Blog Archives - The County Insider

The County Insider

Amelia Island Parkway & Buccaneer Trail Roundabout: Weekly Update

6/6/2026

6/6/26 @ 2:00 p.m. - Weekly update on the Amelia Island Parkway and Buccaneer Trail Roundabout.

Work completed the week of June 1, 2026

Multiuse path grading and stabilization
Pouring of concrete commercial driveway
Continued electrical work by FPU.

Upcoming Two-Week Lookahead (June 8 – June 21, 2026):

During the week of 6/8, concrete crews may intermittently set up flagging operations to alternate traffic in both directions order to pour concrete. These delays are short and intermittent, and do not constitute part of the upcoming single-lane closure for the paver truck apron installation.

A short-duration single-lane closure and associated detour for brick paver truck apron installation will be implemented inside the roundabout. Beginning Monday, June 15, 2026, the contractor will shift northbound traffic to the southbound lane. They will construct approximately two-thirds of the brick paver truck apron, then on Saturday, June 20, 2026, shift traffic back to the northbound lane to complete the remainder.

Important note: During the Saturday traffic switch on June 20, the contractor will briefly close the entire intersection for approximately 4–6 hours (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM) to pour the concrete landings in the interior of the splitter islands and install the ADA sensory/detectable warning mats. Crews will need to safely pour and form the concrete from both sides of the splitter island.

Public Notice: Southbound traffic on Amelia Island Parkway will follow the posted detour via Simmons Road to Fletcher Avenue / SR A1A. Northbound traffic will be maintained through the roundabout for the duration of the apron work. Contractor's signage will be supplemented with County message boards at the 14th Street/AIP roundabout and the Amelia City roundabout for additional advanced warning and driver guidance.

Subsequent Operations:

Structural course asphalt on the south leg of Amelia Island Parkway is tentatively scheduled for the week of June 22, 2026 and all of AIP will reopen to traffic in both directions shortly thereafter
Final friction course asphalt for the entire project limits is tentatively planned for a Saturday closure following the Independence Day weekend. Additional details will be provided as the schedule firms up.
Final project element: Installation of thirteen new concrete poles and streetlights to improve illumination at the intersection.

This project is getting very close to completion! Overall project finish remains targeted for Summer 2026, weather and conditions permitting.

Questions or concerns? Please contact Nassau County Capital Projects at [email protected].

Thank you for your continued patience as we work to deliver this important safety improvement.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Celebrate the Opening of Westside Regional Park

6/6/2026

6/6/26 @ 6:00 a.m.

Party in the Pines is finally here and we can’t wait to celebrate the grand opening of Westside Regional Park with you!
From live music and kayaking tours to pickleball clinics, astronomy demos, food vendors, family fun, and a spectacular drone show finale, there’s something happening all day long.

Westside Regional Park — 615 Lakeside Loop, Hilliard
Event runs from 2–9 PM

Approximately 700 parking spaces are available on site, with overflow parking and shuttle service available nearby
Bring lawn chairs or blankets for the concert area
Bring a refillable water bottle for free water refills at the Keep Nassau Beautiful station
Outside coolers and outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

Below you’ll find the full event schedule, vendor list, and site map to help you plan your day.

We’ll see you in the pines!

Week in Pictures

6/5/2026

6/5/26 @ 4:30 p.m. - Below are pictures from the week of May 29 - June 5, 2026.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

6/5/26 @ 4:30 p.m. - Below are pictures from the week of May 29 - June 5, 2026.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Party in the Pines: Know Before You Go

6/5/2026

6/5/26 @ 3:30 p.m.

Party in the Pines is almost here, and we want to help you make the most of your day at Westside Regional Park!

Before you arrive, take a moment to review important event information including parking details, permitted items, free activities, seating recommendations, beverage policies, and more. From live music and kayaking to food trucks and the drone show, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Check out the this guide so you’re ready for an unforgettable day of fun, music, and community celebration.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Enjoy Florida's License Free Fishing Weekend

6/5/2026

6/5/26 @ 3:15 p.m.

Grab your rods and reels because Florida’s License Free Saltwater Fishing Weekend is here! On June 6-7, residents and visitors can enjoy saltwater fishing without needing a fishing license. Whether you’re casting from the shoreline, a boat, or one of Nassau County’s beautiful piers, it’s a great chance to get outdoors and make memories with family and friends.

Please remember that while licenses are waived this weekend, all other fishing regulations including bag limits, size limits, and seasons still apply.

Thank you to the MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife for providing this opportunity to enjoy Florida’s incredible natural resources responsibly.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

CR 121 Traffic Update

6/5/2026

/5/26 @ 11:15 a.m. - Below is the weekly update for the County Road 121 Project.

