Fort Walton Beach prepares for a six-month shutdown at Liza Jackson Park boat launch
Fort Walton Beach, Florida – For boaters who rely on Liza Jackson Park, the first Monday in August will bring a major change. The west side of the popular Fort Walton Beach park is preparing to go quiet for months.
Beginning Aug. 3, 2026, that section of the park, including its boat launch, is expected to close for a $3.1 million renovation designed to reshape parking, drainage and waterfront access.
The project will add a new 832-square-foot restroom building, redesigned parking areas for regular vehicles and boat trailers, new sidewalks and stormwater improvements. Crews will also rebuild the boat launch area, one of the most heavily affected parts of the upcoming work.
H&T Contractors LLC of Freeport was awarded the construction bid. The renovation is expected to take approximately six months, meaning the closure could continue through the winter if work remains on schedule.
Funding will come from several public sources. The Fort Walton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and the city’s Infrastructure Surtax fund will help pay for the improvements. Okaloosa County is contributing another $1 million through its Tourist Development Tax fund, accounting for nearly one-third of the project’s total cost.
The extended closure will require boaters to use other launch points across southern Okaloosa County. The Cinco Bayou Boat Ramp at 264 Seaway in Fort Walton Beach remains open, although boat-trailer parking there is limited.
Other available locations include the Water Street Boat Ramp at 99 Water Street in Fort Walton Beach and the Marler Park Boat Ramp at 1275 Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island.
Boaters may also use the Mary Esther City Pier and Boat Ramp at 28 Misty Water Lane, Meigs Park Boat Ramp at 45 Meigs Drive in Shalimar, or Walkedge Boat Ramp at 201 Walkedge Drive SE in Fort Walton Beach.
Another option is the Ricky Street Boat Ramp, located at the corner of Harris Road and Rickey Avenue in Fort Walton Beach.
For much of the second half of 2026, visitors approaching Liza Jackson Park from the west will encounter construction rather than an open launch. The disruption will be substantial, particularly for residents accustomed to putting boats into the water there.
Once completed, however, the project is expected to leave the park with a redesigned launch area, more organized vehicle and trailer parking, improved pedestrian access and upgraded facilities built to serve visitors well beyond the six-month construction period.
