Seaside...Welcome or Not

so, now is the perfect time to go to Seaside and enjoy the beautiful scenery and just walk around, etc. plenty of parking! and they do rely on us locals quite a bit during the offseason. I think Seaside has always known the importance of inclusion. heck, they are the only resort town I know of that offers recreation/pool & fitness to anyone who wants to pay for it. I'm thinking of joining up just to have pool access year round. also, I hope to have our little one in the Seaside Neighborhood School someday - which offers a variety of experiences within the community of Seaside and beyond.

Why not create an association (If there is not one) that represents the entire Sowal group and area. We elect these folks into office to represent just us. They are required to attend all city and county as well as state functions concerning our area. They go to county meetings with "OUR" agenda and present it and we count at the polls when its time. I am open on this just flashed through my head as I drove through Seaside this morning. What say you?

While this sounds like a great idea, I can guarantee you from years of experience with organizing groups of any kind, that if you have more than 2 people in this association you will have a disagreement on the agenda that represents the group. What is "ours" to one person is something entirely different to another. Good luck getting anyone to agree.

Something else to always remember, those against something are always very vocal, those that support something hardly ever make that known.

They were then told that Seaside is a private community and is only for homeowners or guests of Seaside

It think it would be wrong to think that the actions of this person represents a community such as Seaside.

Who is to say that this person even lives in Seaside. And even if they do, you are always going to have some that can't get outside of thier own personal agenda to welcome others in. That is their personal problem, not a representation of the entire community. For every one such person, you will find many others that are the opposite.

We already have SWCC, and I have a lot of respect for Anita Page. Adding yet another organization would be redundant and diffuse our efforts IMO.

I'm with you, Toots. I enjoy Seaside. I don't go to the beach there because I have better beach access at our home. But I enjoy dining and shopping at Seaside.

would it be possible to post the article from the seaside times that prompted this thread? would love to read it!!

we stayed in seaside for spring break, sometimes Christmas, sometimes summer vacation, for 10 years before building a house in seagrove. we watched the community grow throughout the 90s. we have also noticed a change in seaside of late - decidedly chilly! a real shame - it has always been a fun place in which to shop, eat and stroll. the developer and businesses might want to get a handle on it.

We already have SWCC, and I have a lot of respect for Anita Page. Adding yet another organization would be redundant and diffuse our efforts IMO.

I'm with you, Toots. I enjoy Seaside. I don't go to the beach there because I have better beach access at our home. But I enjoy dining and shopping at Seaside.

it's just a wonderful place to be. I can't say we do much dining there. but we do halloween and christmas parade, and lots of concerts, tons and tons of shopping, great coffee and groceries at Modica, Seaside Store has great tshirts, etc, ....

Food? well, no. would rather go anywhere else.

but, funn and friendly gathering place? yes!!! all the way!!!

if you ask me, we're fortunate to have a place like Seaside - it does not have to open up completely as it does to the community. no other resort community on 30A does this. unless they are having an event and trying to lure you there. however, Seaside is just there for you to come and enjoy. period.

I think the signs are nothing new, and maybe Susan didn't know this.

If you've ever read up on The Walt Disney Company, especially "Disney Wars", you're familiar with how Michael Eisner and his minions tried to reduce long-term maintenance, enforce rules, and put up warning signs at Disney World and Disney land. Many negative actions developed under Eisner, leading the late Walt Disney's brother Roy to state that Eisner and crew had turned the Walt Disney Company into a "rapacious, soul-less" company.

Whether it's Town Council, SCDC, DSA or individual homeowner factions, the negatives in Seaside that have developed need to stop. Period. Fight over, let's kiss and make up, enjoy why we all came to this magical place.

Take down the negative signs and realize that saying "sure, enjoy this place" is much nicer than "no, you can't, because I said so".

Seaside is all about the kids. The kids are making memories that will last a lifetime. It warms my heart to see kids of all ages playing in Seaside. And adults acting like kids. Most of the kids in Seaside don't own there. They are lucky to be able to visit. Hopefully one day they will grow into fine adults who realize they are lucky.

We've been watching this thread with sadness, as it hurts when our beloved Seaside appears to have strayed from its open, welcoming mindset. However, Kurt snapped it all back into reality with the quote above.

Many of you on SoWal.com know us, and there are many more we know only through postings, but hope to meet someday. We own Fired Up Paint-Your-Own Pottery, a happy place where kids can be kids, families can spend time together, couples can celebrate weddings, anniversaries, babies, and more.

Our business has been in Seaside 12 years, and much has changed within Seaside in that time, some positive, some less than anticipated. However, I can tell you that Fired Up is finishing up its best year ever, and it is because kids don't read the signs, see the negatives, and comment on them in the same harmful way we adults do.

Kids just want to have fun. We have kids of our own, and we're thankful we've become one of those welcoming places in Seaside where kids can see and feel the fun as soon as they walk through our door.

