DESTIN — The Destin City Council is backing a push to upgrade Threadgill Park’s ballfields while also weighing the purchase of nearby land to ease a long-running parking crunch.
On Aug. 18, council members approved a plan to partner with Destin Little League on nearly $300,000 worth of improvements, including new LED lights and artificial turf on the infields.
Little League treasurer Matt Dahlman told the council the nonprofit has pledged up to $100,000 of privately raised money and secured a vendor donation of about $60,000 in lighting fixtures. The city would be asked to cover the remaining costs.
“Eight years ago, we were operating at a money-in, money-out, sometimes more money out than money in,” Dahlman said. “We made a conscious effort to go after city leaders and businesses to help support our league, and we were able, in partnership with the city, to build those beautiful batting cages at Threadgill Park. That was a very important partnership.”
The donated lights would cost about $22,000 to install, while turfing the infields carries a price tag of $229,000 to $300,000. Dahlman said the change would cut down on rainouts.
“Thirty minutes of rain and we can’t play,” Dahlman said. “Turfing infields is the way people are doing it now.”
Councilmember Jim Bagby said he was comfortable helping with the lights but argued turf was “a want, not a need.” His substitute motion to fund only the lighting failed, with Mayor Bobby Wagner and others urging the city to pursue state recreation grants that could cover much of the cost.
Councilmember Sandy Trammell warned the park’s drainage issues must be addressed before turf is installed, while Councilmember Torey Geile raised liability concerns and asked staff to verify safety standards.
Councilmember Teresa Hebert supported moving forward on both projects.
Finance Director Krystal Strickland noted the city already has $334,000 budgeted in 2027 to replace lights at the park and said those funds could help offset the upgrade.
To strengthen the city’s case for state funding, Wagner proposed sending the project to the Parks and Recreation Committee for review. He confirmed the infield turfing is already on the city’s five-year capital plan and suggested pursuing a cooperative agreement with Destin Little League to share costs at no less than a 50-50 split.
The motion that passed directs staff to move forward with both turf and lighting, seek a grant through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, and review safety and stormwater needs.
Councilmember Kevin Schmidt, who also serves as president of Destin Little League, abstained from voting to avoid any appearance of conflict.
The motion passed 5-0, with Councilmember Dewey Destin absent from Monday’s meeting.
In a separate discussion, Schmidt introduced a proposal to buy property at 446 Calhoun Avenue, which borders Threadgill Park and could be converted into parking.
“Before they listed it, they did reach out and asked if the city would be interested in this parcel, because they know of the direct relation and border to our city park,” Schmidt said. “Ultimately, additional parking for that park would be a huge benefit.”
The property likely contains wetlands and may require drainage work. Schmidt said the city’s parking fund, which Bagby noted holds more than $2 million, could cover the purchase. He added that the parcel currently has a tenant, meaning the city could collect rent while plans move forward.
Wagner also suggested reviewing a nearby easement on Hickory Street to avoid wetland issues, potentially. Schmidt agreed to add the idea to his motion.
Trammell questioned how wetlands would affect the property’s value.
“Wouldn’t that affect the amount that the attorney and city manager negotiated for if it’s 80 percent wetlands versus 10 percent?” she asked.
Bagby said an appraisal would account for such conditions and stressed that any purchase agreement would come back to the council.
Geile noted the city could offset wetland impacts by designating other unused parcels as conservation areas.
City Attorney Kimberly Kopp said staff, the city manager, and legal counsel would coordinate during negotiations.
“Even if we did come up with an agreement, it’s coming back to council,” she said.
The council took no vote on the purchase. Staff is expected to return with an appraisal, cost estimates, and environmental findings before a decision is made.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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