Poster, Noone, invited me on a kayak trip and I have a hard time saying no, so, we met up and put-in at Hogan's creek.
What an amazing trip! More people really need to know about this. Was it messy? Yes. Was there trash? Yes. But I couldn't help but look completely beyond all of that and imagine if more people knew what was right here running through the city, that the trash wouldn't be there.
We saw the remains of the old railway, brick foundations and chimneys from 100 year-old buildings, nesting herons, tons of fish jumping, and DOLPHINS!!
It really is a shame that more things aren't taken advantage of to make instant changes, such as utilizing the old piers from the port for public fishing and/or food vendors. After paddling on the St. John's against the current, I really could've used a drink! I would have loved to have paddled up to the pier and gotten a lemonade and a fish taco :-) But I digress. Here's pics of the trip:
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095124.jpg)Hogan's Creek meets the St. John's
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095119.jpg)MMmmm, Cofffeeeeee
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095520.jpg)Hello, Mr. Nooney!
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095506.jpg)Perfect kayaking shoes.
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_100656.jpg)Downtown
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_102042.jpg)Stadium
Thanks for the trip, Noone! Definitely need to do it again :-)
This is awesome, MadamePK!
Ah I want to go kayaking with Noone! I can rent one and join you, Noone! I actually never kayakked through Hogan's Creek.
-Josh
Looks great I need to do this.
It really is a lot of fun. It has been a while since I've been on the creek much less any clean up work. We had some momentum going this past winter that we need to recapture. Perhaps a trip next weekend? Early morning 4th of July? Who is up for it?
Quote from: dougskiles on June 24, 2011, 05:28:19 PM
It really is a lot of fun. It has been a while since I've been on the creek much less any clean up work. We had some momentum going this past winter that we need to recapture. Perhaps a trip next weekend? Early morning 4th of July? Who is up for it?
Can we invite our Mayor Elect Alvin Brown to Hogan's Creek cleanup? People will see that which is WIN WIN for him and Hogan's Creek!
-Josh
That would be quite a trip. I would invite him, but am not on the inside with our new mayor.
Quote from: dougskiles on June 24, 2011, 05:47:14 PM
That would be quite a trip. I would invite him, but am not on the inside with our new mayor.
What does that mean, "Not on the inside?"
Are there only "certain" people who will be granted an audience with his majesty? I can't believe that this "insulate the important people from the rabble" has already begun. That's not what I signed on for.
Quote from: wsansewjs on June 24, 2011, 04:50:23 PM
This is awesome, MadamePK!
Ah I want to go kayaking with Noone! I can rent one and join you, Noone! I actually never kayakked through Hogan's Creek.
-Josh
Josh,
I'd love to take you. We'll Make it Happen.
MadamePK it was so much fun. Thanks for posting the pics. We are part of the ingrediants that will make for a vibrant downtown. Lets be allowed to participate and it will happen.
I think Noone has invited most of us to go kayaking with him. I only wish my corporate overlords would give me a break from mandatory [unpaid] overtime to take him up on the offer. Looks like a ton of fun.
Quote from: Ralph W on June 24, 2011, 10:15:52 PM
What does that mean, "Not on the inside?"
It only means that I don't know him well enough to ask him if he would spend part of a holiday weekend kayaking with me. Nothing else implied. If anyone does, then please do so.
But - back to original question - is anyone else up for an early morning Independence Day Paddle and Cleanup?
Quote from: dougskiles on June 25, 2011, 08:46:07 AM
Quote from: Ralph W on June 24, 2011, 10:15:52 PM
But - back to original question - is anyone else up for an early morning Independence Day Paddle and Cleanup?
-----NOTICE ---- In any cleanup operation,effort do not go near or disturb the Noone Shopping Cart Depth Finder-an important navigation structure and point of historical and community value.
Great pictures! I'd like to go down there sometime. It's a shame that it is so under-utilized and forgotten by most, it would be great to have dozens of people out there every weekend. A revitalized Hogan's Creek is one of my top priorities for the new Brown administration.
Quote from: MadamePK on June 24, 2011, 04:34:07 PM
Poster, Noone, invited me on a kayak trip and I have a hard time saying no, so, we met up and put-in at Hogan's creek.
What an amazing trip! More people really need to know about this. Was it messy? Yes. Was there trash? Yes. But I couldn't help but look completely beyond all of that and imagine if more people knew what was right here running through the city, that the trash wouldn't be there.
We saw the remains of the old railway, brick foundations and chimneys from 100 year-old buildings, nesting herons, tons of fish jumping, and DOLPHINS!!