Work performed the week of June 1, 2026

Temporary Signals:

Temporary signals continue to operate from 0.38 miles North of Ground Hog PL to Horseshoe Circle S. (Sta. 90+40 to Sta. 106+71)

Barrier Wall:

Maintained temporary barrier wall from 0.38 miles North of Ground Hog PL to Horseshoe Circle S. (Sta. 90+40 to Sta. 106+71)

Subgrade:

See below for road closure

Paving:

See below for road closure

CR 121 Road Closure

CR 121 remains closed from Stokes Rd to CR 119 for construction of roadway and Concrete box culvert
- Continue box culvert construction
- Asphalt base and structural are complete from box culvert to CR 119
- Continued subgrade operations from stokes road to box culvert.

Activities for the week of June 8, 2026:

Daily single-lane closures are not currently planned for next week. If a lane closure were to be installed it will occur as needed between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

CR 121 from 0.38 miles North of Ground Hog PL to Horseshoe Circle S. (Sta. 90+40 to Sta. 106+71) Continues to operate under single lane, two-way alternating traffic with temporary signals.

Planned dates and locations:

Monday, June 8, 2026

Continue working from 0.38 miles North of Ground Hog PL to Horseshoe Circle S. (Sta. 90+40 to Sta. 106+71)
Work operations will be behind barrier wall:
Activities: Begin milling operations from Sta. 90+40 to 106+71.
Maintain road closure and continue road building operations from Stokes Road to CR-119
Continue box culvert construction sta. 406+59 (approximately 1.34 miles North of Stokes Rd & .46 miles South of CR-119.)

NOTE: Access to properties will be maintained, but no traffic can cross the box culvert location during this phase

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Continue working from 0.38 miles North of Ground Hog PL to Horseshoe Circle S. (Sta. 90+40 to Sta. 106+71)

Work operations will be behind barrier wall
Activities: Begin subsoil excavation from sta. 92+12 to 102+13
Maintain road closure and continue road building operations from Stokes Road to CR-119
Continue box culvert construction sta. 406+59 (approximately 1.34 miles North of Stokes Rd & .46 miles South of CR-119).

NOTE: Access to properties will be maintained, but no traffic can cross the box culvert location during this phase

Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Continue working from 0.38 miles North of Ground Hog PL to Horseshoe Circle S. (Sta. 90+40 to Sta. 106+71)

Work operations will be behind barrier wall
Activities: Begin subsoil excavation from sta. 92+12 to 102+13
Maintain road closure and continue road building operations from Stokes Road to CR-119
Continue box culvert construction sta. 406+59 (approximately 1.34 miles North of Stokes Rd & .46 miles South of CR-119).

NOTE: Access to properties will be maintained, but no traffic can cross the box culvert location during this phase

Thursday, June 11, 2026
Continue working from 0.38 miles North of Ground Hog PL to Horseshoe Circle S. (Sta. 90+40 to Sta. 106+71)

Work operations will be behind barrier wall
Activities: Continue subsoil excavation from sta. 92+12 to 102+13
Maintain road closure and continue road building operations from Stokes Road to CR-119
Continue box culvert construction sta. 406+59 (approximately 1.34 miles North of Stokes Rd & .46 miles South of CR-119).

NOTE: Access to properties will be maintained, but no traffic can cross the box culvert location during this phase

Friday, June 12, 2026
Continue working from 0.38 miles North of Ground Hog PL to Horseshoe Circle S. (Sta. 90+40 to Sta. 106+71)

Work operations will be behind barrier wall
Activities:
Maintain road closure and continue road building operations from Stokes Road to CR-119
Continue box culvert construction sta. 406+59 (approximately 1.34 miles North of Stokes Rd & .46 miles South of CR-119).

If you have any questions, please contact Capital Projects at (904) 530-6370.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Nassau County Data Center Fact-Finding Workshops

6/5/2026

6/5/26 @ 8:50 a.m.

Thank you to everyone who attended Tuesday’s Nassau County Fact-Finding Committee on Data Center Development workshop and participated in the ongoing community discussion.

We also extend our appreciation to Tuesday’s presenters for sharing their expertise and perspectives:
• Kim Dinkins, Policy and Planning Director, 1000 Friends of Florida
• Emily Floore, Executive Director, St. Marys Riverkeeper
• Jennifer Bryla, First Coast Board of the Florida Chapter of the APA & Northeast Florida Regional Council.

Audio from the June 2, 2026 meeting can be found on our website at https://nassaufl.co/DataCenters-FactFinding.

The next workshop session will take place on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in the Commission Chambers.
Scheduled presenters include:
• Jeff Hendry, Executive Director, North Florida Economic Development Partnership
• Bruce Jackson, First Vice President, CBRE Group Inc.
• Colleen Gillis, CEO, Curata Partners
• Ralph Forbes, Vice President/Regional Director, Thomas & Hutton
• Michelle Cullum, Lead Economic Development Project Manager for Florida Power & Light
• Danielle Ruiz, Commercial Asset Partners.

Residents are encouraged to attend, stay informed, and participate in the fact-finding process. Additional meeting information, presentation materials, video recordings, and the public comment portal are available at https://nassaufl.co/DataCenters-FactFinding.

