BEACH OPERATIONS

COVID-19 Response
As our community joins forces in taking precautions related to COVID-19, the Beach Operations team is committed to minimizing the impacts on both staff and the public during this time of uncertainty.

Walton County Commissioners recently passed a resolution to re-open South Walton beaches on May 1st, with strict restrictions and in response, the Beach Maintenance crews have worked collaboratively with county entities increase disinfecting efforts in all regional bay and beach bathhouses. All bathhouse facilities are currently open at all regional beach accesses.

Part of South Walton's ongoing efforts included placing signs at each beach access point providing information related to social distancing measures. These signs were also made available for the lifeguard stands to help people know to keep a safe and considerate social distance from our lifeguards.

 

Beach Access Updates: 

Starting in November 2019, staff began renovations on nine beach access points, including the replacement of decking and railing, the addition of bike racks, or a complete rebuild, if necessary. Five of the beach accesses were located in the Seagrove Beach neighborhood and the four regional beach accesses were located throughout South Walton.

All nine accesses, including 395 NBA, Live Oak NBA, Hickory Lane NBA, Dogwood NBA, Fort Panic RBA, Gulfview Heights RBA, Inlet Beach RBA and Ed Walline RBA, have all reached substantial completion.

*Substantial means contractor has reached 90% with construction activities. Some minor items/activities remain and will be completed prior to end of construction duration.

 

Capital Improvement Updates

Per the Walton County BCC, staff was given direction to develop capital improvement plans and schedule public workshops for the four purchased properties, including:

• The Driftwood Road parking project is on a 1.119-acre parcel located at 76 Driftwood Road in Miramar Beach.
• The County Road 393 parcel is 2.3-acres and located north of Gulf Place Town Center on the west side of County Road 393.
• The County Road 283 parcel, also referred to as “Grayton Grand” parking project, is 6.995-acres and located on the eastern portion of County Road 283 South, across from the Shoppes at Grayton. This property has been leveled and improved with more than 300 designated parking spots currently used by visitors to Grayton Beach, employees and patrons, as well as shuttle location for Seaside and other nearly businesses. 
• The Eastern Lake Road parking project consists of two neighboring parcels, located at 392 and 406 Eastern Lake Road in the Seagrove neighborhood. 392 Eastern Lake Road, .215-acres, is located just south of Williams Street on Eastern Lake Road. 406 Eastern Lake Road, a .278-acre parcel, is located just next door (east) of 392 Eastern Lake Road.

Currently, all public workshops for these proposed parking projects have been postponed and updates will be provided at a later date.

 

Managed Vendor Program:

In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, the Walton County commissioners have suspended vending on the beach in South Walton. However, once vending is permitted for our area, we are excited to begin the 2020 Managed Vendor Program season. Earlier this year, the Walton Co. BCC voted to expand the program to all regional beach accesses within Walton County. In 2019, the pilot program began at the Ed Walline RBA, Inlet Beach RBA and Grayton Beach NBA.

Expansion of the program was based off feedback from community members, partners and staff. Continued expansion of the program to neighborhood beach access points will be considered in the future. 

Program Overview
The Managed Vendor Program, overseen by the South Walton Beach Service Association, is now in effect at all regional beach access points, as well as the Grayton Beach Neighborhood Beach Access. So far, this program has drastically reduced the amount of “ghost chairs” and has been well received by the public. With multiple participating vendors, the program has proven to be effective. As mentioned above, discussion to expand the program into neighborhood access will be considered as the program progresses.

So how does this new program work? Beach Vendors all have equal opportunity to participate in the managed vendor program. They have to be a permitted vendor in Walton County; sign the Association’s Agreement; drop off/pick up equipment as needed or store their equipment in the association’s storage boxes on the beach; are not allowed to set up/tear down equipment on their own; and pay a fee based on how many beach sets rented out.

A beach attendant, who is on site daily, works directly with guests to set up their beach equipment, whether it be chairs, or an umbrella. When the guest is done with their equipment, the attendant removes the equipment from the beach. This will alleviate the issue of "ghost sets" or empty chairs on the beach.

The program regulates Walton County beach vendors for beach chairs/umbrellas. The program does not regulate or have any association to Special Event Permits/vendors, (including photographers, officiants), sandcastle lesson vendors, bonfire vendors or the like.

For more information about the program, contact Phillip Poundstone at info@swbsa.org or call (850) 832-8715.

CONTACT US

Visit South Walton 25777 US Hwy 331 S | Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 VisitSouthWalton.com | (850) 267-1216