This thread should ultimately be about ideas for bringing back the magic of Seaside in all areas, not creating more councils, meetings, and committees. If ever there were a time in Seaside's history where Robert Davis could step in and remind folks why Seaside should be about people, and kids, their dogs, and the beach, now would be a good time...

Please, bring your kids and come enjoy Seaside through their eyes. Roll in the grass, stroll through the shops, enjoy theatre and comedy at the Rep. Enjoy the magic within Seaside that Kurt reminds us of through our kids eyes.

Oh, and one last thing: Happy Holidays to you and your kids...enjoy Christmas through their eyes this year.

Most of the private signs at the pavilions were new this year, except for the one by the "dining pavilion" which was posted after Hurricane Dennis (I think) in 2004. The private marquees at each of the roads into seaside off of 30A were new as of this year. I disagree about Seaside opening its doors to the public. They really only open the stores and the ampitheater lawn to the public, and post signs everywhere else, noting that its private. Heck, even WaterColor doesn't have "private" signs posted on their parks, bridges, trails and beach access walkovers, and the roads are available for the pubic to drive or walk upon.

Seaside is like a second home to me. I love to just walk around shop, eat, and meet friends. The Davis family had a dream and I believe it has grown even bigger than they ever imagined. Seaside has changed some and it will change some more. I think of many of the business owners as family. I love to stop in and catch up on my old friends.
I worked for B and B Resort and Josephine's Bed and Breakfast. I could tell you many stories about our local history but instead I just want to say Seaside is a beautiful place with people that will welcome you and if you choose to see anything else I guess you will.

so, now is the perfect time to go to Seaside and enjoy the beautiful scenery and just walk around, etc. plenty of parking! and they do rely on us locals quite a bit during the offseason. I think Seaside has always known the importance of inclusion. heck, they are the only resort town I know of that offers recreation/pool & fitness to anyone who wants to pay for it. I'm thinking of joining up just to have pool access year round. also, I hope to have our little one in the Seaside Neighborhood School someday - which offers a variety of experiences within the community of Seaside and beyond.

Hmmmm... Does this mean people who don't own at Seaside can pay to use the pool on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis? Do you have more info on this, Tootsie (or anyone)? I'm assuming it's a heated pool?

Does Rosemary Beach offers non-owners the ability to pay to use their pool as well? Heated pool?

As for this conversation, I've enjoyed visiting Seaside for the past 5 years and I like it that I can participate in the good things offered by that community or avoid it - it's always my choice. I haven't tested their boundaries by using the boardwalks, beach, or walking through the neighborhoods (I did drive through them once) though I'd like to make walking through Seaside one of my regular walks when I get down there (but never seem to get myself there!).

I love this quote and it seems relevant:
"The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven." John Milton

For me, SoWal and the many beach communities, including Seaside, are a piece of heaven on earth.

Those huge intimidating signs on the beach are most definitely new.

I know you can pay to join the Rosemary fitness center regardless of where you live. Not sure if membership includes the pool.

Hmmmm... Does this mean people who don't own at Seaside can pay to use the pool on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis? Do you have more info on this, Tootsie (or anyone)? I'm assuming it's a heated pool?

Does Rosemary Beach offers non-owners the ability to pay to use their pool as well? Heated pool?

Paula: you can pay an annual fee to Seaside for pools and tennis courts. there is a pool they cover during winter and it is heated (spidey took swim lessons there one winter).

you can pay to use Rosemary Beach fitness center, and tennis facility. I don't know about pool.


Beach Bimmer - love love love your post.

SJ - maybe Seaside has new signs, but I do know they have always had signs at each entrance to the residential area stating that the roads were for residents and guests use only. those have been there forever. we always comment on them whenever we violate them - which has been about a million times.

And it does make sense to restrict vehicle traffic in residential areas since the roads seem so very narrow (more so than in Watercolor) and more than half the people who would drive in the area, owner or registered guest or no, seem to be driving a giant SUV.

If they've been yelling at people for just walking around north of 30-A, then that becomes another story.

SJ - maybe Seaside has new signs, but I do know they have always had signs at each entrance to the residential area stating that the roads were for residents and guests use only. those have been there forever. we always comment on them whenever we violate them - which has been about a million times.

You are correct about the private street signs on the posts, but I was specifically referring to the marquees which they added this year at the entrance to each street. The SWFD made them remove those, along with the other center posts, which prohibited firetrucks from entering the streets.

From today's Walton Sun :

Seaside required to remove signs
December 21, 2007
By Sean Boone

The Seaside Town Council removed its middle-street signs last week due to accessibility issues. The community was told by the South Walton Fire District that they violated fire code and needed to be removed immediately.
The signs, which sat in the middle of each street corner adjacent to County Road 30A, made it very difficult for larger emergency vehicles to get around.
SWFD Life Safety Coordinator Kay Money said that the signs were against fire code and that the streets were just too small for them.
“We had a worker fall off a roof recently and we could not get to him because of the blocked access,” she said. “We had to remove two signs to get back there.”

and yesterday's NW Florida News:

Seaside removes signs that violated fire code
NW Florida Daily News
Thursday December 20th, 2007
The Seaside Town Council removed its middle-street signs last week due to accessibility issues. The community was told by the South Walton Fire District that they violated fire code and needed to be removed immediately.

