Grayton Beach State Park Invasion By TDC

Beach Fanatic

Jun 9, '17 · 9:55 AM6,954

Help Save Grayton Beach State Park!
The Walton County Tourist Development Council is urging The Florida Division of Recreation and Parks to develop the 100-acre natural area on the eastern side of Little Redfish Lake, this is referred to as the Western Unit of Grayton Beach State Park and is where the cabins are located. Public Meeting | Florida State Parks

The proposed amendment to the current plan would put a 24-car parking lot in the middle of the coastal scrub and a boat launch on Little Redfish Lake.

Why is this such a bad idea? Our State Parks are the only places where any natural landscapes will survive in South Walton. Every inch of private land will be developed. We should not allow development of our conservation lands due to lack of planning by Walton County.

Walton County is under pressure to pave over as much of the coastline as possible to allow for more and more beach Parking. I have been an advocate for more public beach access, however it should not happen at the expense of our rare and fragile ecosystems that will only survive in our conservation lands.

The Western Unit of Grayton Beach State Park :

One of the largest contiguous coastal scrub community in South Walton.
contains several depression marshes which are important breeding grounds for amphibians, and marsh and wading birds.
the shore of the smallest of the globally imperiled Coastal Dune Lake, Little Redfish Lake cannot support a dock and kayak use.
bald eagles are nesting in this 100 acre woods.

Grayton Beach State Park already has a large recreation area in the eastern section with a ranger station for monitoring entrance into the park. In 2013 the Grayton Beach State Park Management plan was approved. This current plan has improvements to the park that will provide enhanced recreation opportunities but not have negative impacts to the ecosystems. Some of these are:

New shared use trail with parking on the north side of 30A
primitive campsites north of 30A-Floating dock near existing boat ramp in Western Lake.
Improve existing Beach parking lot.

The public must demand that the Florida Division of Recreation and Parks manage our state parks to ensure the survival of plant and animals species and the conservation of finite and renewable resources.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP SAVE GRAYTON BEACH STATE PARK!
Attend the public hearing
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (CT). Presentation at 5:30 p.m.
PLACE: Northwest Florida State College, South Walton Center, Room 120,109 Greenway Trail (Off Highway 331 South), Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459.

Email the Florida Department of Environmental Protection FLStateParkPlanning@dep.state.fl.us
You can copy and paste the following or write your own comment. Put your name after the comment.
Subject: Deny the Proposed Amendment to Grayton Beach State Park Management Plan
Dear Grayton Beach State Park Planner,
I object to the proposed amendment to the Grayton Beach State Park Management Plan.
Please implement the recommendations for recreation that are in the current approved 2013 park plan. Thank you for your support

Replies

Beach Fanatic

Jun 9, '17 · 10:38 AM#2

Dear Walton County,

Please leave state parks and lands alone. Thank you.

Beach Fanatic

Jun 9, '17 · 10:53 AM#3

This so typical of TDC. To H** with people's desires and full speed ahead with,
"Paving Paradise and putting up parking lots". Also creating more beach vendors jobs. Pretty sure BCC elected members prefer more And more beach vendors

Skunky

Jun 9, '17 · 12:52 PM#4

Beach Fanatic

Jun 9, '17 · 1:40 PM#5

I think the state needs some of the county land. Parcel 1 is at corner of 331 and 98.

Beach Fanatic

Jun 9, '17 · 5:08 PM#6

TDC already took over Tops'l Preserve, brand new "PUBLIC PARKING" sign on the side of 30a, as of today.

What's so sad is that none of the money that the TDC pays for this parking, goes directly back to Tops'l, it goes to General Fund for the State...

Maybe we can save Grayton this time.

Beach Crab

Jun 10, '17 · 6:30 AM#7

It looks to me it's a FDEP project. Can we read. I see that this meeting isn't the TDC. I also see that every other State Park in the area has to do the same management plan. So does the TDC just want to take over Grayton? Why not the rest? FAKE NEWS.

Serving the Community!

Jun 10, '17 · 6:47 AM#8

Public Notices, Outreach & Education | Depnet

Grayton Beach State Park Public Meeting

Location:
Northwest Florida State College

Event Details:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks, announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (CT). Presentation at 5:30 p.m.

