Exchange Club Island tops City FIND listQuoteThe mayor's office and City have begun reviewing possible projects in and near the St. Johns River, with both expressing interest to make improvements to Exchange Club Island below the Mathews Bridge.
Mayor Alvin Brown has released his prioritized list of projects he would like to seek matching funds for from the Florida Inland Navigational District.
The City's Waterways Commission district subcommittee discussed the list at a Jan. 7 meeting and the full commission will discuss Jan. 28.
The proposed Exchange Club Island project is to design and permit a small boat dock and shoreline kayak area for the island to improve boater access. The project also calls for a hiking trail and pavilions with tables and grills.
full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=538484
A really unique asset in an urban area. Good work from the Mayor's Office.
Great idea, hope it happens.
Great idea, now if we could just figure out how to get a streetcar line on the island... ;)
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. Normally I would say why are we building a new park when we have parks that look like crap but its such a unique example that it does not apply.
^The funny thing is Exchange Club Island is a park. We just forgot about maintaining it. In a way, all they would be doing is replacing what was once there.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Neighborhoods/Exchange-Club-Island-September/i-VP43qZv/0/M/exchangeisland-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Neighborhoods/Exchange-Club-Island-September/i-9nJLVdF/0/M/P1410160-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Neighborhoods/Exchange-Club-Island-September/i-qVvGvVF/0/M/P1410163-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Neighborhoods/Exchange-Club-Island-September/i-pGDXhHz/0/M/P1410149-M.jpg)
Kind of a dumb name. It needs a new one.
I recommend Tacachale Park.
Fantastic idea, great news!!
I played paintball on there once when I was in college. We used to take my friend's boat out there a lot. It is pretty cool, even if there isn't really anything on it. I definitely think it would make a great park.
Maybe we could build an amphitheater on it and have concerts.
Let me guess, it will be called Alvin Brown island.
I think it was improved, to some extent, a few decades ago. It wasn't long before vandals destroyed the picnic areas, and whatever else had been set up. Maybe we could get Mr. LaPierre to move out to the island?
Quote from: thelakelander on January 11, 2013, 12:24:02 PM
Exchange Club Island tops City FIND list
QuoteThe mayor's office and City have begun reviewing possible projects in and near the St. Johns River, with both expressing interest to make improvements to Exchange Club Island below the Mathews Bridge.
Mayor Alvin Brown has released his prioritized list of projects he would like to seek matching funds for from the Florida Inland Navigational District.
The City's Waterways Commission district subcommittee discussed the list at a Jan. 7 meeting and the full commission will discuss Jan. 28.
The proposed Exchange Club Island project is to design and permit a small boat dock and shoreline kayak area for the island to improve boater access. The project also calls for a hiking trail and pavilions with tables and grills.
full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=538484
Wanted to Bump this because we are 9 days out from the next Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting 5/15/13 at 9:30 am council chambers. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to vote on the Boat Ramp Master Plan that is moving forward in a positive legislative process because that can also be added to the upcoming FIND application package.
QuoteExchange Island to add dock, two pavilions
By Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor
Exchange Club Island, land accessible by boat under the Mathews Bridge, is in design for amenities to shore up its designation as a city park.
The St. Johns River Water Management District is reviewing an application to develop amenities on the southeast side of Exchange Island to include a 60-foot floating dock, a 105-foot metal gangway, 236 linear feet of a 6-foot sidewalk and two 12-by-12 pavilions.
There will be no utilities.
The project, under the purview of the city Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, also will have a shoreline kayak launch.
Site plans show two berthing areas along the floating dock and the gangway onto the island with a walkway to the separate pavilions.
The plans were filed Monday. HDR Engineering Inc. is the project engineer.
full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=542847
QuoteKind of a dumb name. It needs a new one.
Alvin Brown presents the Alvin Brown Sanctuary.
Where are we with the $800,000 plus dredge?
Will this be considered to be in the new DIA boundary?
Exchange Island falls just outside of the DIA's boundaries.
It's not from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Mathews?
At the 4/30/14 special meeting of the CRA/DIA in the USA a member of the consultant team Michael Tabb of RedRock Global during a presentation indicated that there is 4.8 miles of Waterways control and that is a different number than 3 miles given by DIA Board member Mike Saylor during a previous DIA meeting. Welcome any correction to these numbers.
The biggest news is the new docking Rules and the penalties that were given at the 4/2/14 Noticed Public meeting attended by Chair of Waterways and Dist.4 Jacksonville city councilman Don Redman. Has any of this information been provided to the members of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission at the April 9th JWC meeting? I have left numerous messages. Scott Wilson feel free to jump in here at any time. Will this along with a FIND update be given at the next 5/14/14 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting.
Any news on the dredge?
CRA/DIA in the USA meeting today at 3pm 1st floor city hall and is open to the Public. New Rules for the Waterways. Will the next level include you? This CRA process is concluding then will move to the city council.
Quote from: Noone on May 01, 2014, 10:38:04 PM
It's not from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Mathews?
It is. However, I don't believe the boundary crosses the river near the Mathews.
Respectfully, I'd say yes.
Exchange Club Island used to be called "Rabbit Island". A sea captain named "Captain Lucky" used to live in a house that was on the south tip of the island. He brought a bunch of rabbits to the island that multiplied rapidly. Well, so the story goes. I fish there quite regularly.
Some people call it rattlesnake island.
There will be a kayak race from Metro park around it and back to Metro Park on May 17th.
http://www.rivercitychallenge.org/
QuoteCity receives $171,000 to make island into a kayaking destination
An island in the middle of the St. Johns River, close to the Mathews Bridge, has remained untouched for years. But now, the Exchange Club Island might be getting the amenities necessary to turn it into a travel destination for kayakers. Mayor Alvin Brown has thrown his support behind plans to boost visitation and use of the Exchange Club Island, according to the Florida Times-Union. His administration recently received funding from the Florida Inland Navigation District, totaling about $171,000 over two years. In addition, the city will spend about $194,000 of tax money on the project.
The money will be used to install a floating dock measuring about 60 feet, a kayak landing, as well as trails and picnic areas. A camping area may be added to the island later on. The 34-acre island has a history of plans falling through. Although owned by the city since the 1950s, plans by the Exchange Club to develop it were dropped due to repeated vandalism. Construction on the island could start as early as this summer.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2014/12/city-receives-171-000-to-make-island-into-a.html
Its value is less as a kayak destination without a restroom. However it was good to see the kayak beach next to the dock. Kayaks, and canoes prefer beach entry and exit over docks.