ROSEMARY THYMES | 10
From the POA
Welcome to Rosemary Beach! In this issue, we offer some insight into the history of our Town Center and some insights into the merchants and civic functions that form the heart of our community. If you are reading this, you most likely have experienced the excitement of entering Rosemary Beach through the magical avenue of live oak trees along 30A, arriving at Barrett Square to all the activity on the greens and in the shops, against the backdrop of the iconic Town Hall and Post Office buildings. It’s no wonder that Architectural Digest named our Main Street as one of the 30 Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America, all the more notable given that the 29 other towns on the list had head starts on us by as much as 280 years!
SO, WHY IS OUR TOWN CENTER IN THE CENTER OF TOWN? Like other New Urbanist communities, the town’s master plan is no haphazard arrangement of lots, but rather was carefully laid out to create a harmonious community that promotes social interactions and access to beautiful, mixed-use community spaces. One of the criteria used by town planners DPZ was ensuring that a 15-minute walk from any home in Rosemary Beach would get you into the Town Center. A system of hierarchical lanes, boardwalks, neighborhood parks, streets and avenues all lead to (and from) Barrett Square and Main Street. It’s no wonder that Walkover G, at Western Green, is so popular! And, it was not only the placement of the Town Center that was considered so carefully but also the content of it. The Town Hall, often used for town meetings, weddings, concerts and other community events, occupies a prominent spot on high ground. It is easily seen
as a landmark, helping to orient youngsters and adults alike as they move about the town. Restaurants are mixed with retail shops on the ground floors, and with offices and apartments on upper floors above, such that a walk to the Post Office might just include a spontaneous visit (and cup of coffee) with friends you didn’t know were in town. As you move about, there is activity all around you. Moving away from Town Center, things become more peaceful and paths lead to the beach, smaller parks and other quieter amenities.
ENJOYING OUR BEACH SAFELY Speaking of the beach… it cannot go without saying that the most important part of enjoying the beautiful beaches here is being aware of water safety. To that important end, the POA continues to contract with the South Walton Fire District (SWFD) to extend SWFD’s Beach Safety Program to our beach. In addition to the lifeguards stationed in towers and on ATV’s
