Another access issue

I don't remember all the details, but I think it was discovered upon investigation that that launch site is in fact on private property. Probably the fence runs along the end of the county easement. However, you can launch your kayak from a county-owned lot on Camp Creek Road. It is on the east side of the lake, north of 30A. I haven't been there in a while, so I am not sure if it is well-marked or not. Maybe someone else will come along and update us.
There were some plans in the works to upgrade the lot into a sort of park.

According to the Plat, that elongated strip of land bordering the Lake, is noted as "SRD Easement," and I have no idea what that means, but it doesn't appear to belong to any single property owner. Also, according to the parcel map with aerial photo overlay, there should be enough room to get into the Lake on the County Right of Way, but that overlay is not precise.

SRD is what the Fl. Dept of Transportation used to be called...State Road Department...eons ago.

I noticed holes dug the last time I was there, wondering what it was for. Now I know. I enjoyed the lake and will have to find the other access point mentioned here on Camp Creek rd. Other than the oyster shells scratching the bottom of my boat, this place was perfect.

Now that I think about it, is there an Oak St over there on the east side of the lake? If so, it is on Oak, not Camp Creek Rd.

well, I did a little exploring after lunch and found an unmarked dirt road off of Camp Creek Road. At the end of the road (two ruts really) I found a number of kayaks -- and a path leading down to the water. It was rough -- very rough -- and steep.

I'm not sure that I could get my kayak down there without a lot of help.

The thing about the easement near the bridge is that it was about a block and a half from my house. I just put my kayak on a couple of roller wheels that attach to the bottom and rolled it down to the water.

I think the owners there are upset because SOME people back small boats and trailers down in there -- and simply leave them there while they fish. I came down to kayak one day and could not get in because a pick up and trailer were simply left at the launch site. Very poor manners. There is always someone who comes along and wrecks it for the rest of us.

I don't know what I'll do now. My kayak is one of the bigger ones (because its owner is a rather hefty fellow). It's not like I can just lift it over my head and muscle it down to the water.

I did notice that there is a little gap between the private property markers and what appears to be a state marker of some kind. Maybe just big enough for a kayak to slip in. I just want to make sure that there is not a big deputy sheriff waiting on me when I return from paddling around the lake. .

bdub

So after I read your last post, I drove over there. You did find the place. Once there, I remembered where the "Oak St" came from. That is actually a platted road called Oak St.
I put in there with another woman a few years ago, and we helped each other take out again. You are right, it is steep.
The Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board was looking at developing this, literally years ago. A low key project to make it easier to launch, and to cut down on erosion from folks scrambling up and down. I see nothing has been done since.
Another lost recreational opportunity.

The CDLAB was working on public accesses and the Oak St site was included. Folks from St. Joe were going to help develop it, but then the market went south and that was that.
The access by the bridge was also a point for some misguided jet skiers a couple of years back. I think every resident on Camp Creek called the sheriff. My DH went down and advised them it was illegal to jet ski and they vamoosed.
still, the lake is too beautiful not to be enjoyed, by those who take care not to abuse the privilege.

No TDC funds available?

I'm still hoping that that someone can give me some firm answers about exactly where the state easement ends. How do we know that the land owner has it right?

The land owner clearly has the right to protect what is his or hers -- but shouldn't the general public be able to use state easements to access such a wonderful natural resource? I assume the land owners do not own the lake.

These dune lakes are so amazing -- those who are willing to abide by reasonable rules shouldn't be denied the the opportunity to access them. How bout it Walton County? Anything our community leaders can do for us here?

Bdub

Having a good rolodex is everything. I can report that Walton County officials will inspect what has been done to make sure the landowner is acting properly. I'll get back to you when I find out what they learn.

bdub

Depends on how long that access has been open, squatters rights may apply and the signs, posts, and ropes might be able to be removed. Many accesses have been closed off in an attempt to void the rights of the public and allow owners to develop on what are historically public accesses.

Thanks SWGB

This is my hope. I did find reference to some property lines over there being replatted at the county commissioners meeting February 28,2006. But my internet skills are not good enough to figure out if this is the lot.

