Is SoWal ready for it's own miniature golf course?

Why isn't it allowed?

Certainly it meets the height requirement, and if designed properly could have less pavement/heat gain and more greenery than most Sowal houses and developments.

I have been agitating for a bowling alley or similiar underage/non bar evening activity. Mini golf would be FUNN and would give the gangs of teens something to do besides ride unlit bikes in the dark and scream the F word!

Why isn't it allowed?

Certainly it meets the height requirement, and if designed properly could have less pavement/heat gain and more greenery than most Sowal houses and developments.

I have been agitating for a bowling alley or similiar underage/non bar evening activity. Mini golf would be FUNN and would give the gangs of teens something to do besides ride unlit bikes in the dark and scream the F word!

Someone more familiar with the LDC would have to answer that question. Hard to believe you have never been curious as to why there are no such facilities in sowal though.

I didn't think there wasn't one because it was specifically forbidden, I figured there wasn't one due to lack of year-round demand/profit margin.

While mini-golf would be funn on occassion, it isn't even on the list of 20 things I would like to have here.

I think it would be quite popular most of the year. I don't know how the numbers work on one of those places but it seems the cost of land may be too high? Maybe if it were combined with go carts, arcade, etc. like the track in Destin.

We like The Track in Destin, but it seems that whenever we decide to go they're not open. We don't like to go when it's busy, and I guess they don't like to be open when it's not.

HOPE NOT!!!!!

Once it starts, the next thing you will have is go carts, ferris wheels,
"kiddi rides" and other commercialized junk! Then, why not have fast food drive-ins and then a Walmart. The entire draw to southwal is the chance to get away from things like that and enjoy nature and the area.
Maybe one day we can have MTV here too.............................

Remember: every snoball starts with just one snowflake!!!

Keep it all in Destin or PCB!!

Just my opinion!!!

Thanks

I think the scenic corridor totally nipped that in the bud, but even before that it was not allowed, if I remember correctly. How about an arty upscale version. It could look like a piece of art. It could be away from the road. I have always thought it would be nice to have something like that for kids. I want to be involved!!!

One would think a good hedge or putting it away from the road would solve any "scenic" issues.

Or just do something tastefull - more Alys gatehouse than clown's mouth, xeriscape native plants instead of palm trees and astroturf etc.

One would think a good hedge or putting it away from the road would solve any "scenic" issues.

Or just do something tastefull - more Alys gatehouse than clown's mouth, xeriscape native plants instead of palm trees and astroturf etc.

Art is in the eye of the beholder. Are we now getting back to the real wal-mart issue again?

I was just responding to it not being allowed due to "scenic" issues. A hedge or being away from the road isn't art.

And since mini-golf isn't an evil corporate giant that devours your soul, Wal-mart has nothing to do with it.

We used to have one. I remember where it was, does anyone else? Hint: There is a church there now if memory serves me right. Used to be an on again off again package store.

I was just responding to it not being allowed due to "scenic" issues. A hedge or being away from the road isn't art.

And since mini-golf isn't an evil corporate giant that devours your soul, Wal-mart has nothing to do with it.

Ah come on now. There use to be literally hundreds of Putt Putt courses across this country. I guess they are now extinct. One day so will wal mart only to be replaced by something else.

Miniature golf does not have to look like Putt-Putt, I have played at several that were simply a smaller version of a golf course. One possibly even incorporating local landmarks, well done it would be as attractive as the local playground areas.

Miniature golf does not have to look like Putt-Putt, I have played at several that were simply a smaller version of a golf course. One possibly even incorporating local landmarks, well done it would be as attractive as the local playground areas.

Well I do not think it will happen. Walton County LDC, Chapter 13, page 9 of 38, under prohibited uses in the Scenic Corridor, Water parks, go carts, arcades, amusement parks, miniature golf courses, batting cages, or any other project which are primarily used for the purposes of outdoor entertainment (not including public and private golf courses). Also any imitation of natural or manmade features including, but not limited to, mountains, volcanoes, gorges, animals, dinosaurs, windmills, oil derricks, ariplanes or any other artificial depiction.


