BEACH OPERATIONS

Beach Access Updates:

Seagrove RBA, Plans and permitting are complete and the project has been advertised for bid. This project includes a 1,011 square foot restroom facility, 23 parking spaces, bicycle parking, a handicap-accessible dune walkover, and connectivity to the multi-use path. Construction is expected to begin March 2024 and last approximately 10 months.

 
 

The Grayton Beach Community Center is located at 44 Hotz Ave. in Grayton Beach. The design has been completed and the application for the Development Order has been submitted.  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 our Beach Tram. Work is anticipated to begin Fall 2024.

 
 

The Pelayo Neighborhood Beach Access Renovation Project will be underway in mid-February and take approximately three months to complete. This project involves relocating the current boardwalk/dune walkover to the western edge of the property. The beach access will remain open to the public during construction.

 
Walton Dunes Regional Beach Access is located at 258 Beachfront Trail. 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. Improvements are expected to include 14 parallel ROW parking spaces with dedicated ADA, LSV, and bicycle parking, restrooms and an ADA-accessible boardwalk.
 
 
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners 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:

Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility, home to Walton County’s Beach Tram, this 6.995-acre facility is located on the eastern portion of County Road 283 South, across from the Shoppes at Grayton. A construction contract has been awarded and is anticipated to begin in late February, taking approximately 10 months to complete. Once finished, the facility will have 204 parking spaces, including dedicated ADA, electric car, LSV, RV, and bicycle parking areas, a 2,966-sf public transportation facility with an air-conditioned waiting area and restrooms, and connectivity to the multi-use path. A portion of the parking area will remain open to the public during construction.

393 Municipal Parking Facility, This 2.3-acre parcel is located north of the Gulf Place Town Center on the west side of County Road 393. The construction contract has been awarded and work is anticipated to begin in late February 2024.  This project will add 83 parking spaces with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV and bicycles, and a 971 square foot transit building with an air-conditioned waiting area and restrooms. Construction is expected to take approximately six months to complete.

 
 
 
 

The Cessna Landing Park Improvements project is located at 1689 County Highway 393 N. in Santa Rosa Beach. A construction contract has been awarded with work expected to begin in March 2024, taking approximately four months to complete. The park will be closed to the public during construction. Plans are to add two additional docks, replace the existing pavilions, and reconfigure existing driveways and parking areas. Additional work will include hardscape, landscape, site utilities, site grading/drainage and stormwater systems.

 

Camp Creek Lake Canoe & Kayak Launch is located at 121 S. Camp Creek Road, 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. The Development Order has been received and we are preparing to place the project out for bid with construction to begin in Spring 2024.

 
Updates on Other Capital Improvement Projects:

  • The Driftwood Road Municipal Parking project is on a 1.119-acre parcel located at 76 Driftwood Road in Miramar Beach. Plans include a 67-space parking area with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV, and bicycles, an air-conditioned public transit stop, and a restroom facility. Status: Receipt of a development order is expected by April 2024.

  • Kellogg Nature Center at 855 Nursery Road in Santa Rosa Beach, this proposed community/nature center will be a 1,800 square foot assembly-style building for nature watching and community gatherings, with access to the kayak launch. Status: Design development with coastal cottage architecture is at 90 percent.

  • Headland Street Neighborhood Beach Access is located in the South Headland Avenue right-of-way and will provide improved pedestrian access with a new sidewalk, boardwalk, dune walkover and connectivity to the multi-use path. Status: Design/permitting efforts continue.
  • Miramar Beach Municipal Parking Project is a 4.5-acre parcel in Miramar Beach is 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.
 
More detail about Beach Operations Capital Improvements, including beach access, existing beach/bay renovation projects and other projects, is available HERE.