Goodby's Canoe Trail? POSSIBLE!

[Ocklawaha]

Keep the faith fellow paddlers, we're on the way to creating the Jacksonville paddle trail system. Goodby's is just the start, there are 5 more local waterways that would make easy conversions already on my hit list. 

OCKLAWAHA

Ock, What are the other 5?
Went by Tomahawk park yesterday and did the nature walk. Thats a beautiful park. All the garbage was picked up and piled in an area. There was never a doubt that it would be.  Ock you know our cities Waterways. Whats the next one on your hit list? FIND is identifying these spots now.

Ortega River - Argyle Park to Collins Road, or Tillie Fowler at Blaine Street
Pottsburg Creek - Beach Bl  to AC Skinner or Gate Parkway West
Cedar Creek - Duval Road or Biscayne to Zoo Parkway
Dunn Creek - New Berlin Road or Dunn Creek Road to Faye Road
Julington/Durbin Creek -  Greenland Road to Hood Landing & US 1 to Hood Landing

OCKLAWAHA

[NavyGuyAN]

Hey Ock!...if you Noone, bobsim or anyone else ever go on anymore Kayaking adventures drop me a message, I'd love to go...I dont know if you go all still go with the weather getting colder or not? Needless to say I dont have my own kayak I just rent one for the day when I go at the NAS Jax Marina.
Also what I dont get though is why there is a canoe/kayak luanch across the Ortega from Tillie Fowler Park at Ringhaver Park. Access is the far east end of Morse Rd.  is closest to the boat luanch, yet I've walked this and it's quite a hike to the actual dock. Dont know how much its used, but would probably get more use in the Tillie Fowler Park side of the river.

[Noone]

NNavyGuyAN, I'll shoot you a PM when I'm looking to hit these still to be discovered Waterways. I had a blast with Ock and want to paddle with him. Especially all on Ock's hit list. I'd like to see Cedar Creek next. The zoo is number one on the FIND list. Is Palms Fish Camp close by??
Your up early too and in two days is A Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting at 9:30 in council chambers. Tom Ingram will be on the agenda giving suggestions for a dozen locations that can be on the FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District). Aaron Bowman is our new Duval County representative. Not familiar with that area that you are describing but would love to see it. Point is if you show up your suggestion can be heard.

The Goodby's site is awesome.

[north miami]

Also what I dont get though is why there is a canoe/kayak luanch across the Ortega from Tillie Fowler Park at Ringhaver Park.

Hand launch access available at the Ortega River bridge park,San Juan Avenue.
At low tide/low water there is a sandy beach at the low seawall next to the floating dock.At high water use the floating dock.

This is an ideal location affording immediate access to the big river or protected Ortega River,Jacksonville Marina Mile.
Note too Fishweir Creek immediately to your left when upon heading out to the big river.
At low water conditions expansive siltation mud banks appear at the mouth of the Creek near Herschel Street bridge. (This silted in section noted as essential Manatee habitat........go figure.Now only birds stand there....).Do not attempt to walk the siltation flats,you will sink down waist deep;CAUTION-a potentially dangerous drown threat if stuck in the 'quick mud' at incoming tide.Hug close to the Loop restaurant shore for a band of navigable water.Once upstream the depth increases.You can paddle to Roosevelt Blvd. ........and if brave continue through the culvert to the Hamilton street public land......subject of two Ron Littlepage editorials.

Back on the Ortega,paddle to Saddler Point Marina and check out the beach underneath the Roosevelt bridge..........public vehicle access at the top of the Hill,but water access currently FENCED off.

[Noone]

Would love to see the Roosevelt bridge launch site make it to the FIND list. A call to Councilman Love or Jones not sure just who is the council rep would certainly help. Onward...

[bobsim]

  Hey Folks,

  I noticed Durbin/Julington  on the list. There are launches for both existing so I would tell anyone interested in paddling them to get wet. Julington access is a floating dock at the city park south of the bridge on Old Saint Augustine Rd. Durbin access is a little more remote, the Bartram Canoe Trail launch is at the Racetrack Road bridge. If using this launch be careful backing down, there are concrete 'curbs' about 3/4 down the dirt road that are hard to see. Both are doable at low water.

[Noone]

Doug, the bigger concern is not the project per say. But the ability for everyone to be allowed to participate from an economic standpoint.

I will play devil's advocate here.  I can launch my kayaks from Goodby's boat ramp (recently built by the city) for free.  I can paddle up Goodby's as far as the tide will let me go.  In fact, I have done it several times.

I also launch from River Oaks Park for free.  And I paddle to RAM for free.  I can launch from the ramp next to River City Brewing for free.

