Seaside, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Seaside, Florida
|
|
|---|---|
Seaside Post Office
|
|
| Motto(s):
"A simple, beautiful life."
|
|
 Seaside, Florida
Location in Florida
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Walton |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
32459
|
| GNIS feature ID | 1955357 |
Seaside is a special community in Walton County, Florida. It's located on the Florida Panhandle, between the cities of Panama City Beach and Destin. Seaside is known as one of the first places in America built using ideas from "New Urbanism." This means it was planned to be a walkable town with homes, shops, and public spaces close together.
Many architects and city planners visit Seaside to learn from its design. In 2012, the American Institute of Architects in Florida recognized Seaside as an important example of "New Urbanism Township."
Contents
History of Seaside
Construction on Seaside began in 1981. The idea for the town started much earlier, in 1946. That's when Robert S. Davis's grandfather bought about 80 acres of land along the Florida coast. He wanted it to be a summer getaway for his family.
In 1978, Robert S. Davis inherited the land. He dreamed of turning it into an old-fashioned beach town. He wanted it to have traditional wooden cottages, like those found in old Florida towns. Davis and his wife, Daryl, worked with architects Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. They traveled around the South, studying small towns to get ideas for Seaside. The final plan for Seaside was ready around 1985.
A fun fact about Seaside is that it was the main place where the 1998 movie The Truman Show was filmed!
Where is Seaside?
Seaside is right next to the Gulf of Mexico. It is located along a road called County Road 30A. If you travel southeast on this road, Rosemary Beach is about 8 miles (13 km) away. If you go northwest, Miramar Beach is about 16 miles (26 km) away.
How Seaside is Designed
Seaside is one of three planned communities on Florida's Gulf coast designed by Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. The other two are Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach. All three are great examples of "New Urbanism." This is a way of planning cities that focuses on making places walkable and friendly.
Because Seaside is privately owned, its builders could create their own special rules for how buildings look. The main shopping area is in the town center. Streets spread out from the center, and there are many walking paths and open spaces. You'll find different kinds of homes and businesses mixed together.
Homes in Seaside must look different from each other. They come in many styles, like Victorian, New Classical, and Modern. Many famous architects have designed buildings in Seaside. For example, the Seaside Chapel, a well-known building, was designed by architect Scott Merrill.
In Seaside, homes do not have private front lawns. Only plants that naturally grow in Florida are used in the front yards.
Fun Events in Seaside
Seaside hosts many exciting events throughout the year:
- 30A Songwriters Festival: During this festival, singers and songwriters from all over the U.S. perform. You can hear music in different places along Scenic Highway 30A, including in Seaside itself.
- Seaside Half Marathon and 5K Race: This running event happens every March. Runners from all over the country come to participate. The 5K race is for the first 800 people who sign up. The Half Marathon is for the first 2200 people. Top runners get prizes, and everyone who finishes the Half Marathon gets a medal. You can also walk in either race!
- Other Events: Seaside also has a "Seeing Red Wine Festival," a dance festival, a farmers market, and holiday events. One popular holiday event is an annual show of The Nutcracker.
Organizations and Places to Visit
Escape to Create
Escape to Create helps artists and the community. They invite artists to live and work in Seaside for a while. They also offer art programs and educational activities for everyone.
Seaside Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning, the Seaside Farmers Market opens. You can find fresh local fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and baked goods. They also sell native plants. Sometimes, you can watch cooking or gardening demonstrations.
Repertory Theater
The Repertory Theater, also called The REP, started in 2001. It's the only professional theater company on the Emerald Coast. They put on many shows each year, from family-friendly plays to shows for adults. High school students can even intern at The REP. This program teaches them about theater by working with the staff and even putting on their own shows.
SEASIDE Institute
The SEASIDE Institute is a non-profit group in Seaside. They offer educational programs all year. These programs focus on important topics like keeping our environment healthy, staying connected as a community, and being able to adapt to new things.
Seaside Neighborhood School
In 1995, parents and community members in Walton County wanted to make education better. They decided to create a school for students in grades five through eight. In 1996, the Seaside Neighborhood School opened. It was the very first charter school in Florida!
The school started with only 50 students and one classroom. In 1998, architect Richard Gibbs designed three white buildings for the school. To keep the school small, only a limited number of students are accepted into each grade. If too many students want to join, names are chosen randomly from a lottery. Children of school employees, board members, or siblings of current students are automatically accepted.
In 2013, Seaside Neighborhood School started a high school called Seacoast Collegiate High School. It began with 80 students in grades 9 and 10. They added 11th grade in 2014 and 12th grade in 2015. In 2014, Seaside Neighborhood School also added a fifth-grade class.
Famous People from Seaside
- Don Gaetz: A politician who used to be a state senator for Florida.
- Matt Gaetz: A politician who is a congressman for Florida.
See also
In Spanish: Seaside para niños