The property owner has rights here. But the public may have an overriding interest. The good news is that it's been looked into very quickly. The longer those lines are allowed to stay up -- the more likely they will stay up forever.

Like the beach access issue, there is something sad about this movement to impinge on the public's long-standing access to the wonderful natural resources in this region.

I'm sure the landowner has a different view of this -- but it runs counter to the laid-back -- everybody gets along attitude that South Walton County has always been famous for.

bdub

One of the posts had it right when he/she said a couple of bad actors ruins things for everybody. I live not to far from this access and there are many times I have seen trucks and cars left on the access. Knowing how some people are I wouldn't be surprised if trash were left behind as well.

Perhaps some big ol' rocks could be the solution - keep folks from driving/parking but far enough apart that a person or kayak could slip through.

Reading between the lines it definitely seems that they got fed up w/ folks misusing the area - once again a couple arseholes ruined it for everyone!

I'm still hoping that that someone can give me some firm answers about exactly where the state easement ends. How do we know that the land owner has it right?

The land owner clearly has the right to protect what is his or hers -- but shouldn't the general public be able to use state easements to access such a wonderful natural resource? I assume the land owners do not own the lake.

These dune lakes are so amazing -- those who are willing to abide by reasonable rules shouldn't be denied the the opportunity to access them. How bout it Walton County? Anything our community leaders can do for us here?

Bdub

The question is, Who is the property owner? That large, Lake Front parcel I marked as the easement is not owned by a single person, as far as I can tell. Looking at the original plat of that sub-division, I also cannot tell whether it was a part of that property being sub-divided. If it was a part of that sub-division, it would not be an easement for public use, according to the wording on the plat. However, as someone noted, there may be a history of Customary Use, which may indeed open it for public use, since it was only recently that it was trying to be protected. I have a feeling that the area roped off, was done so by one person, who didn't want people down there, rather than the owner of record. (just my gut feeling)

Smiling Joe --

You are a fount of information. Can you point me in the direction of that plat information? I think you are on to something. If that little neighborhood is like my little neighborhood there is probably a home owners association. I wonder if they are involved or aware.

The guy who was putting up the barricade was an older gentleman wearing overalls. He was just wrapping up on Sunday afternoon when I first noticed it.

bdub

I have heard back from county officials -- and though there are still some i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed -- it appears this barricade will ultimately be removed.

I have heard back from county officials -- and though there are still some i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed -- it appears this barricade will ultimately be removed.

Good for you bdub!!!

I have heard back from county officials -- and though there are still some i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed -- it appears this barricade will ultimately be removed.

Good job!
So, is it in the right of way, or did they say?

Looking at the plat, my guess is that it is on easement shown in my above pic.

bdub, the subdivision name is Camp Creek Lake, and the plat is found in Plat Book 5, page 12 (Atlas Page 312). You can go to Walton County Clerk of Court's site,
click on "Public Records."
Click on "Official Records."
(accept disclaimer)
Select "Book Page"
Change the Book Type to "Plat"
Type "5" for Book
Type "12" for Page
Click on the first line item, on the hyper-link "1"
BEFORE clicking on View Image, go to upper right corner of page and click on settings. Change "Tiffy" to "pdf" and click "OK" (pop up box will close)
Now, click on "View Image."
The pdf of Camp Creek Lake S/D will load. You can enlarge, move around, save, print, email, etc. just like any other pdf file.

(That is the how-to for a little education. To go directly to that page, click here.

The first read from the county is that the barricade is on the easement.

Smiling Joe for County Commissioner and Mayor of SoWal!! Who knows more or cares more about Sowal? I'm continually amazed

Smiling Joe for County Commissioner and Mayor of SoWal!! Who knows more or cares more about Sowal? I'm continually amazed

It's not gonna happen. ;-)

Smiling Joe for County Commissioner and Mayor of SoWal!! Who knows more or cares more about Sowal? I'm continually amazed

There are some others, but I have to agree with you!