Tents Size Allowed On the Beach in South Walton

[gailforce]

Code Enforcement was driving down the beach and was stopped by tourists. Noticing that he wasn't in a hurry, we asked him about a tents size etc, rather than go up and fill out the form. That's exactly what he said to do. Go fill out the online form.

 

[John G]

Code Enforcement was driving down the beach and was stopped by tourists. Noticing that he wasn't in a hurry, we asked him about a tents size etc, rather than go up and fill out the form. That's exactly what he said to do. Go fill out the online form.

And he / she collects a check...

Absolutely Worthless!

 

[happy2Bme]

It's amazing that, in such a small piece of Paradise, one can find so much to whine about.......jeez, try finding the good to share (there is a lot).

 

[Beach days]

Maybe we should look at going ahead with beach renurishment for more room. It worked out great in Carillion beach

 

[FactorFiction]

The main problem with people getting upset about tents seems to be that they didn't know ahead of time. With almost everything we have issues with on the beaches of South Walton, the root of the problem is a lack of education and notification. While there are always a few people who will think the rules do not apply to them ("I've been coming here for 10 years and have always done this or that"), most people are happy to comply if they just know what the "rules" are. If they know the rules ahead of time and don't like them, they'll generally go elsewhere. The problem comes in when they don't know the rules and they have planned and prepared thinking that they are going to go to the beach to set up their brand new 12'x12' canopy, stock it with a whole day's worth of food, drinks, diapers, toys, floats, and whatever else they think they need to stay all day, they have a hole digging competition, maybe smoke and drink or have a party, and THEN.....they find out that they can't have a tent larger than 6'x6' and all of a sudden, their outdoor kitchen/family/rec room is out of compliance. Education gets even more significant once beachgoers spread out on to privately owned beaches. How can anyone tell which white sand is truly public and which is customary use? How do we make sure that people know the difference in the rules when on public beach vs. customary use beach? We can do better at educating our locals and our tourists. This would be a fitting project for the TDC. Let's "market" the beauty of our beaches, the uniqueness of our environment and wildlife, the protections needed to preserve what we have, and the rules that allow everyone to enjoy the beach together.

Before someone points it out, enforcement of the rules is a critical component, too.

 

[John G]

The main problem with people getting upset about tents seems to be that they didn't know ahead of time. With almost everything we have issues with on the beaches of South Walton, the root of the problem is a lack of education and notification. While there are always a few people who will think the rules do not apply to them ("I've been coming here for 10 years and have always done this or that"), most people are happy to comply if they just know what the "rules" are. If they know the rules ahead of time and don't like them, they'll generally go elsewhere. The problem comes in when they don't know the rules and they have planned and prepared thinking that they are going to go to the beach to set up their brand new 12'x12' canopy, stock it with a whole day's worth of food, drinks, diapers, toys, floats, and whatever else they think they need to stay all day, they have a hole digging competition, maybe smoke and drink or have a party, and THEN.....they find out that they can't have a tent larger than 6'x6' and all of a sudden, their outdoor kitchen/family/rec room is out of compliance. Education gets even more significant once beachgoers spread out on to privately owned beaches. How can anyone tell which white sand is truly public and which is customary use? How do we make sure that people know the difference in the rules when on public beach vs. customary use beach? We can do better at educating our locals and our tourists. This would be a fitting project for the TDC. Let's "market" the beauty of our beaches, the uniqueness of our environment and wildlife, the protections needed to preserve what we have, and the rules that allow everyone to enjoy the beach together.

Before someone points it out, enforcement of the rules is a critical component, too.

Great point about education. That falls to the TDC. They Failed. About the only thing they are good at is throwing away $$$.

At least the local Wal-Mart has laminated signs telling people about the tent restrictions...

 

[debesquire]

Interesting article today in Failing New York Times about controversy on Jersey Shore beaches about what is becoming known as "beachspreading"- defined as people coming to the beach early to set up sprawling tents and canopies close to the shore to "stake their claim" on prime waters edge real estate.

 

[steel1man]

Maybe we should look at going ahead with beach renurishment for more room. It worked out great in Carillion beach

That train left the station forever. Beach front homeowners saw to that, government paid-for beach insurance for 30 years. Owners NO WAY....who rules SOWAL?

 

[steel1man]

That train left the station forever. Beach front homeowners saw to that, government paid-for beach insurance for 30 years. Owners NO WAY....who rules SOWAL?

Bay County also makes Vendors setup 20' or so back from the wet sand. So non paying ( on free beaches) visitors have a fair shake.

 

[happy2Bme]

It's amazing that, in such a small piece of Paradise, one can find so much to whine about.......jeez, try finding the good to share (there is a lot).

Thanks for the thumbs down, happy Gilmore.