The signs, which sat in the middle of each street corner adjacent to County Road 30A, made it very difficult for larger emergency vehicles to get around.

SWFD Life Safety Coordinator Kay Money said that the signs were against fire code and that the streets were just too small for them.

“We had a worker fall off a roof recently and we could not get to him because of the blocked access,” she said. “We had to remove two signs to get back there.”

i think that the problem with Seaside as a whole is pretty much the same as WC. you have so many factions in place that are making up the town. take for instance the CRA rental agency that is run by who "interwest" from who know where and then each street in Seaside has it's own association and then you have the homeowners association as a whole. I know that last season the Tupalo association moved ahead on some things that would be construed as "un-inviting" based on their needs not Seasides. As far as comments concerning a group that would sit in on some of these meetings; it would be farfetched to me. the battles I hear about just between the renters and private homeowners seem down right bloody at times. then take into account people starting to spend more time in the private homes and renters paying top dollar to stay in other homes. you can go on and on. Kurt is right in so many ways about just for the kids. I walk Seaside and WC everyday, it would seem to me the only way is to get everyone to a discussion table and find tolerance but at the same time. who could get that started even in each of those communities themselves let alone Seagrove or other area's that touch these? I've heard the sides, i empathize with some of each argument. very hard stuff! I really think the Beach tide ruling is the answer to some of this. take it to a state/fed level and then see how some of this plays out.

Montana, do you care to share the "Beach tide ruling" with us? I have no clue as to what you are talking about when you say that.

i'm refering to the arguments in the "led away in handcuffs" thread. Mean tide? Hight tide? wet sand/mean tide? what ever! just the fact that if you don't want people on your land right now is the time to speak up .....thus, all the signage. if the county/state/usa rules on that at some time then maybe it would stop all of the other signage? I'm of the thinking that it stems from that more than anything.

Oh, I see. I was a bit confused by the new term. I agree that the signage was likely recently placed, at the request of Seaside's attorney to stop the public use which has been happening since Seaside began many years ago. Interestingly, I haven't seen any signs stating that the beach is private in Seaside -- only signs that the accesses in Seaside are private.

Those new signs on the beach do not specifically state that the beach is private, but imho they imply it. Especially to someone from somewhere else who is not familiar with the whole private/public beach legal mess. My guess is that they have been recently placed because the new parking lot at the access between Seaside and WaterColor will be opening soon. They are intended to steer the riff raff to the west, away from Seaside's beaches, and they will probably work. I sat at the top of the walkover there recently and watched a few people approach the west end sign from WaterColor. It got their attention - most everyone stopped and stared at it for a while. Then some people turned back, and some others kept on going, but cautiously, if I am any judge of body language.

Those new signs on the beach do not specifically state that the beach is private, but imho they imply it. Especially to someone from somewhere else who is not familiar with the whole private/public beach legal mess. My guess is that they have been recently placed because the new parking lot at the access between Seaside and WaterColor will be opening soon. They are intended to steer the riff raff to the west, away from Seaside's beaches, and they will probably work. I sat at the top of the walkover there recently and watched a few people approach the west end sign from WaterColor. It got their attention - most everyone stopped and stared at it for a while. Then some people turned back, and some others kept on going, but cautiously, if I am any judge of body language.

Do you mind sharing your definition of Riff Raff ?
Interesting use of words IMO.

I will say the peeps at the toy store were very nice there in Xmas pasts. They even gift wrapped. Some of the stores are fuNN. They probably don't like the signs either.

Some of the stores are fuNN. They probably don't like the signs either.

We don't like the signs either...

...and we own one of the stores in Seaside that tries every day to be FUNN!

Your Fired Up Friends

Watercolor is currently addressing the "golf cart" issue, not trying to keep people out but for liaibility reasons we felt all carts should conform to Florida regs and be insured in case someone got run over. The Seaside sign seems to be just trying to do the same thing.

How about biking? In years past, my family has enjoyed bike rides through Seaside and Watercolor streets - not everyday - just once or twice during our week there to enjoy the architecture and beauty of the neighborhoods. We also stop for drinks and snacks and shopping. We do not use beach accesses, and we're always respectful, especially since we understand the roads and property belong to others. When we bike through in April and June this year, are we in danger of being told to leave?

How about biking? In years past, my family has enjoyed bike rides through Seaside and Watercolor streets - not everyday - just once or twice during our week there to enjoy the architecture and beauty of the neighborhoods. We also stop for drinks and snacks and shopping. We do not use beach accesses, and we're always respectful, especially since we understand the roads and property belong to others. When we bike through in April and June this year, are we in danger of being told to leave?

Sounds like you already know that riding your bicycles on private streets is not permitted.