Dennis - Beach Accesses - post here

[kurt]

click here for Beach Access Map pdf

Open Beach Access Points as of 7/19/05:

• Dune Allen Regional Access: Located on 30-A; west of Oyster Lake at Fort Panick Rd.
• Ed Walline Regional Access: Located at the intersection of Hwy. 30-A and County Rd. 393.
• Grayton Beach Regional Access: Located at the end of DeFuniak Street in Grayton Beach.
• Inlet Access: Located at the end of Lakeshore Drive, one block east of Orange St.
• Walton Dunes: - Located at the end of Beach Front Trail east of Eastern Lake adjacent to Dunes of Seagrove.
• Sugar Dunes: – Off of Sanroy Rd., east of Eastern Lake in Lakewood Community
• Area east of Pompano Joe’s off Scenic Gulf Drive
• Area east of Whales Tale off Scenic Gulf Drive

Here's what I've seen or heard - I will post official stuff above. The county is still evaluating accesses and should start cleanup ASAP but they are dealing with the larger issue of damaged houses I'm sure.

Inlet Beach at Walton Lakeshore Drive - the drive on access is also a good place to walk on but not any parking.

Rosemary Beach has an access open at Western Green.

Seaside has access behind Roly Poly at Perspicacity market in the center of town.

Seaside will have walk on access behind roly poly at wedding pavillion.

WaterColor brought in a removeable metal WO after Arlene and they were able to remove it before Dennis and it is already back in place. It is main access behind beach club.

WaterSound - plenty of places to walk on if you're staying there.

Grayton - walk on, drive on with 4wd and permit.

Ed Walline at 393 - walk on beside WO.

Fort Panic Dune Allen - walk on beside WO.

Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill State Park have walk on access, Deer Lake has no access.

[Smiling JOe]

I'm not sure about the one behind goatfeathers but I saw some wet people walking north from it.

I posted picks somewhere in all of those photos. It was a 15'drop.

[RiverOtter]

I posted picks somewhere in all of those photos. It was a 15'drop.

Base Jumping?

[Sheila]

Base Jumping?

That's a good plan for the trip down. What about the trip back up though?

[wetwilly]

Anything close to the West side of Eastern Lake? South Gulf Street? If not, looks like Seaside may be the closest for the Eastern Lakers? Our pool maintenance gal said that she saw people using the one at S. Gulf at Eastern Lake today but I know from last week before Dennis that it was washed out since Ivan and there was a 3-4 ft drop (again before Dennis). Any status on that walk over would be great!

Will the county post anything official anywhere about what is open or closed for renters? I don't want to tell someone to use one that is not official open or safe....

[Smiling JOe]

Anything close to the West side of Eastern Lake? South Gulf Street? If not, looks like Seaside may be the closest for the Eastern Lakers? Our pool maintenance gal said that she saw people using the one at S. Gulf at Eastern Lake today but I know from last week before Dennis that it was washed out since Ivan and there was a 3-4 ft drop (again before Dennis). Any status on that walk over would be great!

Will the county post anything official anywhere about what is open or closed for renters? I don't want to tell someone to use one that is not official open or safe....

Typically the Tourist Development Council, TDC post the opened public accesses after they assess them for damage.

[kurt]

Anything close to the West side of Eastern Lake? South Gulf Street? If not, looks like Seaside may be the closest for the Eastern Lakers? Our pool maintenance gal said that she saw people using the one at S. Gulf at Eastern Lake today but I know from last week before Dennis that it was washed out since Ivan and there was a 3-4 ft drop (again before Dennis). Any status on that walk over would be great!

Will the county post anything official anywhere about what is open or closed for renters? I don't want to tell someone to use one that is not official open or safe....

The eastern lake access was boarded but last year a lot of people used that one because there's no bluff.

Yes the county will have a list. I expect the first list to be a walk on list since no walkovers survived. After Ivan they released a priority list telling us which ones would be rebuilt first.

[wetwilly]

Thanks for the info. Again, you guys are great. The TDC site says that beaches of SoWal are "closed". I understand that any remaining dunes are unsafe (and should not be walked on anyway at anytime) and the gulf front houses and condos are dangerous too but will they enforce the closing? In other words, will they kick people off of the beach if people go on them? If really closed and enforced, how long will they stay closed typically? BRSW website says that they are prepared to honor guests starting this week (7/16). Just want to make sure I tell my renters the straight scoop since they are driving 2 days to come down to SoWal.

[geauxfl]

We still have no info on Hidden Dunes. By the looks of the photo on their site, their WO seemed very steep, anyone know? Anyone know of the damage there?

