George Core Park

Dedicated in May 2011, this downtown bayfront park extends from the sandy shoreline of St. Joe Bay to Miss Zola's Drive. Shaded on the east and west by stately pines, and anchored by the Cape San Blas Lighthouse and it's three related buildings, a beautiful small lake and event stage, the George Core Park has become the ideal venue for a number of Port St. Joe's festivals and other special events.

The calm, shallow bay waters and natural sea bed extends for hundreds of feet into the bay at the park's west end, offering an excellent spot for adults and children to play, fish, or just cool off on a hot afternoon. The park also offers a bayside covered picnic table where visitors can enjoy a refreshing lunch in the shade. Bay Walk Trail winds its way through the park, connecting north to Jetty Park and south through Maddox Park to end at the ever-popular boat ramp located at Frank Pate Park.



George Y. Core was born in Apalachicola on February 12, 1917, the son of A.A. "Buddy" Core and Susanne Rosabelle Pope Core. He was graduated from Chapman High School in 1935 and moved to Port St. Joe in 1937, which was then a booming small town.

George worked with the St. Joe Paper Company in the accounting and personnel departments until December, 1942, when he joined the Army. He served in the 206th AAA Battalion, which was part of an amphibious assault group that saw service in Saipan and was part of the forces poised to invade Japan when the war ended. After the war, Mr. Core returned to Port St. Joe.

In November, 1948, he was appointed to the unexpired term of Mr. Joe Hunter, Clerk of the Circuit Court, which was then located in Wewahitchka. Six months after moving to Wewahitchka, he knew every family in town. George lived in Wewahitchka for 17 years until the county seat was moved to Port St. Joe.

Mr. Core retired as Clerk of the Circuit Court on January 1, 1980, and remained a resident of Port St. Joe for the rest of his life. George loved the outdoors and was an outstanding fisherman and expert turkey hunter. He was a member of the Rotary Club and the First United Methodist Church. Above all, he loved people and was known as "Uncle George" to many of the residents of Gulf County.

Follow the links below for photos of each park and trail in the system.
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