Projects

Completed Projects:

The Pelayo Neighborhood Beach Access Renovation Project is complete. This project involved relocating the current boardwalk/dune walkover to the western edge of the property.

 

Under Construction: The Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility is located at 1505 S. Co. Hwy. 283 and should be completed in Spring 2025. This 1,700 square feet 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. This facility will be constructed in two phases, with the lower lot being completed first. Limited parking is available while construction is underway.

 

The 393 Municipal Parking Facility is located at 1668 S. Co. Hwy. 393 and is expected to be completed in Fall 2024. This facility is approximately a quarter of a mile from the Ed Walline Regional Beach Access and will contain 83 parking spaces with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV, bicycles and a 1,300 square feet transit building with a restroom facility.

 

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. Construction began June and is expected to be completed 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. The construction contract has been awarded and is set to begin in September and be completed by the end of January 2025. There will be temporary park closures during the resurfacing portion of the project.

 

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 our Beach Tram. The development order has been issued and the final permitting has almost been completed. We expect to have the project ready to be placed out for bid later this summer with construction beginning in the fall.

 

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.

 

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: An application for a Development Order has been submitted.

 

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: An application for a Development Order has been submitted.  Construction is expected to begin in late Fall 2024.

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: Receipt of a development order is expected in Summer 2024.

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. 

 

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.