REMINDER:

The County is currently seeking citizen input related to the conceptual plan of the Westside Regional Park. This park will be located off of US 1, between Hilliard and Callahan.

Citizen feedback will be used to establish the Goals, Objectives, and Statement of Intent and will guide the design solution created for the park.

What amenities and features would you like to see included in this park? Please take this opportunity to tell us!

Below is a link for the survey which will close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23rd so don't delay!

Survey Link



-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

2/15/21 @ 2:30 p.m. - What features and amenities would you like to see included in the conceptual plan for the Westside Regional Park? Join us at an upcoming Public Outreach event and share your ideas with us!

We've scheduled two events for your convenience:

Virtual Event:
Monday, March 1, 2021 at 6pm

ZOOM Meeting info:Meeting Link

Passcode: 987321

Or iPhone one-tap :

US +13017158592,,86312417460#,,,,*987321#  or +13126266799,,86312417460#,,,,*987321#

Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 646 558 8656  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 669 900 9128

Webinar ID: 863 1241 7460
Passcode: 987321
   
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdXate1yno

In-Person Event
Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Callahan Multi-purpose Facility
543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011

Reminder: Face coverings are required in all County facilities, pursuant to Executive Order No. 24.

If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation at (904) 530-6120.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

2/12/21 @ 3:30 p.m. - The County is currently seeking citizen input related to the conceptual plan of the Westside Regional Park. This park will be located off of US 1, between Hilliard and Callahan.

Citizen feedback will be used to establish the Goals, Objectives, and Statement of Intent and will guide the design solution created for the park.

What amenities and features would you like to see included in this park? Please take this opportunity to tell us!

Below is a link for the survey which will close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23rd so don't delay!

Click here for citizen survey.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

2/5/21 @ 2:35 p.m. -

6/10/20 @ 3:45 p.m.

As many of you are aware, the County beach front parks, Peters Point, Burney Park and Scott Road, are three of the most heavily used beach front parks on the island. Over the past few months, Facilities and Parks Staff have been busy doing improvements at all three locations.

Peters Point

• Parking lot re-striped
• Bathrooms painted and floors refinished with epoxy coating for extended durability

Scott Road

• Parking lot re-striped

Burney Park

• New turtle friendly lighting added to sidewalk areas
• Parking lot re-striped
• Bathrooms painted and floors refinished with epoxy coating
• Wooden boardwalk decking and railing replaced with composite decking, a durable material that is weather and mold resistant and requires very little maintenance
• Aluminum grab rails to be installed to boardwalk within the next few weeks
• Turtle friendly parking lot lights currently being installed

We trust that our residents and visitors are excited about these improvements and that their beach experience has been enhanced because of them. We also appreciate all the hard work from our Facilities and Parks employees. While it's nice to be outside during the day and working close to the beach, the heat definitely makes it more challenging. These employees do their work with pride and without complaints. They are truly a great team!

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Join us on Monday, June 8th at 5pm for a presentation by Dr. David Barth regarding the Needs Assessment Phase of the Recreation Master Plan.

The results being presented were compiled from a series of public outreach events, roundtable discussions, surveys, and interviews with elected officials and key County staff, in additional to a review of current facilities and services. The presentation will provide insight into Dr. Barth's efforts to create a world-class parks and recreation master plan for the citizens of Nassau County.

The meeting is open to the public with limited seating. The meeting can also be viewed live at https://nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Workshop for Recreation Master Plan
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 1, 2020- On January 2, 2020, Nassau County announced the kick-off of a long-range parks, recreation, and open space master plan for the entire County, with the goal of the plan being complete in the fall of 2002.
 
The County secured the services of the parks planning firm Barth Associates, LLC, to evaluate the existing parks and recreation system; conduct a County-wide needs and priorities assessment; develop a long-range parks and recreation vision; and work with the County to develop a fiscally sustainable implementation strategy for capital improvements, operations, and maintenance.
 
The recently-completed Needs Assessment phase of the project incorporated a number of public involvement forums to make sure that the planning process was citizen-driven, and that every resident had an opportunity to participate.  These included:     

• Two public outreach events, one in eastern Nassau County and one in western Nassau County. The events were interactive and open to all residents, groups and corporate entities to attend.
• A statistically-representative survey of residents’ needs and priorities. To ensure the integrity and validity of the data collection process, ETC Institute, an independent research firm, conducted the survey and complied the data for utilization in the plan creation process. 
• An on-line survey to provide opportunities for all residents to participate in the survey.
• A working session with a diverse group of individuals representing organizations across a wide spectrum of focus and backgrounds. This included representatives from education, social services, organized athletics, outdoor enthusiasts, the arts community, park operations, public & mental health, environmental stewards, and many others.
• A series of roundtable discussions with individuals and organizations who share common interests around particular aspects of recreation, i.e. cyclists, conservation, youth athletics, etc.
• One-on-one interviews with elected officials and key County staff members including budget and operations staff.