[kurt]

Thanks for the info. Again, you guys are great. The TDC site says that beaches of SoWal are "closed". I understand that any remaining dunes are unsafe (and should not be walked on anyway at anytime) and the gulf front houses and condos are dangerous too but will they enforce the closing? In other words, will they kick people off of the beach if people go on them? If really closed and enforced, how long will they stay closed typically? BRSW website says that they are prepared to honor guests starting this week (7/16). Just want to make sure I tell my renters the straight scoop since they are driving 2 days to come down to SoWal.

A lot of people were on the beaches today - well not a lot comapred to a normal July day.

They are CTA for liability reasons and yes there is some real danger. Also there were some septic tanks uncovered here and there so they want the water to clear for a few days before allowing swimming.

[Sea Turtle]

Anything close to the West side of Eastern Lake? South Gulf Street? If not, looks like Seaside may be the closest for the Eastern Lakers? Our pool maintenance gal said that she saw people using the one at S. Gulf at Eastern Lake today but I know from last week before Dennis that it was washed out since Ivan and there was a 3-4 ft drop (again before Dennis). Any status on that walk over would be great!

Sadly- there is NO PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS FROM EASTERN LAKE RD
The 2 public accesses, at Ramsgate and at Eastern Lake on Gulf Dr are both CLOSED.

PLEASE do not try to use them. There are gulf front homes near them that have sustained serious damage (even if you don't see it) They will be further damaged by people illegally walking to the beach through their property. It was difficult to keep people off the dunes before, now it will be even harder. Already last night there was a family trampling one home's damaged vegetation to get to the beach, then let their kids play in what was left of the dunes!

The HOA at Summer's Edge is directing the owners and guests and others in the area to use the Lakewood Drive Beach Access. This is off Lakewood Drive just to the east of the lake. It is open.

This is a temporary condition! The accesses will be rebuilt soon and it will again be easy to reach the beautiful emerald water.

For now, educate your guests and neighbors. This will help keep them safe, the homes safe and avoid any unhappy confrontations with the sherriff who has been notified to remove trespassers who may be endangering themselves or the homes along the coast.

[jamesc09]

Is it correct then that the access @ Lakewood Dr. and Beachside Villas is usable and open?

JC

[Smiling JOe]

[QUOTE=Sea Turtle]

Anything close to the West side of Eastern Lake? South Gulf Street? If not, looks like Seaside may be the closest for the Eastern Lakers? Our pool maintenance gal said that she saw people using the one at S. Gulf at Eastern Lake today but I know from last week before Dennis that it was washed out since Ivan and there was a 3-4 ft drop (again before Dennis). Any status on that walk over would be great!
QUOTE]

Sadly- there is NO PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS FROM EASTERN LAKE RD
The 2 public accesses, at Ramsgate and at Eastern Lake on Gulf Dr are both CLOSED.

PLEASE do not try to use them. There are gulf front homes near them that have sustained serious damage (even if you don't see it) They will be further damaged by people illegally walking to the beach through their property. It was difficult to keep people off the dunes before, now it will be even harder. Already last night there was a family trampling one home's damaged vegetation to get to the beach, then let their kids play in what was left of the dunes!
...
This is a temporary condition! The accesses will be rebuilt soon and it will again be easy to reach the beautiful emerald water.

For now, educate your guests and neighbors. This will help keep them safe, the homes safe and avoid any unhappy confrontations with the sherriff who has been notified to remove trespassers.

Sea Turtle, I feel for you. I wonder where you can buy razor wire to keep those folks out? I guess the Bay Front properties, which usually fair well if not built on the ground, will soon become the hottest commodity in real estate. Plus, no one tramples through your yard to get to the Bay.

[Sea Turtle]

[QUOTE=Smiling JOe]

Sea Turtle, I feel for you. I wonder where you can buy razor wire to keep those folks out? I guess the Bay Front properties, which usually fair well if not built on the ground, will soon become the hottest commodity in real estate. Plus, no one tramples through your yard to get to the Bay.

Thank you, Smiling Joe. (for ALL you do! )

We don't want to appear mean but it is a fine line to walk between keeping folks happy and keeping our homes safe!

[Rather B Paddlin]

Our renters have gone down the area next to the walkover behind Goatfeathers. Hard to get down. Almost impossible to get back up.

[sunsetdunes]

The county park at Inlet Beach at Orange Street has lots of parking and about a 10 foot drop with a ladder that people are using. it may be boarded off by the county.

