Nature Walk at Seagrove

[SoWalSally]

From Walton Sun

Nature Walk’s entrance preserves wetlands while making a statement to visitors – “Our backyard is nature as it’s been for 100 years.”
The 800-foot long wooden pile supported bridge on the entrance road is the longest of its kind in the United States and offers views of Point Washington State Forest that surround the project.
The bridge is the first of many hand-made wooden bridges and walkways that will interconnect the community.
“It provides a calming experience as you enter Nature Walk,” said developer Rick Olson. “Through design and planning of the project we’ve created the experience of nature. We are hand-clearing each lot in Nature Walk to accentuate the existing natural vegetation and tree canopy.”
The gated community off County Road 395 in South Walton is being developed by Olson Associates of NW Florida Inc. and will have 291 homes and 200 condos on 155 acres.
More than 80 percent of the lots have views of the forest. Shannon Howell, senior vice president with the company, noted 68 acres would be preserved.
This is a master planned community with architectural guidelines that were designed by team of Olson employees and consultants to define Nature Walk. The “pattern book” is a guide that defines everything in the community to create harmony with the environment, said Olson.
The placement of porches, fences and towers are not only described, each home site has specific plans that are outlined when the customer purchases the site. The pattern book also details the palette of colors, types of lighting and landscaping.
In Nature Walk there are three types of homes: rear-alley loaded cottages on the smallest lots, village homes on mid-size lots and preserve lots that are the largest and are on either a wetland area or the preserve.
Construction of the first residential development, four models that include two condos and two homes, should start in February with completion anticipated in nine months.
Work has also begun on The Gathering Place – a 10,000 squarefoot clubhouse and the 8,000-square-foot welcome center and sales office.

[Buckhead Rick]

Any one know how sales are going? What, if any buildouts, and if the new "hotel" at the Seagrove market is helping sales in that area?

[SHELLY]

“It provides a calming experience as you enter Nature Walk,” said developer Rick Olson. “Through design and planning of the project we’ve created the experience of nature.

And on the 7th day will Rick rest too? Or will Sunday's be preserved for "OPEN HOUSE"

[kurt]

“It provides a calming experience as you enter Nature Walk,” said developer Rick Olson. “Through design and planning of the project we’ve created the experience of nature.

And on the 7th day will Rick rest too? Or will Sunday's be preserved for "OPEN HOUSE"

Those might have been a poor choice of words by the developer, but your attempt at a joke just hit the floor with a thud. Rick Olson is doing a better development than most, including saving a lot of trees others might have clearcut, and respecting wetlands, which the community appreciates.

He also offered to pay $100,000 or so for the traffic light at 98 and 395 which would not have benefitted his development, other than possible PR value.

Please think twice before clicking the "submit reply" button.

[tuck]

Those might have been a poor choice of words by the developer, but your attempt at a joke just hit the floor with a thud. Rick Olson is doing a better development than most, including saving a lot of trees others might have clearcut, and respecting wetlands, which the community appreciates.

He also offered to pay $100,000 or so for the traffic light at 98 and 395 which would not have benefitted his development, other than possible PR value.

Please think twice before clicking the "submit reply" button.

I agree with Kurt here, and I almost always disagree with big development. Mr. Olson has shown true concern for the vegatation and for our community. He did offer a total of $250,000.00 for lights at both 395 and 283 intersections due to the fact that he has teenage children and was at a loss when the teenage girls were killed at 395.

He is a fine man and deserves good remarks.

[Franny]

I agree with Kurt here, and I almost always disagree with big development. Mr. Olson has shown true concern for the vegatation and for our community. He did offer a total of $250,000.00 for lights at both 395 and 283 intersections due to the fact that he has teenage children and was at a loss when the teenage girls were killed at 395.

He is a fine man and deserves good remarks.

Rick Olson is a fine, hardworking FAMILY man and I take my hat off to him. He is doing a remarkable job and Nature Walk is a beautiful area.

[Franny]

Any one know how sales are going? What, if any buildouts, and if the new "hotel" at the Seagrove market is helping sales in that area?

BR, the majority of the lots in Nature Walk were reserved by contractors in 2005. There are a few developer lots and from the Saturday article looks like they will begin construction this month. The contractors have not closed on their lots because of a few decisions for the development that are still in the works. I can't go into any more detail at this point, but I will say if the development is allowed to do what they are working towards Nature Walk will be a more sought of community than it is even now.

