launching movie nights at Aaron Bessant Park.

"I just really am interested in a lot of community engagement," she said. "The city has lots of exciting things coming up."

There are numerous parks in Panama City Beach that Joyner will directly oversee, the largest of which is Frank Brown Park.

According to the city's website, Frank Brown boasts nine softball and baseball fields, a T-ball field, soccer fields, tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, shuffleboard courts, an indoor gymnasium, indoor classroom, playgrounds and pavilions.

There also is a freshwater youth fishing pond, fenced in dog parks, aquatic center, 22- acre festival site and about 1.5 miles of trails.

A dozen sporting events already are scheduled at the park for the rest of 2022. They are:

  • World Series League Softball tournament from Sept. 8-11.

  • World Series League Softball tournament from Sept. 15-28.

  • World Series League Softball tournament from Sept. 23-25.

  • United States Fastpitch Association softball tournament from Sept. 24-25.

  • United States Specialty Sports Association softball tournament from from Oct. 8-9.

  • Travel Ball USA baseball tournament from Oct. 15-16.

  • Softball Players Association tournament from Oct. 29-30.

  • Super Draft tournament from Nov. 3-6.

  • World Sports League Softball tournament from Nov. 11-13.

  • United States Fastpitch Association softball tournament from Nov. 19-20.

  • United States Fastpitch Association softball tournament from Dec. 17-18.

  • Game Day USA softball tournament from Dec. 26-29.

"Parks and recreation is vital," Joyner said. "It's important for the community to have (safe places) for active recreation. ... It's a valuable force for our kids and also our adults, seniors and visitors too."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Cheryl Joyner named parks and recreation director of Panama City Beach