Projects
Beach Access Updates
Scenic Gulf Drive Regional Beach Access (RBA), the newest of our Regional Beach Accesses, is located at 907 Scenic Gulf Drive in Miramar Beach. This facility opened October 2022 and has 18 parking spaces, including dedicated parking for ADA, low speed vehicles (LSV) and bicycles, restrooms, picnic pavilion, water fountain, outdoor showers and ADA beach access.
Seagrove RBA, located across the street from Café Thirty-A, is in the final design/permit phase. Permits are in place and documents have been submitted to Walton County Technical Review Committee for final approval. Construction plans include parking for automobiles, ADA, LSV, and bicycles, a 1000sf +/- restroom facility, handicap-accessible dune walkover, and connectivity to the multi-use path. Construction is anticipated to begin Winter 2023 and be complete by Summer 2024.
Currently under appeal with the Zoning Board of Adjustments, the Walton Dunes RBA 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.
Headland Street Neighborhood Beach Access (NBA) 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. Construction is expected to begin in early Spring 2024.
The design and permitting phase continues on the Kellogg Park Nature Center project. Is located 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 ongoing.
In 2008, the county formalized the bayside park, added a seawall, benches, water fountains and a parking area. The Tourism Department is currently responsible for maintaining the trails and existing facilities in the park. This 10-acre property was donated by the Kellogg family and is located on Choctawhatchee Bay.
Capital Improvement Updates
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.
Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility, formerly referred to as the “Grayton Central” parking lot, is 6.995 acres and is located on the eastern portion of County Road 283 South, across from the Shoppes at Grayton. The contract has been awarded and construction is anticipated to begin in February and take approximately 10 months to complete. Once finished, the facility will have 180+/- parking spaces, dedicated ADA, electric car, LSV and bicycle parking areas, restrooms, public transportation facilities, and connectivity to the multi-use path. We anticipate keeping part of the parking facility available to the public during construction.
The Driftwood Road Municipal Parking project is on a 1.119-acre parcel located at 76 Driftwood Road in Miramar Beach. 
The Technical Review Committee has reviewed the plans, and we expect to receive the development order soon. Plans include a parking lot containing 67 spaces with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV, bicycles, an air-conditioned public transit stop, and a restroom facility.
The 393 Municipal Parking Facility is on 2.3-acres and is located north of the Gulf Place Town Center on the west side of County Road 393. Currently in the permitting stage, this project will add 83 +/- parking spaces with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV, bicycles, electric cars and a 1300 square foot transit building with restroom facility. Construction is expected to begin in Winter 2023 and completed by Summer 2024.
The grand opening of the Eastern Lake Municipal Parking Facility was held August 9th. This is the first of five parking facilities to be constructed in south Walton County and has added parking for 16 standard vehicles, 18 low speed vehicles, and a bike plaza. Developed to provide parking for the Eastern Lake public beach access, it is just steps away from where the Eastern Lake coastal dune lake outfall meets the beach. Residents and visitors come to this location to enjoy its unique beauty, which until now was mainly accessible to pedestrians and bicyclist.
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.
The Cessna Landing Park Improvements project is located at 1689 County Highway 393 N., in Santa Rosa Beach and is out for bid, with a bid closing in February. 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 and 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: Currently reworking the design to be compliant with both ADA and Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone guidelines.
The Grayton Beach Community Center is located at 44 Hotz Avenue in Grayton Beach. It is in the design stage and once completed, the 1600 +/- square foot building will house a local information station, restrooms, observation deck, a boardwalk to the beach, and access to our transit shuttle. Work is anticipated to begin this Fall 2024.
Beach Access & Customary Use Reminder:
While there have been changes for customary use of private beachfront property, much is still evolving currently. If guests have concerns, we hope the below information will be helpful.
Things to keep in mind:
Walton County Tourism currently maintains 58 public beach access points, including ten Regional Public Beach Accesses complete with parking, restroom facilities, and lifeguards. South Walton also enjoys additional miles of public beach thanks to our State Parks. The customary use changes do not affect our public beaches, only privately-owned beachfront property.
A user-friendly interactive map of public beach access points can be found here: visitsouthwalton.com/beach-and-bay-access-locations
Many beach neighborhoods and resorts already have dedicated beach areas available for guests staying with them.
What is customary use?
Customary use is a common-law term referring to the public access of the privately-owned beachfront property. Some Gulf-front properties in Florida have a property line that extends to the mean high-water line.
What is changing?
Essentially, some beachfront homeowners are restricting access to the dry sandy areas behind their homes. All wet sand areas remain undisputed public property and beachgoers cannot be excluded from these areas. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office will be the governing force for any conflicts or complications that may arise on the space in front of properties now considered private property.
Does that mean I can't walk all 26 miles of our white sand beaches?
No, you can absolutely still walk our beautiful beaches for as far as you wish. There will still be plenty of space in the wet sand area for beach-walkers to enjoy, and plenty of public beach where access is in no way under dispute.