Beach Access Watch

What is this about?

Pretty sure you can find almost all of them on Google Street View, right?

What is this about?

I started this thread so that people of the community can post up to date photos of existing beach access points to show ease of access, historically, present day, and future. Mainly to show when an adjacent property owner starts encroaching on the access by planting landscaping, etc. in an effort to limit the public's access.

Example: Headland Avenue.

Yes, Will, Google Street View does show this, but only since the last time the Google car drove by, or the Google Beach Walking Man has walked by.

Some people like to do their deeds when no ones watching, like clearing lots over the weekends, landscaping, etc.

So like planting on the right of ways to prevent parking, or on the beach? Sorry I'm confused.

So like planting on the right of ways to prevent parking, or on the beach? Sorry I'm confused.

More about walkways to the beach itself.

Wow - so people are blocking access to the beach? What happened at Headland?

Headland Avenue Access disappeared. It appears that the homeowners in the area are suing and strong arming the county into actions that are not good for the rest of us.

This photo is the Headland access. They just covered it up and hid it.

Stallworth Preserve put up a gate and denied access to the public.

There has been a gate across the road between your "A" and "T" for a while. Are you saying there is a fence, now, where the tip of my arrow is?

No there used to be another access a little bit to the west but the residents put up a gate to their street. Yes It was done quite awhile ago.

I thought the Stallworth Access was immediately went of the intersection of Highland and South Bishop. Used to be parking there (30 years ago - great access!) But it's been inaccesible except to golf carts for years. Are we saying it's now inside the gate for Stallworth Preserve?
I'll have to drive over and look the next time I'm in the area.

And Headland Avenue in SeaHighlands s/d in Seagrove has been in contention for years now as well. I don't like the megamansions but don't take away the beach accesses too.

Here is a pic from a few years ago before the county fenced off the access in Seagrove at Walton Dunes. So much for the concept of keeping accesses open to the public...

I thought the Stallworth Access was immediately went of the intersection of Highland and South Bishop. Used to be parking there (30 years ago - great access!) But it's been inaccesible except to golf carts for years. Are we saying it's now inside the gate for Stallworth Preserve?
I'll have to drive over and look the next time I'm in the area.

And Headland Avenue in SeaHighlands s/d in Seagrove has been in contention for years now as well. I don't like the megamansions but don't take away the beach accesses too.

Beach Highlands Access is the one outside the gate you refer to. Stallworth Preserve Access is inside the gate.

South Walton Beach, Bay & Lake Accesses

The county still has Stallworth Preserve Access in inventory but it is inaccessible. Perhaps the gate should come down.

I am glad we have been adding access and parking recently but we are also losing access. Also I don't like that we can't park on road shoulders in many places in South Walton. A group of neighbors gets together and puts no parking signs and barriers on our easements. That is not right and we shouldn't allow it. We have the funds and the reasons to add proper parking along our roads, especially near accesses.

View attachment 83509

Here is a pic from a few years ago before the county fenced off the access in Seagrove at Walton Dunes. So much for the concept of keeping accesses open to the public...

Walton Dunes is about to be developed with parking and restrooms.

Walton Dunes is about to be developed with parking and restrooms.

Yes it is. So why block the access? It’s been this way for 2-3 years now. Supposedly it was done to product the very dunes that will be destroyed for the bathroom? More asinine/bi-polar behavior of our BCC....

Stallworth Preserve put up a gate and denied access to the public.

View attachment 83472

The county owns 2.6 acres at the end of Stallworth Blvd abutting Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. This can be one of the finest beach accesses in SoWal with room for restrooms and parking.

Questions:
1. why is there a gate blocking access to this public parcel?
2. why is there not a developed county beach access on the parcel?
3. why is there no mention of it when the county is furiously trying to buy and develop beach accesses?

Yes it is. So why block the access? It’s been this way for 2-3 years now. Supposedly it was done to product the very dunes that will be destroyed for the bathroom? More asinine/bi-polar behavior of our BCC....

The plans for an access have been up in the air. Dunes need to be protected. Even if it is right up until the time they are leveled. Using words like bipolar and asinine is not helpful. It makes you part of the problem instead of part of the solution.

There is a lawsuit now challenging the county commission's approval of beach access improvements at Walton Dunes.

There is a lawsuit now challenging the county commission's approval of beach access improvements at Walton Dunes.

Looked pretty weak and a clear case of NIMBY but also very disappointing nothing can be done anymore without beach owners complaining. Or people in general.

Looked pretty weak and a clear case of NIMBY but also very disappointing nothing can be done anymore without beach owners complaining. Or people in general.

The BFOs all say the county should get more "public" access... NIMBY for sure. The county has owned this property for a while havent they?

The BFOs all say the county should get more "public" access... NIMBY for sure. The county has owned this property for a while havent they?

Walton County had the property under lease from the Bureau of Land Management beginning in 1992, then it was conveyed to Walton County about seven years ago.

Walton County had the property under lease from the Bureau of Land Management beginning in 1992, then it was conveyed to Walton County about seven years ago.

What is the residents' objection to developing the access? Let me guess, an increase risk of damage from storms. BS. We all know they simply don't want people on "their" beach.

They're alleging that dune systems will be destroyed and their neighboring property will be adversely impacted, along with danger associated with plans for a cul-de-sac turnaround.

The Stallworth land owned by the county is mitigation land for the development. It was never meant to be a public park.

The Stallworth land owned by the county is mitigation land for the development. It was never meant to be a public park.

Mitigation for what? Why not land at the front of the development we could access instead of the rear behind a gate?