Exposing Hogans Creek

[Noone]

I am Downtown.

After participating in Wend. Evening CoWorkJax fast pith and listening to 5 entrepreneurial presentations by 1.Kitchen Sync, 2.Weight Loss Coffee, 3. SCORE, 4. Law Enforcement Hub, and 5. Restroom Alert I wanted to continue in joining Mayor Brown in making Downtown a Destination and not a pass through and that is what I did the next day by kayaking on Hogans Creek.

I put in at the new kayak launch at Catherine St. High tide was around 10:30 and I wanted to catch the outgoing tide. Also With President Obama visiting Jacksonville I wanted to mark this period of Jacksonville history by being Downtown and fishing under the brand new No Fishing signs that was never before Waterways and that is exactly what I did and what an adventure it was.

With an outgoing tide the bird activity was strong. The shopping cart depth meter chart is showing one wheel just out of the water. The wind is strong and I'm just thinking of just what it will be like in the river. Going under Bay St. And the new massive dredging and widening project that also was never before Waterways is indicating a chop in the river that has you sitting up straight and paying acute attention to the paddle that lies in front of you. The benefit of this open Waterway test before you have to commit to entering the strong currents of the river is to allow for anyone to change their mind as it relates to safety. My destination was the cavernous pockets under Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman.

Many of you who have kayaked this with me in the past may recall how we would take the kayak out to the mouth and sometimes turn around and head back on Hogans Creek. Today as I approached the tip of the northern most Pier even though  there was a chop it felt managable so around it I went. The storm clouds were building and were still in the distance. When I got to Berkman I was able to take it under and then had a great time fishing. I brought a radio and while President Obama is making a scene at the Prime Osborn I'm participating in a Downtown Destination River Activity that you can only dream about. I caught 5 reds, 3 drum, 1 croaker, and 1 catfish. The rain was coming down hard. After the rain stopped it was time to take it back.

The tide is still heading out. I emerge under Berkman next to the Riverwalk and I'm just staring at the Public Pier. The recent news stories on TV about Intuition Ale House with Ben Harris and Jerry Mallot with the chamber should be the biggest wake up call for this community.

So here is my trip back. Instead of getting out at a floating pocket Pier next to the Riverwalk that is UNDER CONSTRUCTION to connect to Bay ST. I now have to take it back to Catherine St. Now don't get me wrong it's a lot better than knowing that I would be paddling back to the marina at Metro Park. The Berkman marina is empty except for one boat. Garbage is floating everywhere especially after the heavy rain. How are we going to market this to visitors?

I'm doing a Vivian Harrell blue bag cleanup on the way back just targeting the floating bottles. I'm able to take it under all the piers and that makes for a fun paddle. The shopping cart depth meter chart is showing the handle bars and the creek is ripping out with just so much garbage floating everywhere. How are we going to market this to visitors?

When I reach the rapids of Hogans Creek I do give it the old college try and paddle through it. Just can't. So it is at this point that everyone needs to realize that you are now going to have to get out of your kayak and walk to deeper water again. For the diehards this won't be a problem. So be aware of the tides. How are we going to market this to visitors?

Yesterday was special on so many levels. I took pictures and shared them with the Commissioners of FIND last night in Fernandina. I told them that I still don't have a sponsor. I find such inspiration and motivation in what they are doing as they represent the East Coast of the state of Florida.

Who's next?

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Noone]

Today making a scene with a tactical paddle that just allowed enough time before the water level dropped before the fun factor would escape this opportunity to showcase another Downtown Destination River activity on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative was Mike Clark with the Times Union and Myself.

We met behind the Old St. Luke's Hospital and my secret intent was to have a Vivian Harrell blue bag already filled before Mike arrived but he was already there and with an enthusiasm on both of our parts we were ready to have some fun on this waterway. My 6 single kayaks were stolen from my residence and Mike had heard about that but thank goodness they didn't steal the two seaters.

