the communities

Another part of the City’s revitalization includes all new, redesigned city facilities. In addition, construction is underway to replace several community buildings, which consists of a new media center/library, city hall, police department and chambers, preservation of a portion of old city hall, remodeling of public works and fire station No. 1, the animal shelter and the new facilities maintenance building. Some facilities have already received a facelift, such as the Garden Club, Senior Activity Club, Cain Griffin Park Ballfields, the Leon Miller Splash Pad, A.L. Kinsaul Bark Park, and Leslie Porter Park through the RESTORE Grant.

All in all, the Lynn Haven community continues to grow while leaving a positive impression on its visitors and residents every day.

Callaway

POPULATION: 13,045

CHARTERED: 1963

SQUARE MILES: APPROX. 12

CALLAWAY, FL 32404

TELEPHONE: 850.871.6000

WWW.CITYOFCALLAWAY.COM

Callaway’s pristine waterways, residential and recreational areas and the Arts and Conference Center help make it a diverse community. There are many parks with something available for everyone. Some of the park amenities offered include: Veterans Park with a walking path, picnic area, playground and pet friendly; John B. Gore Park provides a boat ramp, floating docks, a Community Center with a meeting room and small kitchen, an outdoor picnic area conveniently located next to three sports fields, a playground, historic school house, museum, walking track, two regulation sand volleyball courts, tennis court also striped for pickleball and a basketball court with a new all-inclusive Bankshot Play Court for all ages; Brittany Woods has a walking track, playground and is the future home to the Callaway Dog Park; Patterson and Collinfurst Parks both have beautiful and serene water views with picnic areas. The Arts and Conference Center, located at the Recreation Complex, features an auditorium, meeting rooms and a caterer’s kitchen, which are available for special events. Also located at the Recreational Complex are seven ball fields, six soccer fields, a fully stocked community fishing pond, a mile-long walking trail with exercise equipment and two playgrounds.

The commercial districts in Callaway offer many services and amenities to citizens and visitors, including many financial services, dining opportunities at the many local diverse restaurants, lodging at its hotels, as well as other new commercial entities. Callaway Elementary School is located within the city limits, and Rutherford High School is in close proximity to the City.

Callaway’s City Commission strives to protect the delicate balance between property rights and property values. It has approved legislative requirements, which ensure quality growth within the City of Callaway. Public transportation is available through Bayway, which traverses the entire county. Callaway has a Historical Society, home to the City’s historical artifacts in a museum located next to the “Old School House” which has been designated as a Florida Heritage Site. Both are located inside John B. Gore Park.

Parker

POPULATION: 4,545

CHARTERED: 1967

SQUARE MILES: 2

CITY OF PARKER

1001 WEST PARK STREET

PANAMA CITY, FL 32404 CITY HALL: 850.871.4104

PARKER POLICE DEPT.: 850.871.4100

WWW.CITYOFPARKER.COM

The beautiful and quiet City of Parker, known for its gorgeous sunsets, overlooks East Bay and St. Andrew’s Bay. Parker is an incorporated municipality with a five-member city council including an elected mayor. Its landscape has changed dramatically due to Hurricane Michael. Many of the hundred year-old oaks the city is known for are gone, yet there are plans to eventually replant the right kind of trees, ones that will better survive future storms. Although many citizens temporarily moved away, the storm left a blank slate for restoring our parks, homes and businesses to make the community even better. A post-storm community of 4,000 citizens, Parker is nestled between the bays and Martin Lake. Although the City only comprises 2 square miles of land, residents and visitors enjoy 12 miles of shoreline. Its southern boundary is coastal and borders Tyndall Air Force Base. Parker is a neighborhood community with a large sports complex that will be rebuilt, a unique environmental/educational park, two waterfront parks with boat launches and has its own fire/EMS and police departments.

Founded as a community in the early 1800’s, the City of Parker celebrated its 50th anniversary as a municipality in 2017. Parker is rich with history, being the earliest settled area in the County. If you are looking for a place to fish, water ski or just relax, this is the place. If you love to shop, there are many area stores within driving distance for your convenience. Parker is a great place to come home to!

Springfield

POPULATION: 8,431

CHARTERED: 1935

SQUARE MILES: 5.06

Mexico Beach

POPULATION: 1,000

CHARTERED: 1967

SQUARE MILES: 3.5

CITY OF SPRINGFIELD

3529 E. 3RD STREET

PANAMA CITY, FL 32401

CITY HALL: 850.872.7570

SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPT.: 850.769.7545

WWW.SPRINGFIELD.ORG

Springfield is a thriving, mainly residential, city with two beautiful walking parks, boat ramp access to Martin Lake, a playground, a sports complex with two baseball fields and a soccer field. Located at Springfield Gardens Park, the City is home to the first Fitness Court Studio in Florida, the World’s Best Outdoor Gym. Springfield also has plans to add five new parks: Neighborhood Park, the Douglas Road Dog Park, The Nature Park, The Cherry Street Linear Park, and the 11-Mile Loop Park.

The City has its own full-time Public Works Department for servicing its roads, parks, and utilities along with a community oriented, full-time Police Department and Fire Department. With all the new growth in the City and throughout the county, Springfield is in the architectural phase of planning for a new City complex to centrally locate all the City’s services in one location for its residents. Springfield also has plans to build a new Civic Center for its residents next to the Henry Brooks Walking Park. Additionally, the City of Springfield has five medical facilities, a state veterans’ home and an accredited high school: Rutherford High School (home of the Rutherford Rams). The City is located within 4 miles of Tyndall Air Force Base, the Base of the Future. Over the years, Springfield has maintained its small-town appeal and is a great place to live. Springfield’s leadership is proud of the friendly atmosphere and quality of life and feels confident as you get to know it better, you will share the same opinion. Welcome to Springfield… “Dedicated People Working Together”.

CITY OF MEXICO BEACH

201 PARADISE PATH

MEXICO BEACH, FL 32456

TELEPHONE: 850.648.5700

WWW.MEXICOBEACHGOV.COM

As Bay County’s smallest city, Mexico Beach is less than five miles long, but don’t let that overshadow the abundance of life in this Gulf front city. A unique beach destination, Mexico Beach provides adventure tailored towards an easy-going vibe for residents and visitors year-round. Thanks to its proximity to the beautiful, emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, its sugar white sands, abundant fishing opportunities, and quiet, non-commercialized setting, the community is a natural pick as a vacation destination for families looking for a getaway to a more traditional, less busy destination. Many families choose to relocate to this area to enjoy the warm, sunny days of Florida’s “Unforgettable Coast,” where the Southern hospitality is as authentic as the Old Florida charm.

The City’s beautiful, pristine beaches are some of the safest in the area due to the lack of rip currents, which are prevented by a sandbar that parallels the beach, adding to its attractiveness for those who like water activities. In addition to the beautiful public beaches, the City offers a public boat ramp situated along the canal allowing boaters direct access to some of the best fishing locations in the Gulf of Mexico. The City marina offers boaters enhanced walkways and boat slips available for both short- and long- term periods.

U.S. Highway 98, which runs parallel to the Gulf of Mexico, boasts zero traffic lights and a scenic, unobstructed view of the beaches. While much of Mexico Beach continues to convey a predominant spirit echoing a setting from Old Florida, new transformations are taking place. Whether you are planning your next vacation or relocation, come discover all that Mexico Beach has to offer.