Walton County Board of County Commissioners and the Walton County Beach Operations and Tourism departments will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Bets "Beachmama" Haynes Regional Beach Access at 9 a.m. Monday, June 15, at 44 Hotz Ave. in Grayton Beach.
The County's 11th RBA features 1,600 square feet of beachfront amenities including restrooms, a 360-degree observation deck, rinse showers, a boardwalk and access to the Beach Tram. It also houses a local information station highlighting the founding and history of the Grayton Beach community.
The facility is named in honor of Bets "Beachmama" Haynes, a Grayton Beach resident credited with leading the grassroots campaign that convinced the state of Florida to purchase nearly 900 acres of coastal land in 1985, preserving what is now Grayton Beach State Park from high-density development.
Media and the public are invited to attend. Paid parking is available at the Grayton Beach Park and Ride, 1505 S County Hwy. 283, with free Beach Tram access to the site. Free parking is available on DeFuniak Street and 30A.
This project was built and will be maintained using the Tourist Development Tax, or bed tax, a 5-percent tax collected on short-term rentals of six months or less in south Walton County. Residents do not pay a bed tax unless they are taking a "staycation" in local accommodations.
For more information and project updates, please visit waltoncountyfltourism.com/projects or call Beach Operations at (850) 267-4578.
