Jacksonville making progress on access to waterways

By Ron Littlepage
on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010
for the Florida Times Union/ Jacksonville.com

It was one of those perfunctory gatherings: a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew city officials, representatives of the companies that worked on the project and a few interested citizens.

But this one, Tuesday morning under a bright, blue sky, was significant.

First, it celebrated the renaming of the city's park and boat ramps at Sisters Creek on the Intracoastal Waterway to honor Jim King, who died last year.

During his long career in the Florida House and Senate, King worked to protect the St. Johns River and its tributaries, and to improve public access to the area's wonderful waterways.

The Sisters Creek park was a special place for King as he was the "voice" of the annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, headquartered at the park, announcing the results - always with humor - as anglers brought fish to be weighed in, small and large.

"I'm not sure where we would be without his advocacy," Mayor John Peyton said.

Peyton invited King's widow, Linda, to the podium. "Jim is smiling," she said. "He's happy to see you here."

And she reminded those present that one of King's unfulfilled goals, having a specialty license plate featuring the St. Johns, which would raise money for the river, will be considered by the Legislature this spring. It needs to pass.

The occasion also marked the official opening of a new kayak and canoe launch at the park.

It's a bit of a hike, especially when carrying a kayak, from the parking area to the launch, which some paddlers won't like, and boarding a kayak from a floating dock isn't the most graceful of actions, but those who use the new launch will have immediate access to the Hannah Mills area - a spectacular expanse of marsh islands and tidal creeks.

Peyton nailed it when he said it's better access to our natural areas that will attract people to live here, and when a city is competing for jobs, quality of life is high on the list.

"If we don't fund our government, these are the things that get cut," Peyton said. "The public parks system gets the short end of the stick. Let's continue to find the dollars to make investments like this."

Much of the focus on access to our waterways has been on major projects, such as the $23 million the City Council approved recently to make improvements to the Southbank Riverwalk, Friendship Fountain and Metropolitan Park.

But these smaller projects are just as critical, and they are getting done.

For instance, a dangerous boat launch at Cedar Point has been replaced; an easy-to-use kayak and canoe launch at Pumpkin Hill opens that area to paddling; and kayaks and canoes can launch at parks on Castaway and Dutton islands.

"We have the ingredients here," Peyton said, to make Jacksonville a better place to live.

Hopefully, there will be more perfunctory ribbon-cuttings in the near future.

ron.littlepage@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4284

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/columnists/ron_littlepage/2010-02-25/story/jacksonville_making_progress_on_access_to_waterwa