To celebrate the recent scenic corridor state designation for 30A, local officials and residents met at the Santa Rosa Beach Club on May 22 for a ceremonial ribbon cutting and recognition banquet.
"All I can say is I love this road," said Scenic Corridor Committee head Claire Bannerman. "Look what we've gained."
The SCC and other local groups have worked with the Florida Department of Transportation, Walton County Commissioner Cindy Meadows and planning group Kimley-Horn and Associates for more than a decade to get the road designated as scenic.
Laura Haddock of the FDEP compared the designation process to a rollercoaster of ups and downs of progress through the years, but said it was all very exciting.
"Everyone was persistent and never gave up," she said. "I'm definitely thrilled to be here in the same location as (the process) started."
With the designation, 30A is now entitled to state grants and other funding that will be used to provide such things as new signage, trails, lighting and historical information. Because the road is now designated as scenic in the state, it can now be submitted for national designation.
John Sewell of Kimley-Horn said he believes the new additions to the road will be put in place quickly and that its unique setting would easily allow it to be recognized nationally.
"To be recognized as scenic nationally, you have to have something unique in the corridor," he said. "The one thing this place has is the coastal dune lakes, which are found in only a couple places in the world.
"If this corridor went after national recognition, it would be a no-brainer."
Bud and Alley's Restaurant owner Dave Rauschkolb, who has been a major advocate of the designation and was present at the ceremony, said he remembers calling the road scenic nearly 20 years ago and has always hoped this day would come.
"This was a huge dream for so many people," he said. "Through persistence, it happened."
Walton County employees Roy Brown Sr., his son and Aaron Warren performed a song dedicated to the road entitled, "Oh 30A." Brown Sr., who is known as a local songwriter, wrote the song last month specifically for the event.
Commissioner Meadows ended the ceremony by praising the work that has gone into the corridor and gave credit to great community support.
"This is such a great community," she said. "It takes a community effort (to do something like this)."
Northwest Florida Daily News
Click here for more...