Hogan’s Creek (Greenway) project could be ‘Hold on Creek’

[thelakelander]

According to John Pappas, deputy director of Public Works, the State Department of Transportation has set aside $1 million to build a 12-foot wide concrete pathway along a portion of east and north sides of the creek. However, since the 2002 study, new environmental concerns have cropped up, namely an ash remediation effort that hasn’t started and doesn’t have a price tag.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=52772

[Captain Zissou]

I read the full article, and I think the $1 million for a sidewalk is a misuse of funds.  I think that a beautiful and healthy creek is more important, and will attract more people to the area than a sidewalk next to an unhealthy creek.
The article does mention an ash remediation effort, which is good.  I wonder what is holding this process up.  I think I may walk the creek this weekend and look for myself.

[tufsu1]

It doesn't work that way....funding comes from different sources/agencies.

The sidewalk is being funded by FDOT....and they don't clean up creeks....that would be DEP, ACOE, or some other environmental agency.

[fsu813]

ash testing will begin relatively soon

[Noone]

I believe Hogans Creek can open now. Is there anyone else that wants to make it happen now? I'm serious.

[Ocklawaha]

Until they dredge it out and clean up that muck, it will be a great place to bicycle or walk and count the sludge muffins.

OCKLAWAHA

[Noone]

Ock, That can be said for a lot of places around Jacksonville. At the last Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting a plea was made for dredging on the Northside. Its not happening. Allow for Hogans Creek to be opened now maybe not for walking or cycling but for using the Waterway and people will want to Visit Downtown.

[north miami]

-----see also MJ Sept 2011 Downtown/Noone Hogans Creek Trifecta

[Noone]

It doesn't work that way....funding comes from different sources/agencies.

Funding? 2011-560 Shipyards/Landmar $23,250,000 an active piece of legislation that is right now in front of our city council can be used immediately for Hogans Creek, Attach an amendment. $23,000,000 we are getting ready to vote and say bye, bye. The TAXPAYERS got ripped off. Lied, cheated, stolen from. City Life want money for Confederate Park? Klutho Park? Hey new SPAR. Discuss this and if councilman Gaffney shows up ask him about this. Wheres THE HELP?

2011-560 was in Waterways yesterday. Councilman Redman is the chair and in my opinion is single handidly leading the conspiracy to deny the people of Jacksonville and the state of Florida to economic opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River. Who wants to be a 501-c?

The Public Trust just totally destroyed in this city.
The Aug.31st 2011 Waterways FIND subcommittee meeting identifying canoe and kayak launches other than RCB in the urban core had a primary focus on safety. SAFETY. SAFETY. We just had that boater drown.

Safety was also a concern at a presentation from out of state business owners that operated kayak businesses  to the Board of Downtown Vision Aug 24 and Redman was a no show for that meeting. Lets ignore the SAFETY. And the easiest fix is to identify locations in the URBAN CORE and Hogans Creek Is one. McCoys Creek is another. The Pier is another. Anyone else with a potential safety location other than RCB?

Sept. 17 cleanup at Hogans creek next to the casket factory, old St. Lukes Hospital. special thanks to Jerry Spinks, Emily Lisska for allowing the roll up dumpster and use of the parking lot. This will be from 9-11. There were about 10 at the last one. Anyone going to make it? Get a t-shirt for your efforts at RAM. As Vivian Harrell from Keep Jacksonville Beautiful says " Hogans Creek, It's not a fluff site."
   

[Ocklawaha]

Been thinking about this Noone. Wonder if a combined effort of the local outfitters, paddle clubs, ecology and a couple of city agencies such as Keep Jacksonville Beautiful could produce both kayak/canoe trail signs, as well as build sandy launch sites on several of the urban waterways.

We could mark Pottsburg Creek from Baymeadows to Atlantic, creating launch sites at small bridges. Craigs Creek comes up as another site that is protected and already within a city park. Goodbys can/could be paddled for a good 2 miles from north of San Clerc to San Jose and there is a natual park at the head of it. McGirts Creek from Argyle/Blanding or Collins is another possible excellent trail and landing sites. Seems like if we (all of the above) could create a map for all of the potential trails and launch sites we'd have a blueprint for success. The Broward, Cedar, Trout, Ribault River's and Cedar, Dunns, Clapboard Creek, Pablo Creek etc... I'd love to see these sandy launch points as far up stream as possible and as far away from motor craft as we can get. 501C Why not?

