Projects
Beach Operations is responsible for: beach maintenance and re-nourishment, construction and maintenance of regional beach accesses, neighborhood beach accesses, bay parks, municipal parking facilities and the multi-use trail. It also provides maintenance of U.S. Highway 331 Scenic Corridor, U.S. Highway 98 Scenic Corridor, County Route 30A Scenic Corridor and the Scenic Gulf Drive Corridor.
Completed Projects:
One Seagrove Neighborhood Beach Access is now open! Construction began in February and included removing the aging stairway and rebuilding a new, ADA compliant dune walkover, installing two new rinse showers, removing the old fence and sidewalk around the cul-de-sac, and replacing with new material.
Under Construction:
The Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility is located at 1505 S. Co. Hwy. 283. This 1,700 square foot 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. STATUS: Construction began in March 2024 and is expected to be completed in May 2025.
The 393 Municipal Parking Facility is located at 1668 S. Co. Hwy. 393, approximately 1/4 mile from the Ed Walline Regional Beach Access. It will contain 74 parking spaces with dedicated parking for ADA, LSV, bicycles and a 1,300 square foot transit building with a restroom facility. STATUS: The project began in March 2024 and is expected to be completed in late Summer 2025.
Seagrove RBA, our newest regional beach access, is located in the heart of Seagrove. This project includes parking with dedicated spaces for standard vehicles, ADA, bicycles, a 1,011 square foot restroom facility, handicap-accessible dune walkover and connectivity to the multi-use path. STATUS: Construction began in July 2024 and is expected to be completed this fall.
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, a stormwater component to help alleviate flooding in the area. STATUS: Construction began in January 2025 and is expected to be completed in May 2025.
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 the Beach Tram. STATUS: Construction began in April 2025 and will take approximately one year to complete.
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: The contract was awarded at the April 22nd BCC meeting, with construction starting in June, and will take approximately 11 months to complete.
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: The project has been placed out for bid with an expected start date of June 2025; it will take approximately 10 months to complete.
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.
Walton Dunes Regional Beach Access is located at 258 Beachfront Trail. Improvements are expected to include 14 parallel ROW parking spaces with dedicated ADA, LSV, and bicycle parking, restrooms and an ADA-accessible boardwalk. STATUS: 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.
The South Walton Lakeshore Drive Right-of-Way Improvement project is underway and will be completed in 3 phases to address pedestrian safety and right-of-way degradation at this neighborhood beach access.
· In Phase 1, a split rail fence was installed along South Walton Lakeshore Drive to delineate the project area, and a bike plaza was added to create organized bike parking at the south end of the project site.
· Phase II will begin in October 2025 and includes the addition of a sidewalk from Emerald Cove Lane S., south to Walton Magnolia Lane; the installation of a crosswalk from the new sidewalk heading southwest to the beach access; creation of Low-Speed Vehicle parking spaces; and hardscape/landscape.
· Phase III will be completed by Walton County Public Works in 2028 and will include a sidewalk that spans from Highway 98 south along South Walton Lakeshore Dr., to connect to the Phase II sidewalk.
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.
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.