Rosemary Beach has startes repairs on the central WO at western green and should be done in a few days.

Our house is on South Wall Street in Inlet Beach, about a block from Rosemary. After Hurricane Ivan, the closest access to us that was restored quickly was at Rosemary Beach Eastern Green. If anyone knows when that will be restored, I would be interested in knowing.

My neighbor, who lives in Inlet Beach, reported to me that currently the only safe public access at Inlet Beach is at the end of South Walton Lakeshore, because there is no dune there (so they never had a walkover), but there is no parking there. The closest parking is at South Orange Street, but there are not very many spaces. (Several are handicapped spaces.)

Here is a map that we placed on our web site to help our renters.

http://www.sunsetdunesgetaway.com/beachaccessmap.htm

Janet

[Passatfish]

How far is the beach access for the Cottages at camp Creek?

[Camp Creek Kid]

How far is the beach access for the Cottages at camp Creek?

Walton Lakeshore at Inlet Beach is about a 5 min. drive east; Lakewood Drive is about a 5 min. drive west.

[kareshack]

Hi we are staying at seagrove beach on Periwinkle Lane- does anyone know anything about access here. We are coming and will have a blast regardless- but this would just kill my curiosity

[beachbunny]

If anyone knows the best access in blue mountain beach ,it would be appreciated.I am afraid to just go down the hill where the public access was.

[sunsetdunes]

Walton Lakeshore at Inlet Beach is about a 5 min. drive east; Lakewood Drive is about a 5 min. drive west.

Just remember there is no parking at South Walton Lakeshore.

[Camp Creek Kid]

Just remember there is no parking at South Walton Lakeshore.

Sorry. You are correct. How about a 10 min. bike ride?

[VJM123]

We are coming down the 2nd week of August. We stay off 30A at Summer's Edge - Amazing Place. My question is this: will the beaches and businesses be back to some sort of normalicy or should we reschedule our trip?

I'm still waiting from the property owner on how the house held up.

Thanks from St. Louis

[kurt]

We are coming down the 2nd week of August. We stay off 30A at Summer's Edge - Amazing Place. My question is this: will the beaches and businesses be back to some sort of normalicy or should we reschedule our trip?

I'm still waiting from the property owner on how the house held up.

Thanks from St. Louis

Yes, everything is basically normal now except beach accesses.

[Jennifer Steele]

Just heard from Seaside's head of security that the one open beach access (behind Roly Poly) will only be open to Seaside homeowners and registered guests.

[sunsetdunes]

And here is the notice of when the beaches "officially" reopen.

-----Original Message-----
From: Sara Comander
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 9:52 AM
Subject: FW: Hurricane Dennis News Release 25 Please note correction

Correction: The beaches are reopening on Thursday, July 14, 2005


Sara Comander
Public Information Coordinator
Events Coordinator
312 College Avenue, Unit B
DeFuniak Springs, Fl 32435
(850) 892-8065, ext 262 (EOC)
Fax: (850) 892-8069 (EOC)
Email: comsara@co.walton.fl.us
Office phone: 850-892-8530

[irish9697]

We arrive on the 16th at Seashore Village, that's the east side of Seagrove, just before the 30A/Eastern Lake Road turn. Any idea on the best beach access for us? Will we need to drive to Seaside? And, if we did that, would they let us on there? Might there be something closer? I am more familiar with western Seagrove/Seaside than the east side.

I am so excited, though! We were there in May but since we knew we were coming back in July, we didn't say our proper "goodbye for a year" to the area...so, I'm dying for The Seagrove Village Market Cafe, Goatfeather's, Shades, Pickles, bike rides, long walks on the path, the Red Bar...

I will continue checking this site, Seaside's site, and the TDC's site, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

By the way, I am thrilled at Emily's supposed path. Don't get me wrong, I adore the Yucatan Peninsula, but I am just so thrilled that she's supposedly not headed this way. I hope she dies out quickly and causes minimal harm. Statistically, I know we should be safe for a while, but obviously Dennis proved those statistics wrong...

[kurt]

We arrive on the 16th at Seashore Village, that's the east side of Seagrove, just before the 30A/Eastern Lake Road turn. Any idea on the best beach access for us? Will we need to drive to Seaside? And, if we did that, would they let us on there? Might there be something closer? I am more familiar with western Seagrove/Seaside than the east side.

I am so excited, though! We were there in May but since we knew we were coming back in July, we didn't say our proper "goodbye for a year" to the area...so, I'm dying for The Seagrove Village Market Cafe, Goatfeather's, Shades, Pickles, bike rides, long walks on the path, the Red Bar...

