New enhancements are about to begin at Comander’s Landing on the Choctawhatchee River. On Nov. 9, 2021, The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) awarded $711,252.35 funding to Winterfell Construction, Inc. to complete the project in Ponce deLeon. Enhancements will include a handicap canoe/kayak launch, kayak/canoe stations, boardwalk, overnight shelter, restroom (raised portlet), and an educational kiosk site. There will also be improvements to the parking area. The landing will be one of the regional stopping points for the Choctawhatchee Blueway Paddle Trail in Walton County.
Also at the BCC meeting on Nov. 9, the correct spelling of Comander was acknowledged by the BCC and will be corrected in the County records and new signing. “The historical value of the name change has been corrected and the late Mercer and Aida Comander have been honored and recognized for their contribution to Walton County for a public river facility,” said Walton resident J.B. Hillard.
Download Comander’s Paddle Trail Site Plan
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 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.
On March 23, 2021, Walton County approved to advertise an invitation to bid for the construction of the Commander’s Landing Canoe/Kayak project. The ITB closed on June 21, 2021 and only one bid was received. It substantially exceeded the budget amount for this project.
On July 13, 2021, Walton County BCC approved to reject all the bids associated with ITB 021-020 Commander Landing Boardwalk Improvements due to budget constraints and readvertise ITB. The advertisement closed on October 5, 2021. The County received one bid from Winterfell Construction, Inc. for $711,252.35.
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