By DOTTY NIST
A small nature and community center building is in the works for the 10-acre Kellogg Park property on the south side of the Choctawhatchee Bay.
On April 27 at the South Walton Annex, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the Walton County Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) request for a task order to start design and permitting work for the addition of the nature/community center building on the bayfront park property. The work is to be funded through the TDC budget.
David Demarest, TDC director of marketing and communications, confirmed the task order approval and commented on the project the following day. “It will be a small (800-1,200 square feet) building on an existing building pad that will be used as a nature center and community center,” Demarest explained,
The TDC is responsible for oversight of the park and for maintaining trails and existing features on the property. Previously the organization had cleared trails on the land and had put in a 20-plus-space parking lot and landscaping, along with stormwater structures. Benches are also in place.
Located at 776 East Nursery Road in Santa Rosa Beach, the land that is now Kellogg Park was donated to Walton County in 2003 by a county resident, the late Pat Kellogg. The 10 acres were mostly wooded and in their natural condition with two older homes on the property that have since been removed. Trails on the property run through pine flatwoods connected with the Choctawhatchee Bay.
Kellogg’s donation was with the stipulation that the land be used as a wildlife nature preserve and educational center, with an emphasis on bird watching. The Choctawhatchee Audubon Society was provided with perpetual access to the property as part of the terms of the land donation.
A plaque placed on the property by the TDC in 2010 honors Pat Kellogg and her husband Louis for the donation. Pat passed away in 2006, Louis in 1999.
Brian Kellenberger, TDC director of beach operations, commented, “The land gift of 10 acres from the Kellogg family included some terms and conditions of creating a nature preserve and education center where people could come and enjoy nature and learn about the history of Walton County and Choctawhatchee Bay.”
Kellenberger explained that the design and permitting process for the nature/community center building would begin with the TDC requesting a proposal from one of the architectural/engineering companies under continuing services contract with the county.
He said that after approval of a company for the design and permitting, some conceptual plans for the facility would be created that would be on view at a public workshop, “to present the intent of the project, display our conceptual plans, and receive public input.”
Kellenberger continued, “We will then consider and include appropriate input into the conceptual plans and present to the BCC for consideration.” He envisioned the new building as being similar in function to the one at Padgett Park in Santa Rosa Beach and including a small meeting space, bathrooms, and possibly a catering kitchen area.
Public workshops on the nature/community center have not been scheduled at this time, but information on those will be forthcoming.