Castaway Preserve Park

Metro Jacksonville · August 31, 2011, 03:08:06 AM

Castaway Preserve Park

This natural wildlife haven, nestled on San Pablo Road, offers nature trails, wildlife guides, picnic areas, fishing docks, and access to canoeing and kayaking. Metro Jacksonville goes exploring through this preservation gem.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-aug-castaway-preserve-park

Noone · August 31, 2011, 05:04:52 AM

Nice picks Sarah. What a benefit for the people in that area and the city. I support the Preservation Parks. I attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and remeber riding a trolley and sitting next to Susie Wiles. It was hot that day.

The small craft launch is a challenge at low tide. Nice that you were able to get the pics at high tide.

FIND is a huge partner. Ironic that there is a FIND subcommittee meeting in 4 hrs at city hall on canoe and kayak launches on the 4TH floor city hall. Open to the Public. Lets continue to use the river.

Garden guy · August 31, 2011, 06:32:56 AM

Never been there but i can't wait..it's beautiful...i did'nt see..but are dogs allowed?....

Gravity · August 31, 2011, 10:30:06 AM

Awesome, always wondered what was back there. It definitely didnt look that big. Thanks for the info!

fieldafm · August 31, 2011, 04:44:06 PM

Sarah... really great job with this one!!!

The Jacksonville Intracoastal Salt Marsh Paddling Trail is one of the TRUE gems in this city(and there really are many).

Castaway links up to a defined network of truly pleasurable natural parks along the intracoastal that all have great facilities for hand lauched vessels. One day soon, I hope the urban neighborhoods are linked up with a similar designated blueway/park system.

I would add to the discussion:

The complete intracoastal blue way map
Found in PDF form here
http://jaxintracoastalpaddling.org/images/ICW2.pdf

Here is the canoe trail map and corresponding GPS coordinates

JaxNative68 · August 31, 2011, 05:50:27 PM

That area is great for catching reds, trout and flounder. When leaving your car unattended for long periods of time in that parking lot be sure to keep any valuables out of sight. I have heard of many smash and grabs at that location. Finding your window gone and your vehicle ransacked is a bad way to end a peaceful day kayaking the backwater.

SarahTay · August 31, 2011, 05:54:36 PM

Quote from: Garden guy on August 31, 2011, 06:32:56 AM
Never been there but i can't wait..it's beautiful...i did'nt see..but are dogs allowed?....

Yes! The rules state "dogs must be leashed" though ... BUT when I was out there, there was maybe one other lone explorer, so I doubt anyone would notice. If your dog's trained, have at it. There is a "park ranger" that was walking around, but obliviously at that...

danem · September 01, 2011, 10:16:19 PM

This is a very useful article to me as I work off San Pablo and live near Atlantic. I'm always looking for good hiking/nature places nearby.

Jack · September 06, 2011, 02:18:23 PM

Dogs are definitely welcome at this park. I've been there, and it is as beautiful as it looks here. It will be better after the heat breaks, though. There can be quite a lot of bugs.

north miami · September 06, 2011, 08:00:08 PM

Quote from: Noone on August 31, 2011, 05:04:52 AM

FIND is a huge partner. Ironic that there is a FIND subcommittee meeting in 4 hrs at city hall on canoe and kayak launches on the 4TH floor city hall. Open to the Public. Lets continue to use the river.

Keith-N-Jax · September 06, 2011, 09:55:44 PM

Nice indeed, but you can see most of those animals in your neighborhood. Great part about living in Florida.

Shine · October 04, 2011, 08:03:48 AM

I live near Castaway Island and check in there a good bit. Highly underutilized while in a densely populated area. Went for years with a Kayak launch that was only usable at high tide so a lot of people are unaware of the improvements.