Enhancing the Tourist Experience of Jax - Use the River!!

[Noone]

I am Downtown.

Did it again today. Put in at the kayak launch at the marina on the Northbank and was fishing under the new no fishing signs that nobdy has a clue as to who authorized.

Anyway had a double hookup in less than an hour. Another Downtown Destination River Activity that you are no longer allowed to participate in unless you are in a boat. It wasn't in Waterways and its not being reported anywhere.

Big cleanup effort will be coming to Sidney Gefen Park. It Khan happen.

Who's next to say "I am Downtown?"

[north miami]

Noone, I suggest that certain restrictions to shore  based fishing are reasonable,appropriate within the Downtown setting?

Pick your battles and kiosk points

As to 'NO FISHING ' Signage directives the driver,funding etc  information is likely available with a little research,just as was Chelsea Street creek bank clearing activity.

Sounds like the fishing......catching skills are evolving,cool!  To fish Downtown yields a certain connection.

[Noone]

"I am Downtown."
We Khan all be Downtown too.

Took an out of town guest and we started with take out from Robert's eatery. We immediately took it to Sidney Gefen Park and enjoyed our lunch. Threw out a fishing line and enjoyed the vibrant activity that we were a part of. Somebody and I don't know who but they deserve huge pats on the back because the sandy beach and the vegetation and shrubs were cleared out. Was it a jail detail or the weekend community service detail or just some die hard volunteers? Sydney Gefen Park can and should be an additional kayak launch.  A safe launch.

After lunch we took it to Stonewall and Chelsea St.and paddled under the Times Union on McCoys Creek.   

[Noone]

Weather is warming up ideal conditions to showcase a Downtown Destination River Activity. Special shout out to any regional partner. Any media outside of Duval county.

Special shout out to anyone who promotes economic freedom and Public Access  to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative within an Independent Authority.

[02roadking]

The ships are scheduled to depart Mayport Naval Station the morning of Monday, April 30, and sail up the St. Johns River to moor near Jacksonville Landing around noon. We are hoping to welcome the tall ships in grand style; Fort Caroline is planning a cannon salute as they pass the National Park, and we invite those along the river to “wave them in” and for boats of all sizes to “sound their horns” as the flotilla makes its way to Downtown. We intend to provide other ships with the chance to participate as well, and for amateur photographers and videographers to be able to share their images online. To upload the name and details of your vessel or for information on sharing your photos and video from the day,  visit www.Commemorate450.coj.net

Visit website: http://www.coj.net/commemorate450/events/all-events/tour-a-french-vessel.aspx

[Noone]

02roadking super information. Definately quailifies as a Downtown Destination River Activity. Probably also explains why Khan's yacht is not moored Downtown as to make room for the tall ships.

RK have you been under the TU on McCoys Creek or the Duval county courthouse parking lot? If not would you like to go?

[02roadking]

I found this in Folio:
Jacksonville's first paddle race taking place downtown on the St. John’s River to benefit the North Florida Land Trust.
3 Mile and 8 Mile Races with a Festival and Music on the Southbank of the St. Johns River Saturday, May 5, 2012
http://www.rivercitychallenge.org/

[Noone]

^Another great Downtown Destination River Activity

[Noone]

Who wants to Make a Scene Downtown and participate in a wholesome Downtown Destination River Family Activity  on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative?

Great tide conditions today. The Tall Ships are Downtown. Welcome aboard!

The city reorg 2012-212- Pending legislation. For Who?

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Noone]

450 years of History and I was a part of it today by Making a Scene on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative in what may be soon known as an Independent Authority Zone.

Put the kayak in at the city marina at Metroploitan Park and paddled against the current to the two French tall ships Belle Poule and Etoile. They were docked on the Northbank next to the Hyatt. Talked with some onlookers and one guy was getting ready to paint a picture of the ships.

Brought the fishing poles and went under the Duval county courthouse parking lot and caught two nice reds 19" and 21" didn't stay long. In fact I rode the outgoing tide back to the city marina.

The people of Jacksonville should be concerned and outraged if legislation is not attached to 2012-212 and addressing the pier. SHIPYARDS III

Still haven't heard back from the Riverkeeper. Berkman-Where are you? Urban Core CPAC meeting in 6 days.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Noone]

Great conditions this afternoon for fishing under the brand new no fishing signs from the Hyatt to Metropolitan Park (Not before Waterways). Does anyone know the penalty for trespassing at the marina at Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman. Or is it true that there is a PUBLIC ACCESS slip for the people of Jacksonville. Anyone?