I will continue checking this site, Seaside's site, and the TDC's site, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

By the way, I am thrilled at Emily's supposed path. Don't get me wrong, I adore the Yucatan Peninsula, but I am just so thrilled that she's supposedly not headed this way. I hope she dies out quickly and causes minimal harm. Statistically, I know we should be safe for a while, but obviously Dennis proved those statistics wrong...

For the next couple of weeks I feel pretty sure that access will be limited to walk on spots. Except for the private walkovers that had relatively minor damage and/or can move quickly with materials and labor.

After Ivan, people made their own accesses by climbing down a few feet or more, or cutting through beside accesses, etc. Seaside should be fine as they are pretty laid back and have never been harsh with visitors, whether you're staying there or not.

The accesses at Fort Panic in Dune Allen and Ed Walline in Santa Rosa Beach have plenty of parking and are walk on beside the walkover.

Don't forget about the State parks.

[PrincessKel]

We are staying in West Seagrove, 1 block from Seaside... where is the best/safest beach access
So very excited to be there on Saturday!!

Thanks for all the great information everyone has provided.

[bhilyer]

Thanks for the Beach Access Map!
It will help a lot when trying to plan time out on the beach.

[beachbunny]

Any news about water quality,and when swimming will be allowed?

[kurt]

Any news about water quality,and when swimming will be allowed?

The water is looking good. No change on flag conditions.

[Camp Creek Kid]

The water is looking good. No change on flag conditions.

In case anyone missed this--yellow flags are now up. Kurt has posted this info elsewhere on the boards.

[Shutters]

Any word from the TDC on when and where the rebuilding of walkovers will begin? I called them last Friday and was told they were in meetings with the DEP, county comish, etc. etc but they would be posting on their web site ASAP. Today still nothing. I know it's a government agency so things move slowly, but c'mon folks, let's get it going. I'd sure like to see crews out there rebuilding this week. Any signs of movement down there on the beach?

[Beach Runner]

The water is looking good. No change on flag conditions.

Are the beaches and the Gulf clean enough for someone with a compromised immune system, such as someone with CMV? Someone I know with CMV is coming down next week and staying off Eastern Lake Road. I've heard there were septic tanks exposed in that area due to the severe damage to the beachfront properties there.

[kurt]

Are the beaches and the Gulf clean enough for someone with a compromised immune system, such as someone with CMV? Someone I know with CMV is coming down next week and staying off Eastern Lake Road. I've heard there were septic tanks exposed in that area due to the severe damage to the beachfront properties there.

All the water along the beaches has tested "good", which means no (normal levels) of bacteria. And - the Eatsern Lake outfall is closed to the Gulf now so there is no runoff anyhow.

Water Sampling Results

[ssperry57]

Have you heard anything related to going in the water? Specifically, are you allowed to enter the water in Gulf Trace and Grayton Beach? Thanks, Scott

[groveral]

Any info on access across from Andalusia? If not open, any time known to re-open?
Thank you for all of this information....

[Kim Smith]

Kurt,

Does anyone have any information on what acceses made the top 21 list and also an update as to which accesses are now complete?

[kurt]

Kurt,

Does anyone have any information on what acceses made the top 21 list and also an update as to which accesses are now complete?

I haven't seen a list but will look for one.

The official list of open accesses are in the first post of this thread and kept updated. Things are moving slowly, however there are more accesses than shown on the first post, just not rebuilt.

[indy]

My family and Inlaws will be coming down to on Sunday (8-7-05) . We are staying at Blue Mountian Beach...We've never stayed there before. What is the current condition of beach access & the Blue Mountain Beach area in general?

Thanks.

[Smiling JOe]

From http://partners.beachesofsouthwalton...ach_Access.asp

Open Beach Access Points as of 7/22/05:

• Dune Allen Regional Access: Located on 30-A; west of Oyster Lake at Fort Panick Rd.
• Ed Walline Regional Access: Located at the intersection of Hwy. 30-A and County Rd. 393.
• Grayton Beach Regional Access: Located at the end of DeFuniak Street in Grayton Beach.
• Inlet Access: Located at the end of Lakeshore Drive, one block east of Orange St.
• Walton Dunes: Located at the end of Beach Front Trail east of Eastern Lake adjacent
to Dunes of Seagrove.
• Sugar Dunes: Off of Sanroy Rd., east of Eastern Lake in Lakewood Community.
• Area east of Pompano Joe’s off Scenic Gulf Drive.
• Area east of Whale’s Tail off Scenic Gulf Drive.