6 minute read
From the POA
Welcome to Rosemary Beach!
Twenty-seven years have passed in a series of seasons
since the founding of Rosemary Beach in 1995. As we go to print on another summer issue of the Rosemary Thymes, on the beach the tides continue to come and go. Generations of sea turtles continue to ride some of those same tides, as they did long before our town existed. Time moves in a variety of cycles.
OUR HISTORY
Back before the first building site broke ground here, it was apparent that the ideas that the talented designers and developers wanted to give this community were different than many of those nearby. These visionaries here did not want simply to build rows of identical beige townhouses around a pool or a couple of condo towers in a big parking lot. Instead, they envisioned that the individual owners of homes and businesses would each add unique and different buildings, over time, and according to a flexible master plan that focused on the resulting civic spaces that would emerge as a stage for an outdoor-focused life. Variety in materials and colors was not only encouraged, but required. Architects had to consider not just the conditions of their client’s lot, but also of their project’s impact on the surrounding lots and public spaces. No doubt as a result, many of the structures in Rosemary Beach are beautiful works of architecture, worthy of admiration in their own right. Our Town Hall and Post Office, as two examples among many, are wonderful icons that anchor our Town Center and provide the backdrop for countless visitors’ vacation portraits. And better yet, the goals of the designers and developers continued beyond the individual residential and commercial lots, seeking to create streetscapes, parks and wonderful pedestrian walks that encouraged people to enjoy moving about the town on foot or bicycle, or even just to sit on a porch or park bench to take in a vista or to have a conversation, as they headed back and forth to the beach to relax. Those designers and developers knew that this is what would generate lasting value and excitement and create a town that people cared about deeply. It is important to realize that not every community, especially one as relatively young as Rosemary Beach, has the character to inspire this sort of affection and even passion. We are right to treasure this place, and to make the ongoing commitment to honor our town’s plan and architectural regulations. This will preserve the delightful character of our wonderful streets and parks, as we maintain the dedication of those that came before us for another generation.
LOOKING FORWARD
What makes Rosemary Beach special is its unique combination of people and the natural and built environments, that come together in a complementary and harmonious way to attract people to want to be here. In this paper, we have always enjoyed sharing stories about the individuals and families that have contributed their time and talents to our town. In the issue, we hope you learn a little more about some of those that have made, are currently making, and will continue to make a positive difference in the life of Rosemary Beach and the larger world around us. The town’s Vision Statement: “The town of Rosemary Beach aspires to be the best family beach community in the United States, driven by quality and excellence in everything it does. By preserving its architectural heritage, natural beauty and vibrant community spirit, Rosemary Beach will be a place that blends a tranquil residential area and active Town Center where residents, guests, and merchants live, work and play in harmony.” That vision is rooted in the master plan for the community, which includes many traditional features that combine to create a sense of place that is unique to Rosemary Beach, assembled so that it simultaneously feels like it has always been here but still manages to accommodate the ways we live, work and play today. The degree of our success and the reliance of the communities around us on our town center for entertainment and shopping requires that we continually refurbish and enhance our town.
The POA staff are supported by a hard-working, knowledgeable, and creative group of volunteer owners in the form of our Board of Directors and several active committees. These dedicated groups are constantly working to establish programs and projects to maintain and enhance the town, and they include the Townscape Enhancement Committee, the Covenant Enforcement Committee, the Design and Development Advisory Committee, and the Social Committee. Property owners can find more detailed information about these committees on the POA’s website.
PARDON OUR PROGRESS
Unfortunately, there is no convenient time that pleases everybody to complete the many necessary enhancement and maintenance projects. They nevertheless must be done if we are going to continue the success that generations of owners and merchants have worked so hard to establish. Our goal is to complete every project to the high standards of our town, as quickly as possible and with minimal disruption to our owners and guests. A vibrant community is never truly finished, and Rosemary Beach is no exception. We do appreciate your patience and understanding when these projects are underway.
COMMUNICATION
The Rosemary Beach Property Owners Association (POA) strives not only to operate and maintain the community’s common areas in world-class condition, but also to keep our owners and their guests and tenants informed of events, programs and projects that impact the town. As a quarterly publication, we try to focus the Rosemary Thymes’ content on topics of longer-term interest to our owners, merchants, and visitors. As a compliment to that perspective, we also send monthly newsletters to the property owners that include updates on shorter-term issues and topics. The community’s websites rosemarybeachfl.org, which is maintained by the Rosemary Beach Property Owners Association (POA), and rosemarybeach.com, which is maintained by the Cottage Rental Company (CRC), are updated regularly with notices of interest to owners and visitors. The calendars on both websites are updated regularly, include links to other local websites, and are available to all users. Take a moment to check out these online resources when you have a chance.
TURTLE TIME
We opened this article with a reference to sea turtle nesting season, which extends from May 1 to October 31 each year. If you only remember one thing while you are on the beach, it’s to leave things CLEAN, DARK, and FLAT. Well, two things… that, and listen to the lifeguards. Some things should go without saying, but we’ll say it again to be sure because apparently somebody out there isn’t listening well enough: Never leave trash on our beaches. Second, if you are on or near the beach at night, please avoid using flashlights or unshielded lights from gulf-front homes (other than turtle-safe lighting) as this can distract both the mother turtles early in the season and the baby hatchlings later. Last but not least, have fun building sand castles but remember to knock down the mounds and fill in those holes in the sand when you are done. Not only does CLEAN, DARK and FLAT make it better for the turtles—it makes it better for all of us, and we thank you for that. We hope you enjoy our town and this issue of our town paper. It seems fitting to say it once again: Welcome to Rosemary Beach!