 
The information received from these events, meetings and surveys – along with park visits and evaluations, a level-of-service analysis, and review of existing reports – provided the data necessary for Barth Associates to project the parks and recreation needs and priorities of County residents.    This approach ensures the parks, recreation, and open space master plan is truly representative of all the citizens of Nassau County and not just a select few.
 
On Monday, June 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., Dr. David Barth will present the findings from the Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment phase of the project to the Board of County Commissioners. The Workshop Meeting will be held in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. The meeting is open to the public with limited seating, however residents can also participate remotely by watching the meeting live at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings and submitting comments to comments@nassaucountyfl.com or calling (904) 530-6009 and leaving a message. Residents can also use these two methods to request a call during the meeting.
 
We encourage all Nassau County residents and organizations to participate in the meeting to hear Dr. Barth’s presentation to the Board regarding his team’s effort to create a world-class parks and recreation system master plan for the citizens of Nassau County.
**********************************************************************************
If you have any questions, please contact the County’s Planning Department at (904) 530-6300.
 
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Organized Youth Sports
 
Nassau County, Florida, May 29, 2020 – On Friday, May 22, 2020, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order No. 20-131, to allow for the return of organized youth sports under Phase 1: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.
 
County Officials held a telephonic meeting with Recreation Commission yesterday. The group discussed guidelines suggested by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the risk of disease transmission among participants in youth sports programs. Those guidelines can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html.
 
It was determined that the County will open their facilities for the leagues to use with the understanding that they would be responsible for ensuring that CDC guidelines are followed. Some leagues expressed concerns, however others indicated that they felt they could comply.  The Recreation Commission is compiling a list of leagues that would like to resume and the location/facility they will be operating out of.

If you have any questions, please contact Facilities Maintenance at (904) 530-6120.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
 
Recreation Commission Meeting to Discuss Reintroduction of Organized Youth Sports
 
Nassau County, Florida, May 27, 2020 – At today’s Board of County Commissioner’s meeting, County Manager, Mike Mullin, provided an update to the Board members regarding Executive Order No. 20-131, issued by Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday, May 22, 2020, which now allows organized youth sports under Phase 1: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.  Mr. Mullin indicated that organized youth sports should, in his opinion, “re-start” and the Board concurred.
 
A Special Meeting of the Nassau County Recreation Commission has been scheduled for Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 5:30 p.m., in order for the County Manager and Assistant County Manager to discuss “re-starting” organized youth sports at County facilities while maintaining consistency with the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations.  
 
The meeting will be held remotely via phone conference, therefore there is no meeting location to share. Individuals wishing to submit comments for the meeting should email them to parkcomments@nassaucountyfl.com by 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, or call (904) 530-6120. If you would like a phone call during the meeting, please send an email or call the number above and provide your name and phone number.
 
A summary from the meeting will be issued as soon as possible.
 
**********************************************************************************
Should you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation directly at (904) 530-6120.

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
County to Consider Purchase of Property in Kings Ferry for Future Recreation
 
Nassau County, Florida, April 13, 2020 - At tonight’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Board approved entering into a purchase and sales agreement giving the County a 120-day period to consider purchasing a 36-acre property located on the St. Marys River near the Kings Ferry community. The property is accessed from Lessie Road and will be used as a public park providing additional access to the St. Marys River.  
 
It’s important to note that if the BOCC were to execute the purchase of the property, no ad-valorem revenues would be used. The purchase would be 100% funded from Recreational Impact Fees which were collected from developers/builders when issuing residential building permits for new homes. In accordance with Florida Statutes, these funds must be used on recreation and cannot be used for any other purpose.
 
The County’s Comprehensive Plan, Recreation and Open Space Element, encourages acquisition of property to meet the future recreational needs of the residents. The Comprehensive Plan defines regional parks as a site with 30+ acres, containing water-based recreation opportunities such as boating and fishing.
 
The 36-acre site has 627 feet of frontage along the St. Marys River. There is an existing 60-foot dock which was constructed in 2018, providing deep water access. The property has mature hard-wood trees and native vegetation making it very aesthetically pleasing. The property also has historical significance as it once contained the “little mill” owned by Jackson and William Mizell in 1870, as well as the docking facilities for ships that carried finished products around the world.
 
The Board discussed the acquisition of the property at the February 19, 2020 meeting and authorized County staff to negotiate with the property owner, Allison Properties, Inc. Negotiations were held on March 5, 2020. According to an appraisal performed by Colliers International, Inc., the property has an As-Is Market Value of $970,000. The property owner, Allison Lands Inc., has agreed to a less than market value sales price of $875,000.
 
*********************************************************************************************************
If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.