Anyone can paddle for free from any Public property that is a given. It is when compensation is brought in that the equation changes. This was recognized and corrected by former city councilwoman Lynette Self and former Jacksonville Waterways commission member and former mayoral candidate Jim Bailey. Super pats on the back to Lynette and Jim. They did the right thing.

City council meeting tonight. I will be pleading again with my Dist.4 city council representative Don Redman the chair of Waterways about the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier as a potential canoe and kayak launch. I will be at Waterways tomorrow cheering and supporting activist Tom Ingram and his journey to have even one of his suggestions to make the FIND list that will be made part of the permanent record that will be given to the Commissioners of FIND.

[Overstreet]

  Hey Folks,

  I noticed Durbin/Julington  on the list. There are launches for both existing so I would tell anyone interested in paddling them to get wet. Julington access is a floating dock at the city park south of the bridge on Old Saint Augustine Rd. Durbin access is a little more remote, the Bartram Canoe Trail launch is at the Racetrack Road bridge. If using this launch be careful backing down, there are concrete 'curbs' about 3/4 down the dirt road that are hard to see. Both are doable at low water.

Owk was refering to the boat ramp at Clarks. The end of Hood Landing road. Personally I don't use that for either boat.

[bobsim]

 OK, I'm easily confused. I admit it. In my line of thinking a trail is a starting point and a finish with a designated path to follow between them.  Of the three locations for that combination the only viable one was Clarks. the others mentioned won't work. I came up with two spots that will work at low water. These are pretty much the limits of a kayak at low tide. You can squeeze another 1/2 mile inland from them but you will earn it.

So is the problem Clarks? I have used it with no issues other than getting to the safety of the no wake zone around it. As far as the Durbin loop I think the water access inside the Julington Durbin Park at the old crossing would be a much safer takeout for small craft than rounding the point and heading to Clarks. Unfortunately it's quite a portage to the parking lot but is a fine place to rest and turn around and head back to the launch. Personally I feel there is just as much to see on a return, but that's me.

  Here's a link to our trail on Durbin: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1293582 If you follow it under the bridge the pics will show you that's pretty much it for floating. Also the end of our trip, where we turned around is the old crossing I mentioned, N 30° 07.157 W 081° 32.780.

  Is there a clear mission statement here?

[north miami]

Would love to see the Roosevelt bridge launch site make it to the FIND list. A call to Councilman Love or Jones not sure just who is the council rep would certainly help. Onward...

Plan way ahead department:

Met with Cynthia Seagraves today...........it is "official" ........this site to be named in honor of Cynthia's mother;
GRACE..........
Grace was a Lakeshore Blvd. Pioneer,she at one time in fact owned the site.Not too long ago Pier 17 utilized the site for kayak/canoe demo.Grace dreamed of general public access,park atmosphere at this site.This will Happen.Anything less will prove unacceptable.

Adjacent is Saddler Point and RiverKeeper Board member Mr.Busey.

River Angels float in our midst

Marina Mile Pier 17 Marine Flea Market this Saturday. Come by and visit with Cynthia.
This postuosely interjected withGoodby's because after all, all happily connected.

Onwardville.

[Ocklawaha]

Here is what I am talking about. To the greater masses out there this is a simple little beach along a creek, but to a paddler it will be recognized as the very best type of launch/takeout area. Canoes and Kayaks do not get along well with sloped concrete ramps, docks, floating docks, or other fancy nautical improvements. So when we are talking about a canoe launch being created, THIS IS IT. Now for the sake of 'place' one might add a small rail fence on either side, a bench, a drying rack where the boats can be hoisted upside down and rinsed off, a hose bib and... and... a trail sign.

In the case of Camp Tomahawk I'd suggest we open a space in the rail fence, and have the city dump a load of pure white sand near the creek. A weekend of volunteer help and we'd have the rack and other improvements up and running.

I think all of our starter trails should offer similar features, but different scenery. Something that will become the standard for NE Florida. People should be able to expect that drying rack, beach, or hose bib, they might also expect a few other improvements should we desire to take it to the next level, picnic table, BBQ grill, shelter, bathrooms/outdoor shower...etc.  We want visitors to go back to Duluth and tell their friends, 'Damn, EVERY single trail is well marked, and has this, or that, and some of these too...'  We can also publish a guide to Jacksonville paddle trails after we get a few up and running.

Certainly there are other streams and perhaps better places for long runs, but my hit list was based on, relative isolation from speed boats, remote feel, urban closeness, ease of access, and a put in, as well as independent take out area.



I'm toying with ideas for a unique 'Jacksonville Canoe/Kayak trail sign'. I've bounced it off of friends at DOC in Oklahoma and they will custom make our signs for us if we desire. Their work is cheap, fast, and about as flawless as we could want. Look this over and lets design a sort of standard 'JAX-LAUNCH' one that we can duplicate over and over. 

