Improving River Access: RAM Docking Facility Opens

[JaxNative68]

field- Does the current slow down adjacent to the bulkhead along the north side of the river?  Just wondering if paddling from Hogans to McCoys is possible.  If so, we may have to try it.  Although enjoyable, the Hogan trip Saturday seemed to short.

[Noone]

Council meeting now.
You can go from Hogans to McCoys with an incoming tide. Imagine the stops along the way. The dock thats already in place at the Shipyards/Landmar site.

Fish under the cavernous depths of the shadows which is the waters of the Hyatt paking lot. continue on to another stop which is Bay St. Pier Park. Then on to RAM then on to McCoys.

An active day on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River. And thats just the Northbank.

It can happen now.

[fieldafm]

field- Does the current slow down adjacent to the bulkhead along the north side of the river?  Just wondering if paddling from Hogans to McCoys is possible.  If so, we may have to try it.  Although enjoyable, the Hogan trip Saturday seemed to short.

In the morning its not so bad.  When the tide goes out it starts to get moving.  Making the trip from Hogans/McCoy/RAM is easily doable... getting back would be a chore b/c you'd be in the middle of the tidal current going back out, therefore the current picks up steam.  I'm debating whether or not to do the Autism bike ride on the 26th.  If I decide not to, do you want to get together the morning of the 26th and make a run at it?  I could park my truck at the Y and we can just haul back the gear to Hogans instead of paddling back.

Im sure Pat, John and a host of others would make a go of it.

I really want to go underneath the Hyatt and join in on the fun those guys go into last week!

Regardless, you should come out to Hogans on the 19th for the cleanup.  It will be a great event!

[billy]

underneath the Hyatt?

[north miami]

field- Does the current slow down adjacent to the bulkhead along the north side of the river?  Just wondering if paddling from Hogans to McCoys is possible.  If so, we may have to try it.  Although enjoyable, the Hogan trip Saturday seemed to short.

At lot depends on the vessel itself-performance can vary greatly.
My looong 17 foot sit inside narrow beam Necky "Looksha" is a real race boat that strides most effortlessly in to wind and current.Smaller and/or beamier craft struggle more.

A sit on top type is vastly easier to get in and out of at tight beaches,landings,floating docks.And less of a challenge crawling back on to in the event of a FLIP.

***Grave consideration must be given to the prospect of a capsize in the downtown river environment;strong currents, extended boating season with cold water reality and little or no shoreline access to stand and escape.........***

Timming to coincide with tides can be a real plus.Tide tables easily accessed via the internet.

The entire river is squeezed in to and through downtown-an under water 'Grand Canyon";a funnel with depths in front of the Landing in excess of 60 feet.
And of course day to day tidal flow varies considerably according to seasonal/lunar cycles and prevailing winds.

By the way- the rocks downstream of RAM provide good hunting grounds for drift wood.

And how about Paddle Boards now on scene- basically giant surf boards paddled standing up,recent models feature leaning posts and storage.Don't know how the Board fare in strong current.

Paddle Boards like walking on water-I can just see a flotilla of Water Walkers downtown.........."RIVER WALK" personified!
South bank,North Bank,Mid River..........

            (original post later edited for clarity,adherence to thread subject  n.m.)

[mtraininjax]

far cheaper than paying for parking at the stadium

I like the water taxi, don't get me wrong, it is a great ride and way to get off the normal path. But my lot J pass is only 20 bucks, no matter how many people I cram in my SUV. So if it is 3-5 bucks on the water taxi EACH WAY, and your round trip to the landing, is similar to mine, what have you really saved? A few bucks?

With gas prices headed up to 4 bucks and higher, look for the water taxi to be raising their rates as well. Pretty soon that Lot J parking pass will be less expensive than the water taxi.

[Garden guy]

Does anyone know why they only have this open on the weekends and if they plan on opening it up later on during the week....just seems like a waist for only 2 days a week.

[fieldafm]

I don't have a parking pass, and the only lots open are the onea in b/w Met Park and the Shipyards, the one all the way past the train tracks by the silos or the 2nd lot behind the Matthews Expressway on A Philip Randolph.  All those lots are sufficiently far enough from the stadium and otherwise empty enough of other tailgaters, that I'd frankly prefer not to park there.  The Tailgaters lot is around $30/game.. as is the Fairgounds.

