Community invited to celebrate reopening of newly upgraded Bud Day Park on Jan. 15
Okaloosa County, Florida – On January 15, 2026, at 2 p.m., Okaloosa County will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the reopening of Brigadier General Bud Day Park in Mary Esther. The ceremony will be held at the park’s address, 185 Woodland Park Circle, after a major restoration that attempted to bring the long-standing neighborhood area back to life and make it look more modern.
County officials say the park was clearly getting old and worn out, so they decided to give it a full refresh to better serve people while also respecting the communities around it. The makeover adds a variety of new and improved features, making the park a more useful and welcoming place for people of all ages to enjoy.
Two new pickleball courts are among the most important new features, showing how popular the sport is becoming throughout the area. A big pavilion has also been built to provide people a place to meet in the shade, and new bathrooms have been added to make things easier for people who use the park. Updated sidewalks now connect important parts of the park, making it easier to get around and improving the general flow.
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People also paid attention to the characteristics that were already there. The basketball court has been redone with new backboards, and the playground has been improved to make it safer and more fun for kids. The project involved putting up new fence and security cameras around the park to make it safer and more secure.
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County Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Trey Goodwin indicated that both need and community feedback led to the upgrades.
“This park suffered the effects of time and was in immense need of improvements,” said Okaloosa County Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Trey Goodwin.
“We worked hard to come up with a plan that would serve the needs of all Okaloosa County residents, but also something that the park’s neighbors would be proud of. I believe we achieved that.”
The park is named after George Everette “Bud” Day, a decorated officer in the United States Air Force who lived in Okaloosa County for a long time. Day fought in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He was shot down in 1967 and spent almost six years as a prisoner of war. He eventually got the Medal of Honor and the Air Force Cross, and after he died, he was promoted to brigadier general. Day worked as a lawyer in Okaloosa County after leaving the service.
County officials want people to come to the reopening and see the park again. They believe it is now better able to serve the community for years to come.
