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Wildfire at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

A large brush fire is raging at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. As of 3:55 p.m.  South Walton Fire District, the State Park and the Division of Forestry are working on containing the fire. The fire is approximately 100 acres, and according to SWFD Deputy Chief, Sean Hughes, should be contained soon. At approximately 1:45pm today the SWFD received a call of a tree on fire in the vicinity of the Hwy. 98 and CR 30A intersection. It is believed...

Morrison Springs renovation complete

Popular park reopens PONCE DE LEON – A newly renovated Morrison Springs is now open to the public. The 161-acre park is well known in the area, and popular with divers and nature enthusiasts across the south. The project started in 2007 and includes a new separate boat launch area and parking. This separate launching area provides a safer environment for divers and boaters. There is approximately 575 linear ft. of boardwalks meandering through the ancient cypress trees, and span...

A journey to the Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve

A fun and peculiar adventure not to be missed Up in the Northern part of Walton County sits an extraordinary and interesting place called the Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve. What a great morning I had off the beaten path, exploring living things, rusted things, and eco-friendly methods of laying the deceased to rest. Where else can you find a bamboo farm, Rustaphorian sculptures, a chufa farmer and a green burial ground? John Wilkerson, along with his brother Bill and John’s...

In search of the elusive beach mouse

FWC and DEP partner to study beach mice population The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the State Park division of the Department of Environmental Protection have teamed up to study beach mouse population at the state parks in Walton County. Patrick Hartsfield, Park Service Specialist at Grayton Beach State Park, along with Dan Greene, Wildlife Biologist with FWC, have been working together to monitor the mouse population at Grayton Beach State Park and Deer Lake State Park. Specially...

Spring boasts flowers and improvements at Eden Gardens State Park

Activity fills the park on the first day of spring One of the most beautiful parks in Walton County sits along Tucker Bayou in Point Washington in South Walton County. Large moss covered live oaks, gardens, walking trails and panoramic views of the bayou provide a visual delight for the visitor to this historic Florida State Park. On the first day of spring, the park is full of colorful azaleas in bloom. Bees are buzzing, the water fountains trickling and...

New waterfront park opens in Freeport

Boat launch and parking available on 4 Mile Creek A new park has opened on Four Mile Creek in Freeport. Known by the locals as ‘The Point,’ the park now boasts more than 20 parking spaces and several boat slips. In addition, there are restroom facilities and walkways that wrap around the waterfront. “This park has been 18 years in the works,” said Mickey Marse, mayor of Freeport. In addition, a custom-designed longer slip that runs parallel to the creek...