Save Beach Boardwalk in Ocean Hammock Park

The Issue

I support preservation of our beach boardwalk. Do not remove or "relocate" the Ocean Hammock Park beach boardwalk even if alternate beach access is provided. Our tax dollars were used to purchase and develop this park, to secure equal access, and to let us experience the varied ecosystems between the beach, dunes, wetlands, and inland areas of Anastasia Island. 

I object to the group of three Sea Colony families who are offering funds to privatize a huge section of the park by having the boardwalk removed and a new one built in the middle of the park, through wetlands and dunes; this benefits only Sea Colony, not other residents. Environmentalists have weighed in, noting this proposal would have a detrimental impact on the wildlife (the endangered gopher tortoise, Anastasia Island beach mouse, etc.), the City's buffering against storms, and human injury (rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, etc.). I do not want to trek from A1A Beach on a ground-level concrete path past a bathroom, bike racks, a kids’ “playscape,” kayak storage areas, etc. I much prefer an elevated walkway from which I can look at the beautiful trees, plants, birds, and tortoises we see along the current walkway. 

Please do not adopt these residents' "not in my backyard" agenda. Please keep our park access as is and maintain the current boardwalk.

5,444

The Issue

I support preservation of our beach boardwalk. Do not remove or "relocate" the Ocean Hammock Park beach boardwalk even if alternate beach access is provided. Our tax dollars were used to purchase and develop this park, to secure equal access, and to let us experience the varied ecosystems between the beach, dunes, wetlands, and inland areas of Anastasia Island. 

I object to the group of three Sea Colony families who are offering funds to privatize a huge section of the park by having the boardwalk removed and a new one built in the middle of the park, through wetlands and dunes; this benefits only Sea Colony, not other residents. Environmentalists have weighed in, noting this proposal would have a detrimental impact on the wildlife (the endangered gopher tortoise, Anastasia Island beach mouse, etc.), the City's buffering against storms, and human injury (rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, etc.). I do not want to trek from A1A Beach on a ground-level concrete path past a bathroom, bike racks, a kids’ “playscape,” kayak storage areas, etc. I much prefer an elevated walkway from which I can look at the beautiful trees, plants, birds, and tortoises we see along the current walkway. 

Please do not adopt these residents' "not in my backyard" agenda. Please keep our park access as is and maintain the current boardwalk.

The Decision Makers

Commissioner England
Commissioner England
City of St. Augustine Beach
Mayor Samora
Mayor Samora
City of St. Augustine Beach
Vice Mayor Rumrell
Vice Mayor Rumrell
City of St. Augustine Beach
Commissioner George
Commissioner George
City of St. Augustine Beach
Commissioner Sweeny
Commissioner Sweeny
City of St. Augustine Beach
Petition updates
Share this petition
Petition created on November 16, 2022