It really is a shame that more things aren't taken advantage of to make instant changes, such as utilizing the old piers from the port for public fishing and/or food vendors. After paddling on the St. John's against the current, I really could've used a drink! I would have loved to have paddled up to the pier and gotten a lemonade and a fish taco :-) But I digress. Here's pics of the trip:
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095124.jpg)Hogan's Creek meets the St. John's
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095119.jpg)MMmmm, Cofffeeeeee
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095520.jpg)Hello, Mr. Nooney!
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095506.jpg)Perfect kayaking shoes.
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_100656.jpg)Downtown
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_102042.jpg)Stadium
Thanks for the trip, Noone! Definitely need to do it again :-)
Questions...
How did the water smell?? Honestly?
Where was the most trash? Is it cleanable?
Are there places downtown either bank to rent those sort of boats?
Thats all I got.
When you're out on the water it doesn't really smell bad but when you get home your clothes stink. It is definitely not clean and I make sure not get any in my mouth. But the same can be said for the rest of the river.
Most of the trash is along the banks of the homeless camps. And most of the trash comes from them. Lots of empty malt liquor bottles and food wrappers.
No place to rent them, but if you let Noone know when you are going, I bet he would bring an extra. He has several.
Noone...would a two person Mowhawk Canoe be able to traverse your route ? ???
Common "stank smell" is actually Sulfur related,as in spring water,"Mud",low tide most evident.A rare maritime natural system.Main street bridge is the dividing line between fresh/salt for fishing license, downtown area waterways exhibit this salt / fresh ecotone.We can name a beer after it!(RiverKeeper,publicity committee please sit down.......)
Quips about Hogan Creek water quality directed to The City of Jacksonville-positive footing with COJ Tributary monitor program,Hogans Creek water quality improvements. COJ Dana Morton.
Trivia question:Where does Hogans Creek rank in COJ/Federal Duval County tributary restoration priority????
RELAX. Breathe in...........Breathe out........Deep,appreciative inhale..........now out.Again..........feel the oh so wonderful Stank. To the tune of the song......What's that smell.......Smell that smell....
Quote from: dougskiles on June 25, 2011, 08:46:07 AM
But - back to original question - is anyone else up for an early morning Independence Day Paddle and Cleanup?
Doug, I'd love to paddle with you in the am with you but for me I'm not sure yet if I'll be around and that is why I can't make a 100% commitment at this time. But if anyone does go I've been pulling stuff out and its just piling up under the FDOT bridge next to the casket company. I spoke with Vivian Harrell who supplied the dumpster for the March 19 clean up and I'm supposed to get with her again on just identifying and moving forward on some smaller scale approaches.
What time were you thinking about?
Coolyfett,
As for smell. For me personally I haven't detected any huge stench. Now when you are pulling out shopping carts or other big pieces of garbage and you stir up the sediment and then pull it out yes there is some smell. Now where we did an intense cleanup a couple of times up near Washington and Beaver it is more of a sand and dirt runoff and the bottom is harder and less of a silt sinking mud sediment.
Its cleanable. But the real challenge is just beginning. Regardless of the floating garbage it is a thriving ecosystem. To have had the opportunity to have seen a manatee, gator, heron chicks in a rookery, crabs fiddlers, fish all in an hour in the heart of our Downtown is nothing to turn our backs to.
Some of the homeless are cleaning up some of there areas. Not all but I ran into someone who had.
As for a rental location for kayaks I don't know of one Downtown
North Miami, I enjoy your posts and one of these days soon we need to Make it Happen on the water. Onward!
Ernest Street, A canoe could be a real challenge out in the river. It really depends on your skill level. That current can be dangerous for example when you are going out to the river there is a pier that juts out and depending on the tide it can draw you in and the last thing is that you want to happen is capsize. Throw in the wake of a boat and then you have another maneuver that you have to be aware of. I've never used a canoe.
Now on a high tide in the creek I think you would have no problem with the canoe. That would be a safety factor that I know I'd be comfortable with. If you want to try your canoe just let me know. I'm game.
Who wants to start the 4th and see this Downtown Urban Waterway Destination for yourself. Cal 434-0830,721-3321, Who wants to Make it Happen. Great conditions all morning.
Hi all, I am about to purchase a kayak and I am overwhelmed at the chooses. Any thoughts? I would use it solely for rec and maybe a little fishing. Also where could I get a list of launch points or points you can travel on the river or creeks? Any and all information would be greatly appreicated.