Bobsim, Do you think it's possible to go down Durbin Creek from US-1 or I-95 area? Would it be possible if we had a team clear out log jams? Florida DOC once upon a time offered such a service, maybe  they still do? I think one of the officials is a regular on these pages. What does Durbin/Julington Creeks look like where the high tension power lines cross? Think we could get an access lane along those wires down to the water?  ...Oh and did you see signs of 'my' panther out on the peninsular? She raised at least one kitten there just a few years ago.  Based on her tracks she is a BIG kitty.

OCKLAWAHA

[bobsim]

  Hi Ock,

  Thanks for the clarification, I disagree with the need for all the improvements but hey, whats new? I question the requirement for a separate take out area also.The currents in these creeks are minimal, don't necessitate it and it requires a shuttle or second vehicle. 

  The Durbin trail is a good example of something that ain't broke. It's pristine, perfect and available to those who seek it. The launch is old timbers left from a past logging operation, standing on them I wonder how they survived the bridge construction.  From what I have seen there is no practical way to expand the trail inland, it becomes a shallow swamp, overgrown and gorgeous.

  I think the motor boat traffic around the 'point' and partially into Julington Creek would be a negative factor also. I swear some of these people just don't like paddle craft. Maybe not the best experience for a beginner.

  I'll be there to lend a hand if needed for the Goodby's Creek landing. IMO a good spot for such a venture.

[Noone]

Here is what I am talking about. To the greater masses out there this is a simple little beach along a creek, but to a paddler it will be recognized as the very best type of launch/takeout area. Canoes and Kayaks do not get along well with sloped concrete ramps, docks, floating docks, or other fancy nautical improvements. So when we are talking about a canoe launch being created, THIS IS IT. Now for the sake of 'place' one might add a small rail fence on either side, a bench, a drying rack where the boats can be hoisted upside down and rinsed off, a hose bib and... and... a trail sign.

In the case of Camp Tomahawk I'd suggest we open a space in the rail fence, and have the city dump a load of pure white sand near the creek. A weekend of volunteer help and we'd have the rack and other improvements up and running.

I think all of our starter trails should offer similar features, but different scenery. Something that will become the standard for NE Florida. People should be able to expect that drying rack, beach, or hose bib, they might also expect a few other improvements should we desire to take it to the next level, picnic table, BBQ grill, shelter, bathrooms/outdoor shower...etc.  We want visitors to go back to Duluth and tell their friends, 'Damn, EVERY single trail is well marked, and has this, or that, and some of these too...'  We can also publish a guide to Jacksonville paddle trails after we get a few up and running.

Certainly there are other streams and perhaps better places for long runs, but my hit list was based on, relative isolation from speed boats, remote feel, urban closeness, ease of access, and a put in, as well as independent take out area.



I'm toying with ideas for a unique 'Jacksonville Canoe/Kayak trail sign'. I've bounced it off of friends at DOC in Oklahoma and they will custom make our signs for us if we desire. Their work is cheap, fast, and about as flawless as we could want. Look this over and lets design a sort of standard 'JAX-LAUNCH' one that we can duplicate over and over. 

Bobsim, Do you think it's possible to go down Durbin Creek from US-1 or I-95 area? Would it be possible if we had a team clear out log jams? Florida DOC once upon a time offered such a service, maybe  they still do? I think one of the officials is a regular on these pages. What does Durbin/Julington Creeks look like where the high tension power lines cross? Think we could get an access lane along those wires down to the water?  ...Oh and did you see signs of 'my' panther out on the peninsular? She raised at least one kitten there just a few years ago.  Based on her tracks she is a BIG kitty.

OCKLAWAHA

Ock,
That canoe sign is very simalar to one on Dutton Island out at Mayport.

Waterways meeting in 2 1/2 hours that will be finalizing a list for FIND

[Overstreet]

.......... So is the problem Clarks?..............

Clark's or rather Hood Landing just has too much traffic and not enough vehicle space. 

The dock at the Durbin Preserve is just to far away from the parking lot.  I'm good portage mule but there are limits.  However before some more trees fell I was up that far with the CC bay boat. 

I have not used the Julington creek launch at St Auguatine Rd. But I"ve been up there in the CC within a 1/2 mile by the gPS. Nice water. Durbin Creek is better once you clear the houses.

I've often wanted to come in from Race track in the yak but never got around to it. There used to be an old cyprus snag in there that was about 6' DBH. Impressive old tree.

[bobsim]

  Here is some info I recently found re Durbin. Pat on the back for Josh Woods and Eric Bersinger and a big 'saaaalute' from the corn field! Great story and history. I had no idea those timbers dated back that far.

http://jacksonville.com/community/mandarin/2011-09-08/story/two-mandarin-residents-and-avid-kayakers-adopt-bartram-canoe

http://bartramcanoetrail.blogspot.com/