I always heard that golf courses were one of the most ecological unsound things you could have in an area, due to water and fertilizer usage. Yet that appears to be the only thing you can have in sowal. Sort of goes against the whole environmentally friendly thing, does it not?

Also any imitation of natural or manmade features including, but not limited to, mountains, volcanoes, gorges, animals, dinosaurs, windmills, oil derricks, ariplanes or any other artificial depiction.

Based on that description I am surprised the Alys Beach playground survived.

I was just responding to it not being allowed due to "scenic" issues. A hedge or being away from the road isn't art.

And since mini-golf isn't an evil corporate giant that devours your soul, Wal-mart has nothing to do with it.

Start a hedge fund!

Robert, is the scenic corridor 30-A or does it include HWY 98, 331, etc?

Robert, is the scenic corridor 30-A or does it include HWY 98, 331, etc?

I am reading 30-A, I think somewhere else in this huge book of regulations it says 98, and I am pretty sure 331 to the bridge based on a case that went to the BCC looking for an exception to display a model home. It also includes all connector roads to 30-a, south of 98.


Like most things, the playground may have survived because they have not gotten a complaint about it being in violation, if it is.


I found it. 13.02.01 covers 98 and 331. Withing 400' of the edge of pavement. According to this then the four laning of 331 is going to expand the scenic corridor a bit.

The 30-A scenic corridor only applies to properties that are contiguous to the applicable roads and connector roads.

I guess it is illegal, but could there be a better use for the 'ruins' of Chateau de Paris than mini golf?!

By the way, Alys has a windmill near the back of the property, but they are probably grinding wheat or something back there.

I didn't think there wasn't one because it was specifically forbidden, I figured there wasn't one due to lack of year-round demand/profit margin.

While mini-golf would be funn on occassion, it isn't even on the list of 20 things I would like to have here.

What's on your top 20 list scooterbug? Would love to hear some ideas for our area.

I'm not SB, but I know lots of young year round families that would love a community pool; and the former Nature Walk area would be perfect for a community center and pool...and one could probably even "hide" a putt putt course back there...and make it fit the natural look of the area...it could be done with taste.

NOOOOOOO. . . . Mini golf is so typical touristy. I'm all for recreation but I'd like to see something more unique.

What's on your top 20 list scooterbug? Would love to hear some ideas for our area.

I can't remember them all right now, but it includes a community pool w/ a swim/dive team, community college branch w/ classes geared towards older folks (basic car repair, languages etc.), public tennis & basketball courts, free health clinic, 20+ vendor farmer's market, and a movie theatre.

Some of which are already in the works.

I'm not SB, but I know lots of young year round families that would love a community pool; and the former Nature Walk area would be perfect for a community center and pool...and one could probably even "hide" a putt putt course back there...and make it fit the natural look of the area...it could be done with taste.

The putting area at WaterSound is classy. It is just a putting course. No fake statues, etc. and is surrounded by native vegetation. A screened porch is nearby for picnics. Nice bathroom and staging area for special events. Very low key, but a jewel of an asset for the resident or visiting family looking for an off beach activity. This could work well in a number of places.


Puttering Park at WaterSound. Putting area surrounded by native vegetation. Off of 30A and inside of resort. Could be copied in a number of areas in South Walton. This little building houses bathrooms and also is useful for staging catering for eclectic events held in this beautiful native area surrounded by conradina, palmetto, slash and loblolly pines and scrub oak.


Screened Porch area at WaterSound next to Puttering Park. A good off beach activity, can be used even during the rain. Slightly larger screened porch built in a number of native areas still available in South Walton and close to 30A would be useful for a number of activities from family reunions to casual lunch meetings.

thanks, Dunelaker, that's exactly what I had in mind...some creative person could add some sea turtles, a beach mouse or two; deer grazing, a bear....you get my point. It would be putt putt golf with a Sowal accent!