It was an outgoing tide. Water clarity was good. The level of the water made me nervous if we would make it all the way up to Beaver and Wahington and the new kayak launch at Catherine St. Mike wanted to shoot some video and the bird activity was very strong from the start to the finish.

With the cleanup next week there is plenty of garbage again every where. It is some of the thickest garbage that I have ever seen. As we paddle and it's been 6 weeks or so since I've been on this Waterway I'm thinking is there a shot that Mike will have where there isn't garbage in the shot. Like I said the bird activity was strong and those shots of a mature thick tree canopy will bring us all back to a good place.

The paddle up to Washington and Beaver was relaxed with little wind and an outgoing tide that was steady and not ripping. The rapids of Hogans creek were just barely passible? Mike was capturing a beautiful white heron that was perched in the leaning tree centered right in the middle of the creek with a lush green backdrop that was a poster card opportunity that seems to be captured whenever anyone is paddling this creek.

We made it pass The kayak launch at Catherine St. One person was there just getting up. Altough the camps are still dotting the area that was the only person we saw. The stretch of hard sand was catching us and after one or two adjustments we made it to the barrier that creates the disconnect of Hogans Creek.

I shared with Mike that Hogans Creek continues on the other side of the road. Klutho Park and Confederate Park. Are they important  and have their own issues. Yes. I've been drawn to this part of Hogans. I remember doing a paddle with City Life and he showed me Klutho Park and Hogans creek that runs through there.

We have the Upper, Middle, Lower Basin of the St. Johns River
We have the Upper, Middle, Lower sections of Hogans Creek.

I'll visit the Upper and Middle but give me the Lower. I want to. We should all want to be proud of these urban Waterway treasures. The lower for me I've seen Manatees, gators, turtles, the blue crabs dancing by the dozens when you catch it right on that sandy stretch from Washington to Beaver and the sun with a clarity off the sand is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Dana Morton before he left the city had said that things are improving. I've caught reds, trout, croaker, have seen schools of mullet. And I don't consider myself to be a real fisherman. But it's FUN!

So now with the hardest part of the paddle behind us Mike and I are floating with the current and again the bird activity is strong. We make it by the rapids of Hogans Creek and we are scraping the bottom. Once past our original launch site we are taking it through the Maxwell House plant. The shopping cart depth meter chart is showing two wheels exposed and about another foot below that the water line.

The sandy beach is exposed within the Maxwell House property as is the other one near Bay Street. As we enter under Bay St. to the river you and everyone else can See the massive widening that has taken place and was never before the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. Why not? look at the restoration if that is what you want to call it. metro jax captures it with the pictures that are on this story. I digress.

As we enter the river we are still slightly sheltered. The wind has picked up. I was going to turn around and take it back but decided to keep going. I mentioned to Mike in the past that at this point of any paddle you need to reasses your kayaking skills because once you get out in the main channell your going left. Again it gets back to safety zones. Nothing more nothing less.

We get out past the last pier and Mike is getting some great shots. The ospreys are flying above us. A heron is perched under a part of the pier and being in a kayak with this angle we are the only ones that know he is even there. There is a vibrancy and excitement that just you want to share this treasure with everyone that Visits Jacksonville.

We are past the pier and the look and feel of the river just engulfs you as all of a sudden you have now entered into a new paddling zone. We are heading out and now are taking it back in. It was so much fun to share the morning with Mike.

As another poster writes "We are a sum of its parts" And the part I shared with Mike is my concern about Access.

I so much wanted to share some other Downtown Waterway Destinations with him and they are all on the Northbank. McCoys Creek, Sidney Geffen Park, Ram dock, Going under the courthouse parking lot and Berkman and the number one Downtown Destination location is the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier Shipyards III.

But we did Hogans Creek. A city issue. A neighborhood issue, A Federal Issue, A State issue, A Downtown Issue. It's an issue that's ready for action and everyone is ready to participate.

