Challenge
Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach faced long-standing drainage and stormwater management challenges that limited its usability and constrained the City’s plans for future improvements. Standing water after routine rainfall made several areas of the park difficult to maintain and enjoy, while the existing stormwater system lacked the capacity and coordination needed to adequately convey and store runoff from the 121.4-acre contributing basin.
Compounding these issues, the City did not have an up-to-date hydraulic model or GIS database of the stormwater network. Without these tools, it was difficult to quantify system performance, identify bottlenecks, or prioritize improvements with confidence. Additional challenges included:
- Aging or undersized conveyance infrastructure
- Limited documentation of existing conditions
- The need for a phased, fiscally responsible implementation strategy
- Coordination with regulatory agencies to support both near-term improvements and long-term park development
The City required a sustainable, data-driven stormwater plan that could reduce nuisance flooding, enhance public safety and usability, and provide a resilient foundation for future upgrades to the park’s recreational facilities.
Solution
HR Green developed a comprehensive, phased stormwater improvement strategy built on new, accurate, and City-owned data resources. The project began with the creation of a current hydraulic model and a GIS-based stormwater system inventory, filling the longstanding information gap that had previously limited effective planning. These tools allowed the team to evaluate performance during a range of design storm events and pinpoint deficiencies contributing to ponding and insufficient drainage. Key components of the solution included:
Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling
- Developed a full-system stormwater model using updated survey, basin characteristics, and available record drawings
- Simulated multiple rainfall events to assess conveyance capacity, storage limitations, and system responsiveness
- Identified critical improvements needed to reduce standing water and improve stormwater flow paths
Technical Assessments
- Conducted geotechnical evaluations to understand soil conditions, infiltration potential, and constructability considerations
- Performed ecological reviews to make certain that recommendations aligned with environmental requirements and resource protection
Engineering Design and Phased Implementation
The project was structured into three actionable phases, allowing the City to implement improvements incrementally while maximizing budget efficiency. This approach supported:
- Prioritization of the most urgent drainage needs
- Flexibility to align improvements with future park enhancement projects
- Clear sequencing to minimize disruption to park operations
Regulatory Coordination
All recommended improvements were located within City-owned property, streamlining the design process. HR Green provided guidance on permitting pathways and coordinated with regulatory agencies to help the City navigate environmental, stormwater, and land-use requirements.
Together, these strategies established a technically sound and forward-looking plan that supports both immediate drainage relief and long-term park revitalization.
Benefit
The Frank Brown Park Sitewide Stormwater Design project delivers a sustainable, functional, and resilient stormwater system that enhances the park’s usability today while preparing it for future growth. The City of Panama City Beach can now reduce standing water and improve safety across key recreational areas; support future park facilities and expansion by addressing foundational drainage needs; implement improvements efficiently through a phased, cost-effective approach; maximize return on investment by aligning stormwater upgrades with long-range development goals; and strengthen environmental stewardship through targeted solutions informed by ecological and geotechnical assessments.
By solving persistent drainage issues and equipping the City with modern planning tools, this project provides a resilient stormwater framework that enhances the experience for residents, athletes, and visitors.
