The enhancement project at Comander’s Landing on the Choctawhatchee River is now complete. Enhancements at the popular Ponce DeLeon location included a handicap canoe/kayak launch, kayak/canoe stations, boardwalk, overnight screened in shelter, restroom (raised portlet), and an educational kiosk site (not yet installed).
The landing is one of the regional stopping points for the Choctawhatchee Blueway Paddle Trail in Walton County. Much of the funding for the project came from grants.
The construction of the site was funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund through the US Department of Interior, the National Park Service, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Walton County Preservation Fund.
The Choctawhatchee Paddle Trail is a multi-county effort between Walton, Washington, and Holmes counties. The Choctawhatchee River between SR 2 and SR 20 was designated as a Blueway Trail in 2016. The improvements and other stopping points are geared for paddlers and offer resting spots along the trail. The entire Blueway is approximately 60 miles in length and includes multiple public access points as well.
History of the project:
Choctawhatchee River Paddle Trail background
Walton County collaborated with Holmes and Washington County in 2016 to designate a portion of the Choctawhatchee River as a Florida Blueway trail. The approximately 60-mile trail begins at East Pittman Creek Boat Ramp on SR 2 and ends at Cowford Landing near SR 20. There are multiple public access sites along the trail managed by several governmental agencies including Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and local counties.
Comander’s Landing background
On November 20, 2017, Walton County BCC approved staff to apply for a Florida Dept. of Environment Protection (FDEP) Recreational Trails Program grant for the Choctawhatchee Paddle Trail: Commanders Landing project. This authorization allowed for the use of Preservation Funds to act as a match for the grant proposal.
In May 14, 2019, Walton County BCC accepted the Recreational Trails Program grant agreement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the River Road Commanders Landing project.
FUNDING:
RTP Grant: $116,610.00
Grant Match (Preservation Fund): $29,153.00
Additional Funds Needed (Preservation Fund): $633,439.35
Total: $779,202.35
*Total Funds include $67,950.00 for planning, design, permitting and CEI and $711,252.35 for construction.
Latitude 30.6199457 Longitude -85.91063449