Let's Make It Happen.

Who's next?

[Noone]

New survey stakes next to Hogans Creek at Washington and Beaver. Any idea what's going on?

Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting today in 5 1/2 hours. presentation by the administration (RK) on the agenda. Still waiting on a letter of support from the administration (RK) that can be taken to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission and the Jacksonville city council as it relates to the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier Shipyards III.

But Hey! That may all be water under the bridge (Public Access to our Pier) 2011-364, (RAM DOCK)not before Waterways.

IBM Smarter Cities Challenge-What is one of their top recommendations?
Remember SCAD?

Four days ago 12 people made a scene as part of the International Coastal Cleanup and before the Jaguars home opener at Hogans Creek and pulled out more than 1300 pounds of garbage in two hours.

A special shout out to Vivian Harrell who is no longer with Keep Jacksonville  Beautiful.  Vivian you were a real motivator and inspiration.

A special shout out to Keith Myers after telling him that I had 6 kayak stolen from my residence (Dist.4 is a crime wave) brought his and gave it to me and that LLBean Manatee kayak I know for me is the new poster child in continuing to bring awareness to not only Hogans Creek but other Urban Core Waterways as we get ready to tell the world to

VISIT JACKSONVILLE
Or
DON'T VISIT JACKSONVILLE

So 4 days ago with a lot of inward emotion it was a solo kayak and cleanup paddle of Hogans Creek. The weather was beautiful and the tides were high.  Too bad we didn't have the previous floating armada of FIeld, PeeJayEss, The Capt. And others congregating in spots that were solid one or two Vivian Harrell blue bag guarantees.

Shout out to Justin from UNF and Richard there with his Mom and working for his Boy Scout service hours for there help in that when I had a bag filled I'd paddle by and do the handoff. Full bag for an empty bag.

As Vivian would always say "Hogans Creek is not a fluff site." Any way the paddle around the creek was almost over before you knew it. I did take the kayak through the Maxwell House Plant. The shopping cart depth meter chart was a good foot over the wheels. Like I said high tide. Bird activity was minimal.

I paddled out to the river and just picked up primarily floating debris. The tide had changed and the paddle back wasn't bad.

I don't remember the names of all the others but what a team effort by a small number in two hours.

Waterways today.
A new DIA, city council vote pending on Board members.
Hogans Creek.

Who's next?

[Noone]

Whats going on with Hogans Creek? Survey stakes everywhere. Is this the start of a PUBLIC, PRIVATE, PARTNERSHIP DISASTER? Does the administration even have a clue as to what's going on?
Renee Finley
Will the 100's and 100's of marked trees be saved or removed?
Is there mitigation on this if the whole area is clear cut?
Should this be in front of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission?
Any news media outlet that wants to do a news story just call me and you can have all the footage and not to mention the fun that we will have when you see this Downtown Urban Waterway Destination.
Have a tandem kayak and you can sit in the front and just capture a sustainable ecosystem that appears to be ready to be destroyed.
Special shout out to any news media and regional partners outside of Duval county.
DEMOLITION! It's not just buildings.
Be concerned.
What's going on?

[billy]

Do the trees have "x"s painted on them?

[thelakelander]

Where are the trees in question?

[bobsim]

 Please, help us out with some more info. Was at Klutho Park Sunday and didn't see any stakes or marked trees.  I wasn't looking for them but fairly sure I would have noticed new paint on trees and survey stakes... Where's this going on?

[Noone]

New survey stakes next to Hogans Creek at Washington and Beaver. Any idea what's going on?

Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting today in 5 1/2 hours. presentation by the administration (RK) on the agenda. Still waiting on a letter of support from the administration (RK) that can be taken to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission and the Jacksonville city council as it relates to the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier Shipyards III.

But Hey! That may all be water under the bridge (Public Access to our Pier) 2011-364, (RAM DOCK)not before Waterways.