I tailgate in a lot about twice a year(usually for Indy and Tenn)... but I'd much rather do the River Taxi($8 round trip), the free boat ride at the Landing(spending $10 pre-game at Hooters is far better than sweating around a bunch of dudes in the wiltering September heat while paying $30 bucks to park and about $30 on food to grill) or taking the JTA shuttle which costs $6 and includes a free item(either a hot dog, soda, popcorn... depending on the week).

Im not made of money, so I do what I can to afford my two season tickets and the ancillary expenses of the game itself(for instance, I get gas only at Gate during the season to get the Jags Bucks... I average about $130 or so a year in Jags Bucks to spend at the game through the Gate program, thereby freeing up cash I would otherwise spend on beer inside the stadium).

If I could get a decent parking pass on a season pass basis close to the stadium for $20/game... I'd consider it.  Otherwise, spending a morning eating at the Landing by the water, taking a short fun boat ride over to the stadium, and being able to afford partying afterwards at Dos Gatos b/c I havent spent $50 or more b/w parking/beer drinking inside the stadium/tailgating food is still a better deal for me. 

Does anyone know why they only have this open on the weekends and if they plan on opening it up later on during the week....just seems like a waist for only 2 days a week.

Permitting issue with the state of Florida RE: Manatees and access during the week b/c Fidelity has parking rights.

GG, make your thoughts be known to Parks Dept about opening access for hand launced crafts during any daylight hours.  It's going to take some community outcry to grease the wheels.

[north miami]

Heard out and about:

Thank you Captain Rocky for directly engaging the Mayor and sharing your vision.

Mayor Peyton,keenly aware of River Access interest, is possibly interested in accommodating a hand launched facility in conjunction with upcoming YMCA construction.

[Noone]

Huge props to Capt. Rocky, you, and Mayor Peyton for any additional access points to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

[Dog Walker]

Upcoming YMCA construction??  More info please.

[north miami]

Upcoming YMCA construction??  More info please.

Local yacht captain and river recreation access advocate Captain Rocky- ph) 361 8585
Rocky recently conducted a river cruise with Mayor Peyton;YMCA hand launch discussion.

[Garden guy]

IT's still too bad we can only use it two days a week...seems kind of expensive of a dock when you think of it in those terms..

[Know Growth]

Spinning around in circles??

Questions as to RAM dock placement,use?

State permit insights are a matter of public record;news and information if you will.

Start with      connie.webel@dep.state.fl.us

[Noone]

It was a fantastic opportunity to share this piece of Jacksonville's Maritime history with JaxNative68 and Field. Great pictures MJ team.

The $395,000 floating dock was done with TIF funding from the Northbank.

Now as everyone is saying can you imagine how little it would cost and the benefit for a council district for a pocket pier or floating dock at a Waterfront Public Access street end.

Mayor Peyton and other elected officials said that there is no more money. That is where FIND comes in. I can't wait to share this with the Commissioners of the Florida Inland Navigation District.

So Who's next. Who wants to paddle from Hogans Creek to the floating dock at RAM?

Elected officials and those running in the Spring elections go to the front of the line.

Its official.

Our St. Johns River our American Heritage River is Open for Business.

One day out from the secret meeting that will try and correct the Backroom crushing of what should be a Public dialogue and input as it relates to our ad volorem property tax through a process established by the legislature with FIND and Public Aceess projects.

We are so Lost.

Is everyone excited about our new Authority? At the 11/20/12 Committee meeting of our new DIA on strategy and timing chair Melody Bishop, along with Board members Allegretti, Harris, Perez, were informed by interim director Paul Crawford that TIF funding for projects has been used up till 2017. 5 years out. OUCH!

It is true that only RAM can use this dock at this time. Not good. So what did we do? Legislation was introduced 2011-364 that would insure that Bennie for Ram for 30 years. Are we a joke or what.

Who will soon be getting a million dollar payday for Palms Fish Camp and they never even opened up the door?

How about this one. Intuition Ale wants to build a new facility at the former Shipyards site with no handouts and they are immediately shut down. Someone correct me if my understanding of that is wrong.

So what are the TIF projects and how much are we in the hole before we continue to pick the winners and losers?

Never forget Shipyards/Landmar. Monuments for everyone.

Anyone going to the 11/26/12 Jacksonville Waterways Commission Committee meeting on the 2013 FIND cycle grant projects at 9:30 am 4th floor city hall?