Captain Royal Melvin Park, aka the Gateway to the Harbor, is the newest park in Destin, Florida. This small sanctuary of nature in the middle of bustling Destin Harbor is ideally situated between Dewey Destin’s on the Harbor and Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer at 206 Harbor Boulevard.
This park project has been in the works for awhile, but Destin visitors and locals are happy to see this old parking lot finally transform to a beautiful pedestrian pathway to the harbor.
Captain Royal Melvin Park features a playground, grassy area, picnic tables and pavilions, benches, water fountains, restrooms and a large elevated deck with stunning harbor views.
One of the most exciting features of the park is the new “Welcome to Destin” sign at the entrance. The previous Destin Welcome Sign is still located at the base of the Destin Marler Bridge, but is no longer accessible for standing underneath and taking pictures, since the area was closed to the public several years ago. So the new sign is a great photo opportunity while you are visiting!
The park is dedicated to Captain Royal Melvin, a notable individual in Destin, Florida’s early days. A prosperous entrepreneur, he had a collection of fishing vessels and was instrumental in founding the region’s fishing business.
As a revered figure in the community, Captain Royal Melvin took on the role of Destin’s inaugural mayor and was involved in many of its initial development endeavors. His devotion to the area’s natural beauty and scenic charm and his dedication to its conservation for upcoming generations is evident in the splendid new park named in his honor.
On July 18 2023, more than 50 individuals gathered for the ribbon-cutting of the park located at 206 Harbor Blvd. The park serves as an entrance to the harbor, featuring broad stairs that descend to the waterfront where Capt. Melvin used to anchor his boat.
Captain Royal Melvin Park is a small but peaceful way to access the Destin Harbor Boardwalk from Highway 98 (Harbor Blvd). The closest public parking lot to the entrance is the City of Destin parking lot on Melvin Street between Highway 98 (Harbor Blvd) and Mountain Drive but there is a $15 daily parking fee there. You can also add it on to a day when you are already visiting Harborwalk Village or the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and walk up from the harbor side of the park.
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Hi, I’m Sarah–the creator, writer and photographer behind this site. I sell prints, books, journals, and calendars all made from my Emerald Coast photography and I also manage a few vacation rentals on beautiful Holiday Isle in Destin if you want me to be your helpful, knowledgeable host when you visit.
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