Okaloosa County Celebrates Upgrades and Re-opening of Brigadier General Bud Day Park
Okaloosa County, Florida – Okaloosa County is proud to announce a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly refreshed Brigadier General Bud Day Park in Mary Esther. The ceremony will take place on Jan. 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the park’s location, 185 Woodland Park Circle in Mary Esther, Florida.
The park was completely revamped to include two new pickleball courts, a large pavilion, a restroom, new sidewalks, a refreshed basketball court with new backboards, a playground, security cameras and new fencing.
“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, formerly known as Col. Bud Day Park, is named in honor of George Everette "Bud" Day (24 February 1925 – 27 July 2013), who was a United States Air Force officer, pilot, and veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. Day was shot down by anti-aircraft fire while flying a mission over North Vietnam in 1967. He was captured and kept as a prisoner of war for almost six years. Day shared a cell with Navy Lieutenant Commander and future senator and presidential candidate John McCain. He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross. He was posthumously advanced to the rank of brigadier general. Day was a long-time Okaloosa County resident and practiced law after retiring from the military.
Learn more about Okaloosa County-maintained parks at
https://myokaloosa.com/fpm/parks/list
