By GARETT VALCOURT
City leaders, state officials, community partners, and residents gathered downtown on Monday December 1, to celebrate the long-awaited ribbon cutting of Bonifay’s new Resilient Stormwater Park. The project city officials say will strengthen flood protection, enhance water quality, and bring new life to the heart of town.
What began as a rendering is now a fully realized public space designed to serve both critical infrastructure needs and everyday community enjoyment. The multi-purpose park, located in the historic downtown district, is part of the city’s broader efforts to better manage stormwater during heavy rains and reduce the risk of localized flooding.
“This project strengthens our ability to withstand heavy rainfall and flooding, improves water quality, and enhances the beauty and resilience of our downtown area,” the City of Bonifay shared in a release following the ceremony.
While engineered to serve as a major component of the city’s stormwater system, the new park is also designed to be a welcoming public space. The area features open sightlines, walking paths, and newly installed benches generously donated by Waukesha Way and an anonymous contributor offering residents a quiet place to relax, gather with friends, and enjoy the refreshed downtown landscape.
City officials highlighted the park’s role in blending resilience with recreation, transforming a necessary infrastructure investment into a space that benefits families, visitors, and local businesses alike.
The project was made possible through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Resilient Florida program, which provides funding statewide to help communities prepare for the impacts of flooding and sea level rise. Additional support came from the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Representative Shane Abbott, Senator Jay Trumbull, DHM Melvin Engineering, the Bonifay City Council, Waukesha Way, and numerous partners who assisted throughout planning and construction.
City leaders emphasized that the park stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between agencies, engineers, elected officials, and community advocates.
“We are grateful for the hard work poured into this project from start to finish,” the city stated. “Most importantly, thank you to our community. Your support and belief in Bonifay’s future drive everything we do.”
With the ribbon now cut and the park officially open, Bonifay celebrates not just a completed project, but a milestone in its long-term vision of resilience and revitalization.
“Today’s celebration marks another step toward a stronger, more resilient Bonifay for our residents today and for generations to come,” the release noted.
The city says this new space will continue to evolve as part of its growing commitment to strengthening infrastructure, supporting economic vitality, and ensuring downtown remains a place where residents can gather, unwind, and feel proud of the community they call home.
Staff Report 