Beach Operations is responsible for: beach maintenance and re-nourishment, construction and maintenance of regional beach accesses, neighborhood beach accesses, bay parks, municipal parking facilities and the multi-use trail. It also provides maintenance of U.S. Highway 331 Scenic Corridor, U.S. Highway 98 Scenic Corridor, County Route 30A Scenic Corridor and the Scenic Gulf Drive Corridor.
Walton County Breaks Ground on Seagrove Regional Beach Access
Members of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and the Walton County Beach Operations and Tourism departments gathered to officially break ground on the Seagrove Regional Beach Access located at 3910 E. Co. Hwy. 30A.The project will be the 10th RBA in the county when complete in about 11 months, but the development comes with challenges regarding the water passing through the property. According to the Beach Operations Director Brian Kellenberger, a drainage creek runs directly through the middle of the property draining an approximately 150-acre water basin. "This is an extremely difficult piece of property to develop. Most property that's still available on 30A has that common denominator," said Kellenberger. "[It] took our engineers a lot of doing to figure out – one, how to contain water that we are going to develop on our property, but also how to manage the off-site water that has come onto the property. "The project includes parking with dedicated spaces for standard vehicles, ADA, bicycles, a 1,011-square-foot restroom facility, handicap-accessible dune walkover and connectivity to the multi-use path. "In 2016 when I ran for office, right after I got elected, the board instructed the TDC to start buying as much beachfront property as they could. Again in 2018, Mr. Glidewell joined the board, and he was able to tell them keep buying beach access. Every time we told Brian, his eyes lit up," said District 5 Commissioner Tony Anderson. "He's bought us wonderful properties. The TDC staff has put up a lot of work for this, and with our partners for this job it's going to be a beautiful access." The properties were purchased and will be maintained using Tourist Development Tax, a 5 percent tax collected on short-term rentals in South Walton County. Residents do not pay the bed tax unless they are taking a “staycation” in a local rental property or accommodation. More information about these and other Beach Operations projects is available at waltoncountyfltourism.com/projects. More information about beach and bay accesses is available at visitsouthwalton.com/beach-bay-access-locations.
Walton County officials, along with Beach Operations and Tourism directors, break ground for the Seagrove Regional Beach Access.
Under Construction:
The Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility is located at 1505 S. Co. Hwy. 283 This 1,700 square foot multi-level transit facility will have 204 parking spaces with dedicated ADA, electric car, LSV, and bicycle parking areas, as well as restrooms, public transportation facilities and connectivity to the multi-use path. STATUS: This facility will be constructed in two phases, with the lower lot being completed first, and should be completed by Spring 2025. Limited parking is available while construction is underway.
The 393 Municipal Parking Facility is located at 1668 S. Co. Hwy. 393, approximately ¼ mile from the Ed Walline Regional Beach Access. It will contain 83 parking spaces with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV, bicycles and a 1,300 square foot transit building with a restroom facility. STATUS: The Project is expected to be completed in Fall 2024.
Camp Creek Lake Canoe & Kayak Launch is located at 121 S. Camp Creek Road South just north of 30A. This coastal dune lake access park will include ADA and bicycle parking, landscape, an ADA-accessible pier with canoe/kayak launch, and stormwater systems. Status: STATUS: Construction began in June 2024 and is expected to be complete in January 2025.
The Cessna Landing Park Improvements project is located at 1689 Co. Hwy. 393 N. in Santa Rosa Beach. Plans are to add two additional docks, replace the existing pavilions, and reconfigure/repave existing driveways and parking areas. Additional work will include hardscape, landscape, site utilities, site grading/drainage and stormwater. STATUS: The construction contract has been awarded and is set to begin in September and be completed by the end of January 2025. The park is expected to be closed Oct. 21 - Nov. 28 for resurfacing.
Beach Access Updates:
The Grayton Beach Community Center is located at 44 Hotz Avenue in Grayton Beach. Once completed, the 1,600 square foot building will house a local information station, restrooms, an observation deck, a boardwalk to the beach and access to the Beach Tram. The development order has been received and the project is set to be placed out for bid at the end of August 2024, with bids closing at the end of September. STATUS: Construction is expected to begin Nov. 1, taking approximately 11 months to complete.
