Castaway Island Preserve - Jacksonville, FL
N 30° 17.769 W 081° 26.258
17R E 457916 N 3351682
Castaway Island Preserve is a municipal park located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Waymark Code: WMB05G
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/18/2011
Views: 3
"One of Jacksonville's premier preservation properties, Castaway Island Preserve entices visitors with its marshy banks and lush trails. The park, located along the Intracoastal Waterway, is adjacent to an intricate salt marsh ecosystem that is ideal for spotting marshland wildlife.
Visitors may stroll along Castaway Island Preserve's wooden boardwalk, take in the view from an observation platform overlooking the waterway or learn about the flora and fauna of Northeast Florida along the park's interactive nature trail. The park also has a floating canoe/kayak launch and theater-style education center. "
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"Castaway Island Preserve is located off San Pablo Road, between Beach and Atlantic boulevards, in eastern Duval County. The preserve is along the western shore of the Intracoastal Waterway and is adjacent to an intricate salt marsh ecosystem. Visitors to the preserve will find themselves surrounded by the natural beauty of northeast Florida. They may stroll along the park's nature trails, enjoy a picnic with family and friends at one of several picnic areas, get up close and personal with marshland wildlife from the wooden boardwalk or take in the breathtaking view from the park's observation platform overlooking the waterway. Other amenities include a 3,000 square foot education center, floating canoe/kayak launch and information kiosk.
The City of Jacksonville partnered with the State of Florida, through the Florida Communities Trust program, to acquire the Castaway Island Preserve. In addition, funding for the design and construction of Castaway Island Preserve comes from a combination of city funds and a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District. The 300-acre park opened to the public in June 2004."
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"Castaway Island Preserve consists of 235 acres, purchased on July 28, 2000 for $1,746,609, 25 acres, purchased on September 11, 2000 for $767,976, and 49 acres, purchased on December 8, 2000 for $1,138,768 by the City of Jacksonville. This site was purchased with the help of a Florida Communities Trust (FCT) grant. FCT reimbursed $1,427,754 to the City. The grant award agreement states that the City will provide a canoe launch, nature trails, waterway trails, information kiosks, and picnic areas on the site. An FDEP grant was awarded to control the exotic species on the site. The exotic species removal has been completed. The grant award was for $18,000. A Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) grant was awarded for the construction of the trails, canoe launch and parking area for $700,000 ($350,000 from FIND and $350,000 from a City match)."
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