Urban Core CPAC meeting tomorrow.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Noone]

Yesterday I put in at River City Brewing kayak launch a day after participating in the first River City Challenge kayaking race. What a Great event.  I had waited for the afternoon to catch an outgoing tide.

I just want everyone to know that if you are going to kayak Downtown you need safety spots.

I was in the water and as soon as I got past the slips at the marina that were pulling you in. It was an outgoing tide. The wind just kicked up. I was immediately tracking and heading to the Hyatt. The river turned into white caps and I'm hitting some good swells. It turned sporty real fast. The outgoing tide and the wind made for a hard paddle. I just made it across and sought shelter under the Duval County courthouse parking lot.

So anyway I set up under a grate and two JSO officers on bikes saw me fishing. I had a couple of hits but didn't set the hook. I could see the clouds gathering and the officers had checked backed with me. I told them that I may have to use the empty marina at Berkman because there is no other safety option on the Northbank.

Anyway, an hour or two later and the river was back to a slick calm and I was able to paddle back to RCB. What another awesome trip. Little Vivian Harrell clean up. I was now catching the incoming tide and a super relaxed effortless paddle back.

Who's next?

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Noone]

Who's next? Tide conditions are beautiful right now. Anyone?

[Noone]

I am Downtown.

Today was another epoch paddle to reclaim Public Access and Economic Opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative in our yet to be voted on and approved by city council Downtown Independent Authority Zone. (2012-212, 2012-213)

I made a scene at another identified canoe and kayak launch location that was part of a submission list that was generated at the special Jacksonville Waterways Commission FIND subcommittee meeting that was chaired by Gary Anderson and included outgoing Duval county FIND representative Mike Messiano.  Councilman Don Redman, chair of Waterways was also in attendance. 2012-273 was this years FIND grant application and the canoe and kayak launch at the Duval county school board is another future safety zone and launch for joining Mayor Alvin Brown in making Downtown a Destination.

I arrived at the school board around 1. There was a man fishing and throwing a shrimp net for his bait. Rodney had just gotten there and was enjoying the beautiful day. I unloaded my kayak and as I was preparing another kayaker was paddling by in a touring kayak. It was an outgoing tide.

Years ago when I had the pleasure of kayaking Downtown this is where Howard Soloman and our group got out of the river. But today it was a launch location. It was an outgoing tide and I wanted to check out this location for going over to Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman and the adjacent Shipyards/Landmar Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier. Once in the water you are paddling immediately and you are paddling against the current. The river traffic was non existant for my paddle over but you are fighting the current and so it wasn't a straight shot across the river. The key is to get over to the piers as quick as possible.

I took it under Berkman Plaza and wanted to fish under the brand new no fishing signs that wasn't before Waterways. I had a time crunch but still had an opportunity to throw out a hook. Had a nice hookup but lost it in the pilings. It was less then an hour and I'm taking it back to the school board.

So this is  the trip back. I'm at the marina at Berkman. You are sheltered in this part of the river. I'm next to the riverwalk and my paddle is hitting the bottom its about 4 or 5' I'm looking at the pier and thinking how cool it would be to just get out at that safety zone and then go up to Mark's and have a cold one.

Instead I'm getting ready to head back to the school board. Its an outgoing tide and a good wind that is giving the river some rolling swells. At this time there are a number of boats (3) that are just booking it and you wonder just where do the no wake and manatee zones are because now you see these waves in the distance and they are coming toward you. The outgoing tide is pulling me in toward the pier and as the waves approach you have to turn and take the waves on straight or risk being swamped at the same time you are being drawn into the pier and I time a maneuver so that I can then paddle under the pier I emerge just two holes down from where these two fisherman are fishing and using the trolling motor to stay right up next to the pilings. For me this was another lesson in identifying safety concerns.

There are other boats that I encounter but they are not creating a wake and I just take it across the river and I'm at the sandy beach of the old JEA generating station. I take it back to the school board and Rodney is still there. He had a nice trout and a croker. There was another father and his daughter throwing out a line. It was another good test to share with everyone  as we want to tell everyone to VISIT JACKSONVILLE.

Who's next?

UC CPAC meeting in two days.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[billy]

How accessible is Hogans Creek these days?