Inlet Beach Pedestrian Underpass Is In Final Stages

Here is an aerial view of the U.S. 98 pedestrian underpass construction underway in Inlet Beach.

Earlier this week, the FDOT posted an aerial view of the construction at the U.S. 98 pedestrian underpass in Inlet Beach. In this photo of the northern portion of the underpass, crews are forming the stairs for access from street level to the tunnel.

Construction of the new median roadway area is underway, and crews will soon begin the median curb and gutter. At least one lane will be closed at night while construction continues, from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

While the median curb construction could be complete by the end of October, the estimated completion of the pedestrian underpass is expected by the end of 2023.

Follow the Inlet Beach…

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South Walton Rated One of US News & World Report's Best High Schools

South Walton High School scored 93.95/100 based on college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, and graduation rate!

Here are a few more ratings we learned from the US News & World Reports: 

•  Ranked #70 out of 4,202 high schools in the state of Florida and #1,070 out of 42,634 high schools in the US. This puts South Walton in the Top 2% of Florida Schools.
•  73% participation rate in 27 different college-level Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
•  98% graduation rate for the 2022-23 school year.

Read their Full Report HERE.

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Making a Difference: Be a Part of the Lake Powell Cleanup Initiative

Volunteers needed for Lake Powell Cleanup Sept. 16, 2023

As part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, the Lake Powell Community Alliance, Friends of Camp Helen State Park, Bay County Audubon, and St Andrew Bay Watch invite you to participate in a community effort to clean up Lake Powell. 

Our little corner of the earth has a unique and precious resource - Lake Powell. Designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway in 1991, it is among the largest of the rare Coastal Dune Lakes that occur in only a few places worldwide. Lake Powell is known for its beauty, biodiversity, and exceptional recreational and educational opportunities. The Lake Powell Community Alliance (LPCA) is dedicated to protecting this natural resource.

Emily…

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The Latest Beach Access Improvements in South Walton

South Walton, FL - On Wednesday, August 9th, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and the Walton County Beach Operations and Tourism departments hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Eastern Lakes Municipal Parking facility at 400 Eastern Lake Road in Seagrove Beach, FL. 

This new beach access parking facility features 16 standard vehicle spaces, 18 low-speed vehicle spaces, and a bike plaza.  Developed to provide parking for the Eastern Lakes public beach access, it is steps away from where the Eastern Lake coastal dune lake outfall meets the beach.  Residents and visitors come to this location to enjoy its unique beauty, which until now was mainly accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists. 

There are four additional parking…

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Get Involved: "Keep Walton Scenic"

Only 300 more names are needed!

Over 2,700 locals have signed up to help keep Walton County scenic. Once a total of 3,000 names is reached, the State of Florida will manufacture Scenic Walton’s new charity license plates. Preview the license plate on 30a.com.

Scenic Walton is a nonprofit working on beautification projects throughout Walton County, including landscaping roadways, improving pedestrian cyclist paths, and under-grounding overhead utilities.

This is the only license plate that generates revenue for beautification projects in Walton County. Florida’s normal $33 registration fee is FREE for the first 3,000 people who sign-up.

When your new charity tag arrives later this year, the State of Florida will charge a “plate change” fee…

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State of the Arts: Discover What's New in the 30A Arts Community

Underwater Museum of Art (UMA):

The 2023 CODAworx jury recently selected the Top 100 finalists representing the best design and art projects! This year, artists submitted 411 projects from around the world for consideration. The awards recognize design projects demonstrating the most successful integration of commissioned art into an interior, architectural or public space. 

Now it's time to cast your vote: the top 2 projects receiving the most votes will be "crowned" People's Choice winners!! 

Voting is simple and easy. Click the "Vote" button below the "Underwater Museum of Art" project on the official voting site. You are only allowed to vote once per project. 

Cast your vote HERE today! The voting deadline is Monday, July 31, at 11:59…

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Walton County Provides Free Day-Use Admission to State Parks

South Walton, FL - Summer visitors to Walton County will once again enjoy complimentary day-use admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Walton County Tourism Department is paying the cost of entry for day-use visitors to increase available parking for beachgoers during the peak visitation season and raise awareness of the variety of eco-tourism activities South Walton offers. This year marks the ninth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the seventh for Grayton Beach State Park.

“This is an opportunity to help encourage our residents and visitors to explore the natural beauty of our state parks,” says Matt Algarin, director of communications…

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"SoWal Life" Introduces "SoWal Connections"!

This month, Life Media, distributor of SoWal Life, has premiered a new website specifically catering to second-homeowners in the South Walton/30A area:

sowalconnections.com 

You've likely seen SoWal Life, a community-oriented newspaper mailed to South Walton residents and circulated for free in stands around our beach communities. 

If you like the printed version, you'll also love the digital one! 

When you're not at the beach, you can still catch up on all the latest trending news, read interesting articles, and plan which events you want to attend on your next visit. There's also a section devoted to helping Homeowners with a directory of contacts such as plumbers, painters, pool services, and more.  

Bookmark their page to help you…

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Get Creative During Art Month In Walton County

Ignite your creative spark with a month-long celebration of the arts! 

Santa Rosa Beach, FL - Art Month Walton County, an initiative led by the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County and sponsored in part by Visit South Walton, will provide a whole month of creative offerings in May, including the "Under The Sea" fundraiser for the Underwater Museum of Art, 35th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, Longleaf Writers Conference, Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, The Sound of Music at Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Open Mic Night with Emerald Coast Storytellers, Sinfonia Goes Pop in Alys Beach, events at The Foster Gallery, and more. All events will happen in Walton County and are part of the Art Month mission to bring together communities,…

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Scenic 30A's Newest Boutique Hotel Opens In Seagrove Beach!

The Lodge 30A is already making headlines as one of the 12 most anticipated new family resorts in 2023 by USA Today!

This laid-back and coastal-inspired boutique hotel was developed by The St Joe Company, owners of The Pearl, WaterColor Inn, and Watersound Inn.

Guests can choose from studio-style and suite-style guest rooms. Enjoy luxurious amenities, including an outdoor pool, fitness center, and access to Watersound Beach Club for the beach, multiple pools, a lazy river, and restaurants. Upscale shops and restaurants will open soon at Greenway Station, adjacent to The Lodge.

Visitors to this part of Seagrove Beach will have easy access to one of the area’s coastal dune lakes nearby, Eastern Lake. And Point Washington State Forest offers…

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