Hi F170,
Have you considered building one? Not too difficult and tools needed are few. The results are strong, pretty and light. I have rented many plastics but don't feel qualified to recommend any.
Good local forum for yak fishing: http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/phpBB/ (http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/phpBB/)
Launches:http://www.paddling.net/launches/ (http://www.paddling.net/launches/)
More launches: http://www.jacksonville-boating.com/boat_ramps.htm#Jacksonville (http://www.jacksonville-boating.com/boat_ramps.htm#Jacksonville)
We are lucky to have so many places to paddle and most are easily accessible. Enjoy!
Quote from: MadamePK on June 24, 2011, 04:34:07 PM
Poster, Noone, invited me on a kayak trip and I have a hard time saying no, so, we met up and put-in at Hogan's creek.
What an amazing trip! More people really need to know about this. Was it messy? Yes. Was there trash? Yes. But I couldn't help but look completely beyond all of that and imagine if more people knew what was right here running through the city, that the trash wouldn't be there.
We saw the remains of the old railway, brick foundations and chimneys from 100 year-old buildings, nesting herons, tons of fish jumping, and DOLPHINS!!
It really is a shame that more things aren't taken advantage of to make instant changes, such as utilizing the old piers from the port for public fishing and/or food vendors. After paddling on the St. John's against the current, I really could've used a drink! I would have loved to have paddled up to the pier and gotten a lemonade and a fish taco :-) But I digress. Here's pics of the trip:
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095124.jpg)Hogan's Creek meets the St. John's
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095119.jpg)MMmmm, Cofffeeeeee
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095520.jpg)Hello, Mr. Nooney!
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_095506.jpg)Perfect kayaking shoes.
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_100656.jpg)Downtown
(http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa479/Patti_Sue/IMG_20110624_102042.jpg)Stadium
Thanks for the trip, Noone! Definitely need to do it again :-)
Here is a great picture of the bridge over Hogans Creek that is now gone. Has anyone seen one news story on this?
Is it just me but can anyone imagine this as a street car stop. Notice the steps? How about a bike rack adjacent to this? Why wasn't this before Waterways? What is the plan?
Be concerned.
I'm scared to death. What are we doing?
Who wants to paddle Hogans Creek?
Who is going to Mayor Brown's small business expo tomorrow at 12?
Special shoutout to anyone outside of Duval county.
See also MJ Forum 2011 post authored by North Miami: Noone Hogans,McCoys,Fishweir Creek Trifecta
This came out of no where...
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/article/244396/3/City-Begins-Expansion-of-Northbank-Riverwalk
QuoteJACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There's work being done on Bay Street between the Police Memorial Building and The Sports complex. It could be called sowing seeds into the future growth of downtown.
"With the mayor's vision we've got to make the infrastructure is in place for development to occur," said Paul Crawford.
Dreams to expand the Northbank Riverwalk were crushed when a planned development failed.
Shortly after that a construction accident at the Berkman 2 plaza brought that project to a dead end; it's future is uncertain.
"I wish we could get some action by the developer but that isn't the city owned facility," said Crawford.
Crawford said the city is spending $270 thousand dollars to connect the Northbank Riverwalk to the sidewalks on Bay street.
"It was through funds that was appropriated by improvements to the shipyards by the previous administration," said Crawford.
Crawford, acting director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Council, said the expansion will have all of the amenities of the riverwalk.
"We're coming up to Bay Street so that we will have a loop for joggers to go back and forth or continue to the sports complex," he said.
At the same time the city is spending another $900 thousand to dredge Hogan's creek which is in the same block.
"It is the expansion of the Hogan's Creek," said Crawford.
The work, when it is finished, will relieve the flooding that happens around the Maxwell Coffee plant just about every time there's heavy rain.
The fact that the two projects are taking place at the same time is coincidental, but Crawford believes the million dollar investment that could spark new interest in downtown development.
"If we can go ahead and show physical improvements to the people who not only live here," said Crawford, "but people who are actually concerned about our downtown that shows progress."
Interesting.
How far upstream would dredging go?
Potential damage to banks?
BT scooped Noone. Now we know who's making it happen. :D
Cryptic and interesting quote...
Quote"It is the expansion of the Hogan's Creek," said Crawford.
Is this previously approved (Federal?) money that will be now be used to destroy the instrinsic natural qualities
of the creek?
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on March 01, 2012, 08:07:24 AM
BT scooped Noone. Now we know who's making it happen. :D
Not true. I spent my own money for a public records request a month ago to get the plans for what public works is doing with Hogans.
