A ribbon cutting marks new life for a storied gathering place—and the first capital project funded by North Walton’s Tourist Development Tax.

In the heart of DeFuniak Springs, where the curve of Circle Drive bends gently through time, Henry Park is ready to be welcomed anew.
On Thursday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m., Walton County leaders will gather beneath the park’s familiar canopy for a ribbon cutting that marks more than fresh improvements to a historic space. It signals a renewed investment in North Walton County’s story—one rooted in hospitality, music, and the steady belief that places matter.

Hosted by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners alongside the Beach Operations and Tourism departments, the ceremony will include a brief reflection on Henry Park’s past and its thoughtful restoration. The project carries special distinction as the first capital improvement funded by the North Walton Tourist Development Tax, a 3% levy on short-term rental accommodations introduced in March 2021. Paid by visitors rather than residents, the tax was designed to strengthen infrastructure and tourism across North Walton County—and Henry Park now stands as its first tangible legacy.

Named for Dr. George P. Henry, DeFuniak Springs’ first mayor, the park has long served as a threshold between arrival and belonging. In the Chautauqua era, it greeted travelers stepping off the train en route to the Hotel Chautauqua, alive with music, conversation, and the anticipation of summer learning and leisure. Bands once played here to welcome guests from near and far, turning first impressions into lasting memories.

Music, in fact, is woven deeply into the park’s history. Henry Park was a favored backdrop for Pappy Neal McCormick and his band, the Hawaiian Troubadours. McCormick—now recognized as a pioneering force in the spread of steel guitar throughout the Southeast—was both a national influence and a local fixture. A historic photograph of his band performing in the park, preserved by the History of DeFuniak Springs, captures a moment when sound, setting, and community converged.

The improvements celebrated this week also honor the spirit of a more recent champion of Henry Park: Robert Nelson. A devoted community leader known for his plainspoken resolve—“Let’s just get some things done!”—Nelson’s persistence and vision helped carry this project from idea to reality. His legacy now lives on in a park renewed for future generations.

Today, Henry Park remains what it has always been: a place of welcome. With these improvements, it stands ready once more to gather neighbors and visitors alike, quietly reminding us that progress is most meaningful when it respects the stories already written into the land.

For more information about the ceremony or the project, contact Walton County Beach Operations at (850) 267-4578.

Henry Park is located at 1162 Circle Drive DeFuniak Springs, Florida.