Walton Dunes Regional Beach Access is located at 258 Beachfront Trail. Improvements are expected to include 14 parallel ROW parking spaces with dedicated ADA, LSV, and bicycle parking, restrooms and an ADA-accessible boardwalk. STATUS: Currently under appeal with the Zoning Board of Adjustments, the Walton Dunes project is on hold until a final determination of the validity of the development order can be made.
Kellogg Park Nature Center is located at 855 Nursery Rd. in Santa Rosa Beach. This Nature Center will be an 1,800-square-foot assembly-style building for nature watching and community gatherings, with access to the kayak launch. STATUS: The development order has been received and the project being prepared to place out for bid, with construction beginning later this winter.
Headland Street Neighborhood Beach Access is located in the S. Headland Ave. right-of-way and will provide improved pedestrian access with a new sidewalk, boardwalk, dune walkover and connectivity to the multi-use path. STATUS: The development order has been received and the project being prepared to place out for bid. Construction is expected to begin late this winter.
Legion Park Improvement Project, will bring several upgrades to this park located at 119 Crest Dr. Proposed improvements include a splash pad, new playground equipment, two launch piers, additional pickleball courts, resurfacing of the basketball court, construction of shade pavilions and additional parking for cars, trucks and trailers. STATUS: In design phase.
Updates on Other Capital Improvement Projects:
The Walton County Tourism Department continues to take an active approach to improve parking and transportation throughout the county. Here's a look at some projects currently undergoing or preparing for improvements.
The Driftwood Road Municipal Parking project is on a 1.119-acre parcel located at 76 Driftwood Rd. in Miramar Beach. Plans include 67 parking spaces with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV, and bicycles, an air-conditioned public transit stop, and a restroom facility. STATUS: The development order has been received and the project is being prepared to place out for bid later this year.
Miramar Beach Municipal Parking Project is a 4.5-acre parcel in Miramar Beach to be used for a beach-related municipal parking project. STATUS: Task order for master planning has not been issued pending coordination with Public Works engineering efforts.
Walton County Breaks Ground on Seagrove Regional Beach Access
Members of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and the Walton County Beach Operations and Tourism departments gathered to officially break ground on the Seagrove Regional Beach Access located at 3910 E. Co. Hwy. 30A.The project will be the 10th RBA in the county when complete in about 11 months, but the development comes with challenges regarding the water passing through the property. According to the Beach Operations Director Brian Kellenberger, a drainage creek runs directly through the middle of the property draining an approximately 150-acre water basin. "This is an extremely difficult piece of property to develop. Most property that's still available on 30A has that common denominator," said Kellenberger. "[It] took our engineers a lot of doing to figure out – one, how to contain water that we are going to develop on our property, but also how to manage the off-site water that has come onto the property. "The project includes parking with dedicated spaces for standard vehicles, ADA, bicycles, a 1,011-square-foot restroom facility, handicap-accessible dune walkover and connectivity to the multi-use path. "In 2016 when I ran for office, right after I got elected, the board instructed the TDC to start buying as much beachfront property as they could. Again in 2018, Mr. Glidewell joined the board, and he was able to tell them keep buying beach access. Every time we told Brian, his eyes lit up," said District 5 Commissioner Tony Anderson. "He's bought us wonderful properties. The TDC staff has put up a lot of work for this, and with our partners for this job it's going to be a beautiful access." The properties were purchased and will be maintained using Tourist Development Tax, a 5 percent tax collected on short-term rentals in South Walton County. Residents do not pay the bed tax unless they are taking a “staycation” in a local rental property or accommodation. More information about these and other Beach Operations projects is available at waltoncountyfltourism.com/projects. More information about beach and bay accesses is available at visitsouthwalton.com/beach-bay-access-locations.
Walton County officials, along with Beach Operations and Tourism directors, break ground for the Seagrove Regional Beach Access.