Quote"We're coming up to Bay Street so that we will have a loop for joggers to go back and forth or continue to the sports complex," he said.
This is an interesting quote, seeing as though Bay Street Pier Park could have been included in this work... yet 'no money was available for any more work on the Shipyards property'
the reality is the riverwalk already connects to bay St. at the Berkman Plaza circle.....but this will be more formal...kind of like what was built under I-95 connecting to Riverside Avenue
Quote from: fieldafm on March 01, 2012, 10:20:29 AM
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on March 01, 2012, 08:07:24 AM
BT scooped Noone. Now we know who's making it happen. :D
Not true. I spent my own money for a public records request a month ago to get the plans for what public works is doing with Hogans.
Quote"We're coming up to Bay Street so that we will have a loop for joggers to go back and forth or continue to the sports complex," he said.
This is an interesting quote, seeing as though Bay Street Pier Park could have been included in this work... yet 'no money was available for any more work on the Shipyards property'
Field... can you help explain what they will be doing with regards to the Hogans dredging project? The article is certainly vague...
Quote from: fieldafm on March 01, 2012, 10:20:29 AM
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on March 01, 2012, 08:07:24 AM
BT scooped Noone. Now we know who's making it happen. :D
Not true. I spent my own money for a public records request a month ago to get the plans for what public works is doing with Hogans.
Quote"We're coming up to Bay Street so that we will have a loop for joggers to go back and forth or continue to the sports complex," he said.
This is an interesting quote, seeing as though Bay Street Pier Park could have been included in this work... yet 'no money was available for any more work on the Shipyards property'
Bay St. Pier Park and just 11 months ago during the 2013 FIND grant application process the misrepresentation by OGC to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission on the 26' Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, Berkman floating dock compromise. This is our ad valorem property tax money. $100,000's and thousands of dollars..
The recent 11/13/13 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting and agenda number III - Blueway Designation REQUEST of the St. Johns River Alliance. 11 other counties had submitted a resolution. Duval county didn't. 11 counties!! A Backroom deal and nobody on the city council had a CLUE! Pull the tape. Our Legislative body left completely in the dark. Visit Jacksonville!
Hogans Creek and now 5 days out from a full Jacksonville city council vote on 2013-384 and the armory for a buck a year and will there be an amendment for 24/7 Public Access to Hogans Creek a tributary that leads to our St. Johns River an American Heritage River a FEDERAL, FEDRAL, FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone?
Be very concerned. RICO guys- Snap out of it. So many other examples.
Governor Scott- Please help.
Charlie C, Chopstick C, Please help.
The Public Trust in Jacksonville totally destroyed.
Quote from: Noone on December 05, 2013, 03:45:45 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on March 01, 2012, 10:20:29 AM
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on March 01, 2012, 08:07:24 AM
BT scooped Noone. Now we know who's making it happen. :D
Not true. I spent my own money for a public records request a month ago to get the plans for what public works is doing with Hogans.
Quote"We're coming up to Bay Street so that we will have a loop for joggers to go back and forth or continue to the sports complex," he said.
This is an interesting quote, seeing as though Bay Street Pier Park could have been included in this work... yet 'no money was available for any more work on the Shipyards property'
Bay St. Pier Park and just 11 months ago during the 2013 FIND grant application process the misrepresentation by OGC to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission on the 26' Jim Love, Kevin Kuzel, Berkman floating dock compromise. This is our ad valorem property tax money. $100,000's and thousands of dollars..
The recent 11/13/13 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting and agenda number III - Blueway Designation REQUEST of the St. Johns River Alliance. 11 other counties had submitted a resolution. Duval county didn't. 11 counties!! A Backroom deal and nobody on the city council had a CLUE! Pull the tape. Our Legislative body left completely in the dark. Visit Jacksonville!
Hogans Creek and now 5 days out from a full Jacksonville city council vote on 2013-384 and the armory for a buck a year and will there be an amendment for 24/7 Public Access to Hogans Creek a tributary that leads to our St. Johns River an American Heritage River a FEDERAL, FEDRAL, FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone?
Be very concerned. RICO guys- Snap out of it. So many other examples.
Governor Scott- Please help.
Charlie C, Chopstick C, Please help.
The Public Trust in Jacksonville totally destroyed.
Bumping another thread for the benefit of Cat in helping someone with more clues to win the Chopstick Charley's lunch contest if you can post a picture of the new Waterway signage that is Downtown and was never before the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. We are so LOST.