[TooFarTampa]

This is all very interesting. Thanks for the info. I've wondered about this project for awhile since it borders the end of San Juan Avenue, not too far from where our lot is in Seagrove. I applaud this kind of thoughtful development. It is also nice to see that our neck of the woods is not going to be too overloaded, since there is so much private green space in NatureWalk, the surrounding forests, and that parcel of WaterColor behind Publix.

I'm wondering about beach access though -- there doesn't appear to be an easy way to get to the beach. You could drive, but where in that area would you park? Any ballpark on pricing for these homes?

[Franny]

This is all very interesting. Thanks for the info. I've wondered about this project for awhile since it borders the end of San Juan Avenue, not too far from where our lot is in Seagrove. I applaud this kind of thoughtful development. It is also nice to see that our neck of the woods is not going to be too overloaded, since there is so much private green space in NatureWalk, the surrounding forests, and that parcel of WaterColor behind Publix.

I'm wondering about beach access though -- there doesn't appear to be an easy way to get to the beach. You could drive, but where in that area would you park? Any ballpark on pricing for these homes?

To be perfectly honest the lots reserved by contractors were not inexpensive, therfore this will reflect the price of homes. "Ballpark figures"
would possibly begin around $1.5 million based on the price of the lot. When I learn more I will share.

[monty]

To be perfectly honest the lots reserved by contractors were not inexpensive, therfore this will reflect the price of homes. "Ballpark figures"
would possibly begin around $1.5 million based on the price of the lot. When I learn more I will share.

It sounds like the developer is a good guy and is doing a lot to build a very nice and eco friendly development. Volunteering to put up lights at hwy 98 was also classy. But, if his houses are going to be listed at $1.5 million and up, he is going to have a very difficult time selling even one. There are beautiful houses much closer to the beach in Rosemary, Watersound, Watercolor, etc that are listed for a lot less and not moving. This development will have difficult time getting any traction. Too bad given the apparent good intentions of the developer.

[Amp22]

I'd rather be in Naturwalk than WaterColor or Rosemary. Less traffic, bigger lots, quieter, etc.

[Franny]

I'd rather be in Naturwalk than WaterColor or Rosemary. Less traffic, bigger lots, quieter, etc.

Very good points Amp22. We have three lots reserved and plan to build spec homes in Nature Walk.

[Amp22]

Very good points Amp22. We have three lots reserved and plan to build spec homes in Nature Walk.

I won't buy one unless you post secrets.

[Franny]

I won't buy one unless you post secrets.

You have to be patient!!!

[monty]

I'd rather be in Naturwalk than WaterColor or Rosemary. Less traffic, bigger lots, quieter, etc.

Haven't been here in a while. How's Nature Walk faring these days?

[Smiling JOe]

It is available, if you are interested in purchasing it.

[TreeFrog]

I think SJ means it's ALL available...

[AAbsolute]

Very good points Amp22. We have three lots reserved and plan to build spec homes in Nature Walk.

Have you closed on any lots in Nature Walk?

[tsutcli]

Isn't this the development that bought the Seagrove Cottages property and were going to turn it into their beach club? Thought that was for sale at something like $16M. Are plans back on to go forward with this? If not, where will be their beach access? Maybe he can buy the corner property from George and turn it into a parking lot for Nature Walk and use the public access there. This intersection is a disaster waiting to happen with increased foot and bike traffic come summer.

[AAbsolute]

Isn't this the development that bought the Seagrove Cottages property and were going to turn it into their beach club? Thought that was for sale at something like $16M. Are plans back on to go forward with this? If not, where will be their beach access? Maybe he can buy the corner property from George and turn it into a parking lot for Nature Walk and use the public access there. This intersection is a disaster waiting to happen with increased foot and bike traffic come summer.

I bet it happens a lot now days where a Developer obtains beach access for an off-site community only to not develop the amenity. Imagine what that's like for someone who bought.

[Smiling JOe]

Thanks TreeFrog. Yes, ALL of NatureWalk is for sale as one piece, though I'd bet that they would split off the Seagrove Villas if you wanted to buy it.

aabsolute, I don't think any lots ever closed in NatureWalk. Franny's post was from a while ago.

If no one buys NatureWalk, it may soon be taken over by nature. It would make a great location for a large public park of some kind.

