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.
