Introduction

The Leisure Services Department maintains two major complexes and several other facilities in Callaway.  The department's goal is to provide the public with the best facilities in the Florida Panhandle.  To meet this goal, we use three criteria:

• All facilities must be safe for use.

• Facilities must be functional and athletic fields playable.

• All facilities and grounds must have a professionally maintained appearance.

John B. Gore Park

Adjacent to the old Callaway ball fields, Gore Park boasts several diverse features.  The most used part of the park is the boat ramp.  Equipped with two floating docks, the ramp allows access to East Bay via Callaway Bayou.  Near the boat ramp is the Callaway Community Center, which is used primarily for meetings and social gatherings.  There are also picnic tables and tennis courts on the grounds.  Information about Community center rental can be obtained at City Hall.

For those who an interest in history, Gore Park is also home to the "One Room Schoolhouse" and Ellie Fox Memorial Museum.  The schoolhouse was in operation from 1911 until 1936.  A good portion of Callaway's history revolves around the debate over the location of the schoolhouse.  The Ellie Fox Memorial Museum is small but contains many interesting articles from bygone eras.  Both the museum and the school house are maintained by the Callaway Historical Society.

Brittany Woods / Patterson Park / Collinfurst Park

Brittany Woods, just off Seventh Street; Patterson Park, On Beulah; and Collinfurst, on Collinfurst Court near Yellow Bluff are all conveniently located for City residents.  Brittany Woods and Collinfurst have ponds, and walking tracks.  Patterson Park pictured below is located on the beautiful Callaway Bayou.  All of these facilities have picnic areas. 

The Callaway Sports Complex / Arts & Conference Center:  DIRECTIONS.  MAP

The Callaway Sports Complex, located just off State Highway 22, officially opened on March 17, 2001.  Presently, the complex has five multi-use fields for softball and baseball as well as a large concession stand at the center.  The concession stand is equipped to provide a full food menu to include chicken, ribs, hamburgers, French fries, pizza, and much more.  The baseball/softball fields are just the first phase.  In the summer of 2001, construction will begin on two soccer fields and a football field.  After these fields are completed, the next major addition will be a community recreation area.  This will include a playground, a walking track and picnic area near a pond.

Although the fields are adaptable for use by adult centered programs, the complex is presently used primarily to support youth programs.  Currently, the complex is home to Callaway Dixie Youth Baseball League, the Eastside Youth Softball League, the Everitt Middle School Lady Eagles fast pitch team and the Panama City Diamonds girls fast pitch tournament team.