30-A to be designated Scenic Highway

Nine years after beginning the designation process, Walton County’s Scenic 30-A corridor has officially earned designation as a Florida Scenic Highway. With continuous support and assistance from local residents, state and local government representatives, business owners, and community organizations, this 28.5 mile corridor gained state recognition for its scenic and intrinsic resources. Hugging the Gulf of Mexico coastline in Northwest Florida’s Walton County, Scenic 30-A takes you along a breath-taking drive where you will see sugar-white sand beaches and 11 globally rare coastal dune lakes. Scenic 30-A is a tourist attraction of major proportions. An exciting and eclectic mix of hot Caribbean colors and cool, soft pastels, complement a variety of architectural styles, giving each community a unique charm. Scenic 30-A travelers can also enjoy its miles of greenway trails connecting state parks and preserves to residential areas.

 
In celebration of this exceptional corridor the Friends of Scenic 30-A will be hosting a ceremony for the recent designation of Scenic 30-A as a Florida Scenic Highway. The event will be held at the Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, in Santa Rosa Beach on Thursday May 22, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m (CST). A brief press conference and a ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 6:15 p.m. A ceremonial autographing will also take place prior to the catered reception. The dedication ceremony will celebrate and recognize the people and institutions who have been involved in the efforts to achieve this important milestone. Florida Scenic Highway designation is an important step towards formally recognizing the natural and cultural heritage of this diverse region.

Future corridor plans and opportunities include providing improved signage, pull offs, additional trail systems and enhanced resource education. Scenic Highway grants offer new funding sources that can improve opportunities for safe and convenient accesses to attractions along the trails and beaches. The corridor will offer information about the area’s rich history and unique natural resources with a new wayfinding system, live demonstrations, festivals, museums and special events. The highway will provide access to beaches, green spaces, and opportunities for wildlife watching, boating, hunting, and fishing. Designation as a Florida Scenic Highway provides opportunity for Scenic 30-A to apply for National Scenic Highway designation as well.


For more information regarding Scenic 30-A, contact [Marker]Foor, District Scenic Highways Coordinator, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Three, District Environmental Management Office.