Taking the plunge: Swimmers celebrate St. Johns with open water events
What better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act of 1972 by getting in the St. Johns River. CWA aimed to eliminate and prohibit toxic discharges—point source pollution—and restore water quality. Congress strengthened the Act 15 years later by adding Section 319 to control nonpoint source pollution: the runoff from ranches, communities, and boatyards, with pesticides, other toxic chemicals, and […]
Merchants group hosts 5 Points cleanup
Members of the 5 Points Merchants Association and friends got their hands dirty last month during a neighborhood cleanup event. The group began the first phase of the re-landscaping of 5 Points between Post Street and the 5 Points intersection. Volunteers removed weeds and old mulch from the various beds along the street, trimmed Crepe […]
Grissett’s family donates park bench
With little public fanfare but with great love, the family of former Riverside Avondale Preservation Director Bonnie Grissett donated a Boone Park bench in her name last month. The park bench is located on the pathway near the playground at the St. Johns Avenue side of Boone Park. Bonnie, who passed away December 2010 after […]
Plans for controversial artificial reef sunk
An artificial reef planned offshore Riverfront Park in San Marco will be relocated to another site, according to District 5 City Councilwoman Lori Boyer. The reef, intended to improve on- and offshore fishing along the St. Johns River, was the source of much community alarm during the councilwoman’s September town meeting. Residents were concerned the […]
San Marco Square traffic redesign: Updated plans right on point
San Marco Preservation Society officials released a preliminary $120,000 budget for the redesign and construction of Balis Park in San Marco Square as new details about the project begin to emerge. Local engineer and San Marco Society Past President Doug Skiles shared additional facts about the park and traffic changes in San Marco Square during […]
Overland Bridge work kicking into gear
The state Department of Transportation held its second major public hearing meeting late last month about the upcoming Overland Bridge project — one of the largest state roadway renovations to affect the San Marco area in recent history. The project, which has a contract amount of $157.8 million, begins 2,300 feet south of San Diego […]
Riverside Dog Park gets city nod
But funding dollars needed before maintenance agreement will be signed – Riverside Avondale Preservation Executive Director Carmen Godwin said she spent an entire day last month at City Hall advocating for the neighborhood’s four-legged residents. The group’s efforts were successful – both the city finance and recreation committees unanimously passed a bill (2012-461) calling for […]
YMCA announces plans for $21 million facility
Project one of several simmering in Brooklyn area – Exercising on the Northbank Riverwalk took on new meaning last month. Officials with YMCA of Florida’s First Coast announced plans for a new glass-fronted, 80,000-square-foot Yates Family YMCA building on the St. Johns riverfront during a private mid-October luncheon. The building, expected to cost nearly $21 […]
