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Commissioners approve Coastal Ambiance shelling tours to stage from Salinas Gulfside Park
Summary
The board voted 5‑0 to allow Crystal Fylin to stage guided shelling tours from Salinas Gulfside Park using an enclosed trailer and golf cart, provided the operation remains an excursion and does not become a permanent commercial booth in the passive park.
Gulf County commissioners voted unanimously to allow Coastal Ambiance Shelling Tours to use Salinas Gulfside Park as a staging point for guided shelling excursions, with conditions that the activity remain within the scope presented to staff.
Applicant Crystal Fylin told the board she plans to operate eco‑friendly walking and golf‑cart shelling tours focused on education and conservation, to use an enclosed trailer to transport a golf cart to the site, and to book tours online rather than sell goods at the park. "It's really about sharing the story of our coastline, building community pride and promoting some sustainable tourism," Fylin said.
County counsel advised the commission that its past precedent has been to prohibit commercial operations in passive park parking lots, but that the county has historically allowed staging for excursions such as horseback rides. The attorney said Fylin's proposal — staging a trailer and then taking clients down to the beach for a guided tour — fit within that exception as described. Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to approve the request; the motion carried 5‑0.
The county indicated the activity will require appropriate business licensing and insurance and that staff will help ensure the operation does not expand beyond the excursion staging scope the commission approved.