[AAbsolute]

Thanks TreeFrog. Yes, ALL of NatureWalk is for sale as one piece, though I'd bet that they would split off the Seagrove Villas if you wanted to buy it.

aabsolute, I don't think any lots ever closed in NatureWalk. Franny's post was from a while ago.

If no one buys NatureWalk, it may soon be taken over by nature. It would make a great location for a large public park of some kind.

Isn't it surrounded by a public park the dwarfs it? I'd imagine JOE would buy it for 60,000 per lot.

[Smiling JOe]

JOE has no need for it. You are close about the public park surrounding it, though it is a State Forest. I'm talking about a public park with swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, etc.

[GoodWitch58]

JOE has no need for it. You are close about the public park surrounding it, though it is a State Forest. I'm talking about a public park with swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, etc.

Grayt idea and the Club house and roads are already there!

[AAbsolute]

JOE has no need for it. You are close about the public park surrounding it, though it is a State Forest. I'm talking about a public park with swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, etc.

I was thinking JOE could use it to legitimize and enhance the bifurcated last phase of Watercolor. Maybe as a business decision there is a destination type amenity they could place there which would draw the rest of the community to that black-sheep phase.

I'm currently of the mind that our government should liquidate redundant assets and directly pay down governement debt with no handling of the proceeds by any part of the government. No more acquisition of land before all current government owned real estate is fully utilized.

[GoodWitch58]

I was thinking JOE could use it to legitimize and enhance the bifurcated last phase of Watercolor. Maybe as a business decision there is a destination type amenity they could place there which would draw the rest of the community to that black-sheep phase.

I'm currently of the mind that our government should liquidate redundant assets and directly pay down governement debt with no handling of the proceeds by any part of the government. No more acquisition of land before all current government owned real estate is fully utilized.

Are you speaking of local government? What "current ...owned real estate.." are you referring to? (NOt state forest I hope)

BTW, your idea above about adding to WaterColor is an interesting one Perhaps then, WC would not further develop the land just south of 98....

[AAbsolute]

Are you speaking of local government? What "current ...owned real estate.." are you referring to? (NOt state forest I hope)

BTW, your idea above about adding to WaterColor is an interesting one Perhaps then, WC would not further develop the land just south of 98....

I think State governments should focus on a short list of priorities before broadening their intentions. Public Safety (Police, Fire, Emergency Services)
Education alternatives, Transportation, Courts. Not much else.

I didn't know JOE was expanding Watercolor North of 98.?.?. Thanks for the info.

[Jdarg]

Thanks TreeFrog. Yes, ALL of NatureWalk is for sale as one piece, though I'd bet that they would split off the Seagrove Villas if you wanted to buy it.

aabsolute, I don't think any lots ever closed in NatureWalk. Franny's post was from a while ago.

If no one buys NatureWalk, it may soon be taken over by nature. It would make a great location for a large public park of some kind.

Yes it would.

[TreeFrog]

Yes it would.

Agreed. Here are a few reasons...

1-395 is near the East/West center of 30A, and SoWal in general, and easily accessible via 30A or 98 from all of Sowal.
2-The land is roughly bordered on the north, east, and west by the State Forest and wouldn't be ringed by houses with owners unhappy to be neighbors to a park.
3-The time will eventually come when WalCo is simply unable to supply public amenities like parks, either because the land is literally all cut up into developments, or because the county won't be able to afford to acquire it. Warren Buffet is buying now because of extraordinary opportunity. Maybe WalCo should follow his lead.
4-Not that it matters to everyone, but blunting the development of NatureWalk will effectively preclude the extraordinary demands that the planned beach club would have had on traffic, parking, and beach crowding at the Seagrove Villas site.

Naysayers will decry the loss of potential property tax base. I accept that, but even in my short time in SoWal I've seen the signs of a long-term evolution from a purely vacation-based community to one supporting a growing permanent population - which needs doctors, car washes, schools, churches, post offices, grocery stores, and yes, parks.

[GoodWitch58]

I think State governments should focus on a short list of priorities before broadening their intentions. Public Safety (Police, Fire, Emergency Services)
Education alternatives, Transportation, Courts. Not much else.

I didn't know JOE was expanding Watercolor North of 98.?.?. Thanks for the info.

I didn't write that JOE was expanding north of 98...read my post again

[AAbsolute]

I didn't write that JOE was expanding north of 98...read my post again

I let my directional dyslexia get the better of me again. Sorry.

Which area are you talking about? Is it close to the 395/98 light?