The public will soon be able to enjoy 340 feet of additional beach access at the newly completed Tarpon Beach Gulf Front Park thanks to a partnership between the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, the City of Destin and the Trust for Public Land. The public is invited to celebrate this achievement with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 15, 2026, at 7:30 am at 3310 Scenic Highway 98.
This new beachfront park provides free parking with 49 standard spaces, three ADA-accessible spaces, 29 low-speed vehicle spaces, bathrooms, four pavilions and breathtaking views of the Gulf waters.
“We are incredibly proud to complete this project with our partners and offer this incredible asset to the public,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “Providing more public beach access has been a priority for both the County and City of Destin. This is another major step forward to deliver a gateway to a quality beach experience for families who reside in the County and for our visitors.”
"This park represents exactly what we hoped to achieve when the City and County committed to expanding beach access for our community," said Larry Jones, City Manager. "Tarpon Beach Gulf Front Park gives Destin residents and visitors a welcoming place to enjoy our beautiful Gulf shoreline for generations to come. We're grateful to our partners at Okaloosa County and the Trust for Public Land for helping us turn this vision into reality."
The Tarpon Beach Gulf Front Park project is a dedicated effort by the City of Destin and Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners to effectively use tourism revenue and expand public beach access for residents and visitors with a total investment of $16.96 million shared between the City and County.
The Trust for Public Land was the lead agency that helped negotiate the purchase of the properties for the Tarpon Beach project.
“The ribbon cutting at Tarpon Beach Gulf Front Park represents the culmination of years of partnership and community commitment to preserving public access to Destin’s iconic shoreline,” said Doug Hattaway, Land Conservation Director for Trust for Public Land. “This park reconnects residents and visitors alike to the Gulf, restores access to Destin's beaches, and celebrates the natural beauty and coastal character that make this community so special for generations to come.”