IBM Smarter Cities Challenge-What is one of their top recommendations?
Remember SCAD?

Four days ago 12 people made a scene as part of the International Coastal Cleanup and before the Jaguars home opener at Hogans Creek and pulled out more than 1300 pounds of garbage in two hours.

A special shout out to Vivian Harrell who is no longer with Keep Jacksonville  Beautiful.  Vivian you were a real motivator and inspiration.

A special shout out to Keith Myers after telling him that I had 6 kayak stolen from my residence (Dist.4 is a crime wave) brought his and gave it to me and that LLBean Manatee kayak I know for me is the new poster child in continuing to bring awareness to not only Hogans Creek but other Urban Core Waterways as we get ready to tell the world to

VISIT JACKSONVILLE
Or
DON'T VISIT JACKSONVILLE

So 4 days ago with a lot of inward emotion it was a solo kayak and cleanup paddle of Hogans Creek. The weather was beautiful and the tides were high.  Too bad we didn't have the previous floating armada of FIeld, PeeJayEss, The Capt. And others congregating in spots that were solid one or two Vivian Harrell blue bag guarantees.

Shout out to Justin from UNF and Richard there with his Mom and working for his Boy Scout service hours for there help in that when I had a bag filled I'd paddle by and do the handoff. Full bag for an empty bag.

As Vivian would always say "Hogans Creek is not a fluff site." Any way the paddle around the creek was almost over before you knew it. I did take the kayak through the Maxwell House Plant. The shopping cart depth meter chart was a good foot over the wheels. Like I said high tide. Bird activity was minimal.

I paddled out to the river and just picked up primarily floating debris. The tide had changed and the paddle back wasn't bad.

I don't remember the names of all the others but what a team effort by a small number in two hours.

Waterways today.
A new DIA, city council vote pending on Board members.
Hogans Creek.

Who's next?

This was on the radar 6 days ago.
Washington and Beaver.
Both sides of the creek.
Also new survey stakes behind the Jacksonville Historical Society and casket factory next to the creek.

[fsujax]

it may have something to do with the ash remediation project.

[fieldafm]

it may have something to do with the ash remediation project.

The ash remediation work (which has not started) is way North of the area Noone is refering to.  There is a large strip of land that is owned by COJ along the Creek's shore.  Assuming the person that owns the two parcels next to Beaver/Washington is having the land surveyed for future site work. 

[Miss Fixit]

Those survey stakes are all good - more later!

[Noone]

Do the trees have "x"s painted on them?

Those survey stakes are all good - more later!

Billy the trees have green tape around them and are numbered. Appears to be on both sides of the creek and are they part of the P3 formula Public and Private land. So are they to be saved or removed?

Where's Renee Finley and the Administration on this?

The survey stakes are different and so what is the good news now?

Should we be concerned? YES!

[billy]

Appears (fingers crossed) to mean trees to be saved.
Wasn't there funding in place for a pedestrian/bike path?

[Noone]

I am Downtown.

Two days out from a special Jacksonville Waterways Committee meeting by last years chair Gary Anderson, and JWC members Scott Shine, Lane Burnett, and Ralph Hodges on the upcoming FIND grant application cycle for 2013 projects that has 12 projects on a list and the Oak Harbor Boat Ramp and the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier Shipyards III aren't on the list had me returning to Hogans Creek. There is now a DIA and CRA component to this process.

We are so Lost.

The recent story and video by Mike Clark with the Florida Times Union was another reason to make a scene today as we continue to give Thanks for the opportunities that are right there for everyone instead of the self serving behind the scenes and out of the Sunshine decisions that are being made behind closed doors.

So with clear blue skies an outgoing tide I put in behind the old St. Luke's Hospital and casket factory. the homeless camps were active and I said hello to a few people as I made it past the shopping cart depth meter chart that was showing two wheels. Once I entered the Maxwell House Plant I spotted a plover darting around the rocks. A kingfisher was also a welcome site. The aroma of coffee was pleasantly strong.