Under Construction:
The Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility is located at 1505 S. Co. Hwy. 283 This 1,700 square foot multi-level transit facility will have 204 parking spaces with dedicated ADA, electric car, LSV, and bicycle parking areas, as well as restrooms, public transportation facilities and connectivity to the multi-use path. STATUS: This facility will be constructed in two phases, with the lower lot being completed first, and should be completed by Spring 2025. Limited parking is available while construction is underway.
The 393 Municipal Parking Facility is located at 1668 S. Co. Hwy. 393, approximately ¼ mile from the Ed Walline Regional Beach Access. It will contain 83 parking spaces with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV, bicycles and a 1,300 square foot transit building with a restroom facility. STATUS: The Project is expected to be completed in Fall 2024.
Camp Creek Lake Canoe & Kayak Launch is located at 121 S. Camp Creek Road South just north of 30A. This coastal dune lake access park will include ADA and bicycle parking, landscape, an ADA-accessible pier with canoe/kayak launch, and stormwater systems. Status: STATUS: Construction began in June 2024 and is expected to be complete in January 2025.
The Cessna Landing Park Improvements project is located at 1689 Co. Hwy. 393 N. in Santa Rosa Beach. Plans are to add two additional docks, replace the existing pavilions, and reconfigure/repave existing driveways and parking areas. Additional work will include hardscape, landscape, site utilities, site grading/drainage and stormwater. STATUS: The construction contract has been awarded and is set to begin in September and be completed by the end of January 2025. The park is expected to be closed Oct. 21 - Nov. 28 for resurfacing.
Beach Access Updates:
The Grayton Beach Community Center is located at 44 Hotz Avenue in Grayton Beach. Once completed, the 1,600 square foot building will house a local information station, restrooms, an observation deck, a boardwalk to the beach and access to the Beach Tram. The development order has been received and the project is set to be placed out for bid at the end of August 2024, with bids closing at the end of September. STATUS: Construction is expected to begin Nov. 1, taking approximately 11 months to complete.
Walton Dunes Regional Beach Access is located at 258 Beachfront Trail. Improvements are expected to include 14 parallel ROW parking spaces with dedicated ADA, LSV, and bicycle parking, restrooms and an ADA-accessible boardwalk. STATUS: Currently under appeal with the Zoning Board of Adjustments, the Walton Dunes project is on hold until a final determination of the validity of the development order can be made.
Kellogg Park Nature Center is located at 855 Nursery Rd. in Santa Rosa Beach. This Nature Center will be an 1,800-square-foot assembly-style building for nature watching and community gatherings, with access to the kayak launch. STATUS: The development order has been received and the project being prepared to place out for bid, with construction beginning later this winter.
Headland Street Neighborhood Beach Access is located in the S. Headland Ave. right-of-way and will provide improved pedestrian access with a new sidewalk, boardwalk, dune walkover and connectivity to the multi-use path. STATUS: The development order has been received and the project being prepared to place out for bid. Construction is expected to begin late this winter.
Legion Park Improvement Project, will bring several upgrades to this park located at 119 Crest Dr. Proposed improvements include a splash pad, new playground equipment, two launch piers, additional pickleball courts, resurfacing of the basketball court, construction of shade pavilions and additional parking for cars, trucks and trailers. STATUS: In design phase.
Updates on Other Capital Improvement Projects:
The Walton County Tourism Department continues to take an active approach to improve parking and transportation throughout the county. Here's a look at some projects currently undergoing or preparing for improvements.
The Driftwood Road Municipal Parking project is on a 1.119-acre parcel located at 76 Driftwood Rd. in Miramar Beach. Plans include 67 parking spaces with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV, and bicycles, an air-conditioned public transit stop, and a restroom facility. STATUS: The development order has been received and the project is being prepared to place out for bid later this year.
Miramar Beach Municipal Parking Project is a 4.5-acre parcel in Miramar Beach to be used for a beach-related municipal parking project. STATUS: Task order for master planning has not been issued pending coordination with Public Works engineering efforts.