WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — Members of the Board of County Commissioners and Walton County Tourism gathered this week to celebrate the grand opening of Bets “Beachmama” Haynes Regional Beach Access, the County’s 11th RBA, located at 44 Hotz Ave. in Grayton Beach. 

The new facility 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 total cost of this project was $4.3 million.

“The Board of County Commissioners dedicated this beach access to the late Bets ‘Beachmama’ Haynes,” said Beach Operations Director Josh Ervin. “As we all know, she was very much a public access advocate, community leader, beach safety steward and brought people together. I’m certainly pleased to be able to be here today to recognize her.”

Bets “Beachmama” Haynes, a Grayton Beach resident, led 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.

This project was built and will be maintained using the Tourist Development Tax, or bed tax, a five-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.