I brought my fishing poles and had a dozen shrimp and my other objective was to fish under the brand new NO Fishing signs that was never before the Jacksonville Waterways Commission near the Downtown Core. Once past the super dredge project that was also never before the Jacksonville Waterways Commission the boat traffic is very heavy and the tide is ripping. This was also a lesson in evaluating a safety concern for entering the river. The swirls and the current around that first pier will have you paddling hard. once on the other side there is a boat anchored up. I told them that I was taking it to Berkman. I hugged the straight bulkheads of the Northbank as I took it to Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman.

The Fishing was fantastic. Had two reds, two trout and two mangrove snapper. Lost 3 in the pilings. The river and riverwalk was active. Boat traffic continued to be strong and something to be aware of. It was important for me to be on our Downtown Waterway knowing that decisions are being made and our opportunity to participate in how our taxpayer dollars are being spent especially to our Waterways are being circumvented. This is not good.

The paddle back was swift. A different boat was anchored next to the last pier next to Hogans Creek. Spotted the plover as I entered the Maxwell House Plant. The smell of the coffee was very strong. The shopping cart depth meter chart has a good two wheels exposed. Water clarity was very good. Unfortunately the garbage continues to be thick everywhere.

Lets continue to be Thankful for our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative.

Who's next?

[Noone]

I am Downtown. I'm All in. And Why you aren't.

Today with an out of town guest it was time after the Secret FIND list was announced at a Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting that nobody knew about to make a tactical, epoch, kayak paddle that will provide a spark for Public Access and Economic opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a Federal Initiative in our newly created Authority Zone.

We stopped by the Public Fishing Pier to be told that the Public is not allowed at the Public Fishing Pier today. I'm All In.

Beautiful weekend for this snowbird who is in shorts and a t shirt. Can they do that? Sure they can it's an Authority. And our city council members just voted themselves Free Parking as we are now driving by all the Public/Private Parking lots that were charging big bucks.

We had a time crunch and put in at Hogans Creek. Like I said beautiful conditions for this December kayak paddle in a t shirt. Put in at the P3 launch behind the Old St. Luke's Hospital and casket factory. Incoming tide and the homeless camps that are empty are dotting the area.

The paddle out had the shopping cart depth meter chart showing the wheels 5 inches below the water. Water clarity was poor. Little wind and we just enjoyed the paddle out. Boat traffic was light.

With the high incoming tides we tried some different spots. Primarily worked the piers and the brand new No Fishing signs that was never before Waterways. We had a red and a catfish.

The paddle back against the current especially going around the piers was sporty. The tide was ripping and this was a paddle and trip that just had us doing this without regard to easier current and tides.

The highlight for me occurred while paddling around the pier a cormorant popped up right next to my paddle as I was cutting through the water in a forward stroke motion and as my paddle enters the water the bird pops up and it's just as startled as I am and it's upward flight which was right next to me and literally all I would have had to do was put my hand in the water and pick him up in the air.

The tide is still coming in and the shopping cart depth meter chart is out of view. We spot a plover not only on the way in but had seen one on the way out. Ospreys were everywhere. he asked me if I had ever seen a gator. I told him a couple of times. Once with Tom Chatman from Orlando. Another time with Susan Cooper Eastman. But unfortunately the Maxwell House Plant had a trapper called in and now I can't report or share with anyone if there is one there or not. Have seen a manatee before. How cool is that.

Did a small cleanup and took it back to the house as we navigated out.

10 days out from the next full meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting that will go over the new Secret 2013 FIND grant cycle project list that will now have to be approved by our full Jacksonville city council thanks to 2012-402.

Will the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier be on the list?

Hey Governor Scott, Let's get to Work- Just not in Jacksonville.

Are we 9 days out from the next DIA Board meeting? Anyone.

VISIT JACKSONVILLE
         If
You can FIND us.

Who's next?