PLACE: Northwest Florida State College, South Walton Center, Room 120, 109 Greenway Trail (Off Highway 331 South), Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459.

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Presentation of the proposed unit management plan amendment for Grayton Beach State Park.

A COPY OF THE AGENDA MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING: Matthew Allen, Park Manager, Grayton Beach State Park, 357 Main Park Road, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459, PH# (850) 267-8300, FAX# (850) 267-8306 or email Matthew.Allen@dep.state.fl.us.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting: Matthew Allen as listed above.

If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

Attached Document:
Grayton Beach State Park PM Notice.pdf

Grayton Beach State Park PM Notice.pdf
,
Grayton Beach State Park PM Agenda.pdf

Grayton Beach State Park PM Agenda.pdf
,
Grayton Beach State Park Draft UMP Amendment.pdf

Grayton Beach State Park Draft UMP Amendment.pdf
,
Grayton Beach State Park Comment Form.pdf

Grayton Beach State Park Comment Form.pdf
,
Grayton Beach State Park Flyer.pdf

Grayton Beach State Park Flyer.pdf

Notice Date:
Jun 13 2017 -
5:00pm to 7:00pm

Beach Fanatic

Jun 10, '17 · 10:40 AM#9

TDC already took over Tops'l Preserve, brand new "PUBLIC PARKING" sign on the side of 30a, as of today.

What's so sad is that none of the money that the TDC pays for this parking, goes directly back to Tops'l, it goes to General Fund for the State...

Maybe we can save Grayton this time.

This is just summer parking. Unfortunate if Topsail doesn't get an appropriate portion of the money, but why do you object to this arrangement with the parks to allow parking in a mostly unused parking lot that exists already?

Beach Fanatic

Jun 10, '17 · 2:52 PM#10

This is just summer parking. Unfortunate if Topsail doesn't get an appropriate portion of the money, but why do you object to this arrangement with the parks to allow parking in a mostly unused parking lot that exists already?

Simply just that. The $$$ doesn't go directly back to Topsail Park. TDC funds go into the general fund and even park employees there don't like that...

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jun 10, '17 · 4:45 PM#11

It looks to me it's a FDEP project. Can we read. I see that this meeting isn't the TDC. I also see that every other State Park in the area has to do the same management plan. So does the TDC just want to take over Grayton? Why not the rest? FAKE NEWS.

Brian at the TDC told me that the TDC would fund the development of this area of Grayton Beach State Park. They want it to be open access and will likely quickly become another TDC vast parking lot. Parking for beach access is fine in the middle of already developed private land but not in the middle of conservation land.
Don't forget the TDC not long ago wanted 10 acres of Point Washington State Forest for a new Tourist center.

Beach Fanatic

Jun 10, '17 · 4:49 PM#12

Brian at the TDC told me that the TDC would fund the development of this area of Grayton Beach State Park. They want it to be open access and will likely quickly become another TDC vast parking lot. Parking for beach access is fine in the middle of already developed private land but not in the middle of conservation land.
Don't forget the TDC not long ago wanted 10 acres of Point Washington State Forest for a new Tourist center.

Sounds like a credible source stating the TDC is involved, as I know they are...

NO fake news here, just another opportunity to "take" for the sake of the Touron. SAY NO!!!!

Beach Fanatic

Jun 11, '17 · 11:28 AM#13

Simply just that. The $$$ doesn't go directly back to Topsail Park. TDC funds go into the general fund and even park employees there don't like that...

I get that and agree that Topsail should get the funds, but why do you say that TDC has taken over Topsail? Or are you just referring to the parking promotion?

Beach Fanatic

Jun 11, '17 · 12:55 PM#14

Where does the money go at other times of year when each car pays a $4 or $6 entrance fee at Topsail?

Beach Fanatic

Jun 11, '17 · 1:40 PM#15

I get that and agree that Topsail should get the funds, but why do you say that TDC has taken over Topsail? Or are you just referring to the parking promotion?

Sorry, I'm referring to the parking promotion. That money that TDC pays the State doesn't go to the Topsail Park. It goes to the General Fund. So our wonderful park, doesn't see a dime... That's my beef.

