Kayak Launch in Fernandina - Support Needed

FLDave · **Posted:** Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:37 pm

On Tuesday night at the City of Fernandina Beach Commissioners meeting, there will be an effort by a group of us to resurrect the idea of a kayak launch on Egan's Creek at the existing park on the north side of Atlantic Avenue. A group of local kayakers planted the seed for this with the support of one of the City Commissioners (who no longer is on the Commission due to term limits) several years ago and were successful in getting the launch included in the current year's budget. Unfortunately, as things happen, what started out as a simple design got over-designed by an engineering firm who saw big $$$ opportunity and when the project bids came it at $105,000; the Commission said no way.

Not to give up that easily, a small group banded together (including myself and IslandSpeed) and looked for low cost, low impact alternatives. We are advocating an earthern ramp leading to a pea gravel launch area (falling tide) similar to the gravel launch into the flats at Kayak Amelia although this would provide access to water at all levels. Estimated cost is less than $15,000 with minimal maintenance costs. The City's Parks Dept. recently began a Kayak Club and have 20+ members paying annual dues who strongly support this effort.

Anyway, if you live in the area or up this way on Tuesday night, your support will be appreciated. The item is at the end of the meeting so there is no telling what time it will be discussed. Seems every time I think the meeting will be fast, something comes up that drags on and on and on. If you can't attend the meeting, you can send an e-mail to each of the City Commissioners voicing your support. YOu can find a list of the Commissioners and their e-mail addresses at:

http://www.fbfl.us/Directory.aspx?DID=84

Thanks for your support

islandspeed2001 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:59 pm

As you well know, I will be there. Earlier Ray (KA) advised he would be there also. Keep missing him to confirm. Fernandina JKF'ers show up with your JKF Shirts :cheers:

I plan on hanging around outside the meeting until this comes up on the agenda. Not sure if a HH at the Palace prior to the meeting is a good thing or not :scratch:

MarkWRX · **Joined:** Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:01 pm **Posts:** 249

What time would you think this topic would come up? I work untill 7pm tuesday night and probably couldn't get all the way to fernandina untill 8-830.

Cocoa beach has the best Kayak launch I've ever seen...It consists of a picket fence, a grass parking lot, trash cans, and a short mulch trail that ends on the Indian River. Seriously, how much could that cost?

DropShot · **Posted:** Fri Sep 03, 2010 9:50 pm

Count me in! I'd be happy to dress up, show up and speak up.

vthartford · **Posted:** Sat Sep 04, 2010 6:47 am

They probably spent more than 15K on the engineering for the 105k ramp. Sad, isn't it!

FLDave · **Posted:** Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:34 am

[quote="MarkWRX"]What time would you think this topic would come up? I work untill 7pm tuesday night and probably couldn't get all the way to fernandina untill 8-830.

It is so tough to predict the time when they will get around to this as it is the last item on the agenda. Their meeting starts at 6:00; although they have a budget meeting prior to that at 5:00. Looking at the items on the agenda, there are a couple of items that might generate a lot of discussion (fee schedule for next year for all City services, municipal liens and expansion of the historic district). All depends on if any citizens show up or if any of the Commissioners have an particular issue they want to expand. There have been times in the past when I thought the meeting would be over quickly and it went on and on; and then others when I thought there were items that were real controversial.

I am hoping the meeting will be over by 8:00 as I have to drive up to Atlanta after the meeting in order to be there for some work-related meetings the following morning. But what I have found in the past, is that in local government, the squeaky wheel gets the attention.

Any support that can be provided, either through phone calls, e-mails or attending the meeting will be appreciated, as many of the commissioners just don't realize how popular kayaking is and how access on Egan's Creek will be such a draw for locals as well as visitors.

Thanks

islandspeed2001 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:01 pm

Looks like we will have a new kayak launch on Ameli Island!j We will keep everyone posted as this gets finalized.

DropShot · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:16 am

Thanks for the update, Jerry! :clap:

Everybody at my house has the creeping crud, :mossies:

so I had to stay put and play nursemaid. Didn't think it prudent to show up and spread the contagion further...

Can't wait to try out the new launch, though! ETA?

islandspeed2001 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 8:26 am

ETA? Hard to tell when your working with any city goverment. I am just glad they are going with the proposed pea gravel type launch rather than the monstrosity floating dock launch concept that was originally proposed. Aside from the projected $100,000+ cost for a floating dock launch, we all know that those type of launches aren't worth a crap. :pottytrain5:

It was a Win / Win for all of us. We saved the city $80,000+ and we got the kayakers preferred type launch.

FLDave · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 8:33 am

Yes, a big step forward. Timing all depends on how long it will take to get the necessary permitting from St. Johns River WMD and any other agencies and how many hoops they will make the City jump through. We will continue to keep the pressure on as we all know its the squeaky wheel that gets the attention.

JagYakR · **Posted:** Wed Sep 08, 2010 11:11 am

Guys that is some great news, and everyone involved should be commended! :salute:

Please keep everyone in the loop and let us all know if we can do anything else to help the cause.

Kayak Launch in Fernandina - Support Needed

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