OCKLAWAHA

[fieldafm]

Been thinking about this Noone. Wonder if a combined effort of the local outfitters, paddle clubs, ecology and a couple of city agencies such as Keep Jacksonville Beautiful could produce both kayak/canoe trail signs, as well as build sandy launch sites on several of the urban waterways.



OCKLAWAHA

The whole issue that we have been fighting for Ock is access.  Until we get access, we can't really get launch points and signage up.  We're not asking for public money, we're just asking for the access to open up the river to such parties.  Once we have permission, I guarantee you I can get non-public money to open up this area.

See you Saturday morning?

Sept. 17 cleanup at Hogans creek next to the casket factory, old St. Lukes Hospital. special thanks to Jerry Spinks, Emily Lisska for allowing the roll up dumpster and use of the parking lot. This will be from 9-11. There were about 10 at the last one. Anyone going to make it? Get a t-shirt for your efforts at RAM. As Vivian Harrell from Keep Jacksonville Beautiful says " Hogans Creek, It's not a fluff site."

[bobsim]

 OK, I'm a little confused. I thought the issue was funding. BTW - Noone, I did send a letter to Councilman Gaffney to voice my support for this project. Reading this I'm wondering what you mean by access? Is there a reason why someone couldn't go to Hogans Creek right now and drop in a yak? Or by access do you mean a formal launch area?

[north miami]

Some define "access" as it relates to vendors.We need Outfitters......not an Outfitter.


I also strongly suggest it is about money and general public access needs.Money to develop these low impact/low cost/high yield hand launch access points.
"Access" to public waterways is a given,once you manage to get to the water.

Keep Jacksonville Beautiful mentioned above.

Had lunch with Noone today ( including a visit with Councilman Jim Love)-Noone shared with me the 2011 Florida Inland Navigation District package grant to Jacksonville;$5,000 for trash cleanup and 'education'.Keep Jax Beautiful noted.
(Such efforts,though welcome are guaranteed short term in value-most of the waterway trash loading originates from street drainage.'Education' efforts of limited success-the emphasis will have to be broadened- trash catch facilities,routine maitainance)

FIND is a funding vehicle.Apparently quite a lot of FIND activity of late at City Hall and Waterways Commission.

The RAM docks appeared as if by magic...to the tune of $400,000 +

The Kayak Navy stretches to the horizon,a positive force that will instill River City placement,promotion,River Access of historical proportion.

[Noone]

Whirlwind day with North Miami that started with an unannounced appearance by me and his gracious allotment of his time by squeezing in time after my arrival. Our first stop was at the office of Dist. 14 City council member and Jim Love. Jim met us and it was just a brief awareness that FIND projects are being identified and being submitted so if you have a dredging or Public Access issue for a constituent in Dist. 14 it is time to put up or shut up. Jim will always hold a special place in my heart for paddling Hogans Creek with me and its not even in his district. Big props in my book.

But to the thread.
2011-560 Still active piece of legislation that can still be challenged. $23,250,000
FIND- Florida Inland Navigation District. Viable realistic option that can happen but Councilman Gaffney would have to ask and I've been trying for four years with absolutely no success. Anyone feel free to share your efforts if you even tried.

More about NM and our whirlwind short but effective time together on other threads.

Bottom line for me.
I'm serious
Will I be telling the 66 other counties of Florida and the country to
VISIT JACKSONVILLE!
      or
DON"T VISIT JACKSONVILLE!

[Ocklawaha]

Tilly Fowler and Ringhaver Park both offer great opportunities for the paddle community to work something out with COJ Parks and Recreation. The west end of the old Blaine Avenue in Yukon would make a dandy launch and it's




River Oaks has several good launch sites that could be developed.  Craig's Creek would be a fantastic trail as it passes through the old Oriental Gardens Theme Park and though it is short, it is stunning.




Camp Tomahawk and San Clerc Road both have 'could be' access. Goodby's Creek should be a trail.




The park just off Argyle might offer an access point to the Ortega/Mc Girts Creek waterway. Who owns the land south of the park to the riverfront? Anyone hiked it? Boardwalk launch?




Another Ortega River access point might be off Argyle Bl, seems like a long crossing with a bike trail nearby.




If we could hook up the paddlers and the trail people Lakelander once advanced this idea for a multi-use trail. Pottsburg and Julington Creeks actually get within yards of each other at the FEC RY. Be cool to see just how far a canoe/kayak could push in on either side and how tough it would be to connect them either with a landside trail or a creek trail.

Doubt I'll be there Saturday, hopefully I can get free.

OCKLAWAHA