At least Topsail HAD the available parking there. The problem is NO ONE wants to walk the one mile to the beach from the parking lot OR Wait for the TDC funded tram to take them, every 30 min or so...

IMO, that's now why the focus is on Grayton, shorter walking distance to beach and no tram to operate.

Edited Jun 11, '17 · 1:46 PM

Beach Fanatic

Jun 11, '17 · 1:41 PM#16

Where does the money go at other times of year when each car pays a $4 or $6 entrance fee at Topsail?

I'm not sure but I bet Jason at the TDC (the Ex-Park Ranger for Topsail) would know...

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jun 11, '17 · 9:28 PM#17

Email the Florida Department of Environmental Protection FLStateParkPlanning@dep.state.fl.us
You can copy and paste the following or write your own comment. Put your name after the comment.
Subject: Deny the Proposed Amendment to Grayton Beach State Park Management Plan
Dear Grayton Beach State Park Planner,
I object to the proposed amendment to the Grayton Beach State Park Management Plan.
Please implement the recommendations for recreation that are in the current approved 2013 park plan. Thank you for your support

Beach Comber

Jun 13, '17 · 11:37 AM#18

I am surprised this is not getting any attention. No one has posted any information about this on other forums, Facebook, etc.

Beach Fanatic

Jun 13, '17 · 11:50 AM#19

I am surprised this is not getting any attention. No one has posted any information about this on other forums, Facebook, etc.

MSM and local TV being surpressed by BCC and TDC of Walton..At least that's their MO for decades.... Maybe we need to clean our swamp.........but $$$$$ speaks..........

Beach Lover

Jun 13, '17 · 11:48 PM#20

Email the Florida Department of Environmental Protection FLStateParkPlanning@dep.state.fl.us
You can copy and paste the following or write your own comment. Put your name after the comment.
Subject: Deny the Proposed Amendment to Grayton Beach State Park Management Plan
Dear Grayton Beach State Park Planner,
I object to the proposed amendment to the Grayton Beach State Park Management Plan.
Please implement the recommendations for recreation that are in the current approved 2013 park plan. Thank you for your support

I sent the email. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We MUST save what's left of Walton County's coastal beauty.

Beach Lover

Jun 13, '17 · 11:51 PM#21

,
MSM and local TV being surpressed by BCC and TDC of Walton..At least that's their MO for decades.... Maybe we need to clean our swamp.........but $$$$$ speaks..........

You know, if everyone on this thread called WHJG (Channel 7, NBC affiliate) tomorrow and politely asked them to look into the DEP proposal, do Walton County citizens want this, etc. I think they would do a piece on it. Local news are always looking for this stuff and WHJG is pretty good about Walton coverage. I'm calling them tomorrow.

Beach Lover

Jun 13, '17 · 11:55 PM#22

@soappedaler , how did the meeting go? Productive? I did not see this thread until tonight.

Beach Fanatic

Jul 13, '17 · 6:32 AM#23

Citizens React to Proposed Amendment to Grayton Beach State Park Unit Management Plan - The Defuniak Herald & Beach Breeze

By DOTTY NIST

Citizens recently had the opportunity to give their input on plans for the addition to Grayton Beach State Park (GBSP) of property on its west end and a proposed day use area at Little Redfish Lake, along with other proposed changes to the previously-approved unit management plan for the park.
Two public meetings were held in Walton County on the proposal on June 13 and June 14, both at the Northwest Florida State College Center in Santa Rosa Beach. The first meeting was in an open-house format, the second a meeting of the Grayton Beach State Park Advisory Group to obtain that group’s comments and recommendations, along with those of other members of the public in attendance.

Grayton Beach State Park currently contains 2,187 acres and is located along the gulf and CR-30A in south Walton County. The park property is located both south and north of the county road. The park has eastern and western units connected in the center by narrower park property, with the western unit featuring rental cabins. The eastern unit features campgrounds, beach access, a boat ramp on Western Lake, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and other activities.
At the June 13 meeting, Daniel Alsentzer, a planner for the state Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Office of Park Planning, spoke in detail about the park and the proposed amendment to its unit management plan, which had been approved in 2013. Approximately 75 people were in attendance at the meeting.

Park plans are usually updated every 10 years.

....