Walton County OKs $285K in tourist funds for new Topsail Hill Preserve Visitor Center

Collin Bestor, Northwest Florida Daily News
·1 min read
A virtual rendering of the new visitor's center coming to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Walton County
A virtual rendering of the new visitor's center coming to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Walton County

SANTA ROSA BEACH — On Tuesday, the Walton County Commission approved using $285,000 in tourist development tax funds to build a new visitor center at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.

Here is what you need to know.

Project details

Among the features of the new visitor and nature interpretive center will be an event space that can accommodate up to 100 guests, allowing the community to host events at the park.

A virtual rendering of some of the new educational components coming to the new visitor's center at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.
A virtual rendering of some of the new educational components coming to the new visitor's center at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.

Featured prominently in virtual renderings and an accompanying presentation found in Walton County agenda files, the new visitors center will feature a walk-through exhibit leading to the tram stop displaying five habitat areas and the various types of wildlife found in the park.

A floor plan of the new visitor's center at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park features new bathrooms and an indoor event space that can hold up to 100 guests.
A floor plan of the new visitor's center at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park features new bathrooms and an indoor event space that can hold up to 100 guests.

How will this be funded?

The visitor center is expected to cost $4.15 million, but its primary funding source is a $3.5 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The remainder of the funds were accrued by either project partners or the $285,000 allocation of Walton County TDT funds.

Responding to a question from Walton County Commissioner Danny Glidewell, Florida State Park Foundation CEO Julia Gill Woodward said that Walton County officials would not be asked to pay a recurring cost.

When will this be finished?

The new visitor and education center will hold its groundbreaking in October. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Walton County approves $285K for new visitor center at Topsail Hill