World Environment Day

6/5/2026

6/5/26 @ 6:00 a.m.

World Environment Day is a reminder that the health of our planet depends on everyday choices, reducing waste, respecting natural spaces, and being mindful of how our actions affect the land, water, and wildlife around us. Good environmental stewardship starts close to home, with each of us doing our part to keep our community clean and healthy for future generations.

In Nassau County, residents can support these efforts through volunteer opportunities with Keep Nassau Beautiful, including community clean-up events and the Adopt-a-Spot program. These initiatives focus on simple, meaningful actions—removing litter, maintaining shared spaces, and helping prevent pollution before it spreads.

Whether it’s picking up trash during a walk, participating in a cleanup, or committing to care for a small area over time, every effort adds up. Stewardship isn’t a one-time act. It’s a shared responsibility that helps protect the natural beauty that makes our community special.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Keep Nassau Beautiful, please visit https://keepnassaubeautiful.org/.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Planning Your Party in the Pines Adventure

6/4/2026

6/4/26 @ 10:30 a.m.

Planning your day at Party in the Pines just got easier!

Today, we’re sharing the official event site map so you can find everything happening during the grand opening celebration of Westside Regional Park. Check out entrance and exit locations, parking areas, vendor spots, activity zones, food trucks, live music, kayaking, the dog area, and more before you arrive!

The park offers approximately 700 parking spaces on site, and we’ve also partnered with a nearby property owner to provide overflow parking for approximately 200 additional vehicles with shuttle service available across the street to help guests get to and from the event safely and conveniently.

Take a look at the maps below and start planning your perfect Party in the Pines experience!

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Two All Foundation Community Day

6/3/2026

6/3/26 @ 9:00 p.m.

Nassau County, get ready for one of the biggest community events of the summer!

The Two All Foundation Community Day | Backpack & Bike Giveaway is happening Saturday, June 13 at the Yulee Sports Complex , and it’s packed with FREE family fun!

Bring the kids out to enjoy:

Water slides & dry attractions
Bounce houses
DJ & music
Food trucks
Games & activities
Backpack & bike giveaways
Photos & autographs with Derrick Henry.

Backpack & Bike Giveaway
10AM–11AM
For the first 300 kids in line
(Line formation begins at 9AM)

Photos & autographs with Derrick Henry
11:30AM–12:30PM
Limited to the first 100 registered participants
(Registration begins on-site at 9AM)

Community Day Activities
10AM–2PM

WHEN: Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 10am-2pm
WHERE: Yulee Sports Complex ,86142 Goodbread Road, Yulee, FL 32097

A huge thank you to Derrick Henry and the Two All Foundation for giving back to Nassau County and for creating opportunities for families to come together for a day filled with fun, fellowship, and support for local children.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Raise a Glass to Party in the Pines

6/3/2026

6/3/26 @ 11:15 a.m.

Party in the Pines guests will be able to enjoy a variety of beverages from our local vendors!

The Green Turtle Tavern will be serving beer and seltzer beverages, while Tuscan Rose Vineyards will be offering a variety of fruit wines, sangrias, and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with muscadine juice and an assortment of retail items.

Guests are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles to take advantage of free water refills available at the Keep Nassau Beautiful water refill station.

Please note that outside coolers and outside alcoholic beverages will not be permitted inside the park.

Come out June 6 and support local while celebrating the grand opening of Westside Regional Park.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Nassau County Data Center Fact-Finding Workshops Underway

6/2/2026

6/2/26 @ 11:00 a.m.

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s first Nassau County Fact-Finding Committee on Data Center Development meeting, including our presenters, committee members, and community residents who participated in the discussion and shared feedback.

A special thank you to yesterday’s presenters:
• Dr. Tom Hoctor, Director for the Center of Landscape Conservation Planning at the University of Florida
• Margaret Kirkland, Conserve Nassau
• Chadd Charland, Florida Native Plant Society.

Missed the meeting? Presentation materials and a video recording are available on the County’s webpage: https://nassaufl.co/DataCenters-FactFinding

The next workshop will take place today at 5:00 p.m. at West Nassau High School. Residents are invited to attend, learn more about the topic, and participate in the process. Those unable to attend in person may also submit comments through the online portal available on the webpage.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Happy Birthday John Martin

6/2/2026

6/2/26 @ 9:00 a.m.

Please join us in wishing Commissioner John Martin a very Happy Birthday!

Commissioner Martin proudly serves the residents of Nassau County as the District One Commissioner and is currently serving his second term on the Board of County Commissioners. Before being elected to the Board, he served Nassau County as the Veterans Services Officer and dedicated many years to our nation as a Senior Chief in the United States Navy.

Thank you, Commissioner Martin, for your continued service, leadership, and commitment to our community. We hope you have a wonderful birthday and a fantastic year ahead!

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Turtle Talk Tuesday: Leave No Trace

6/2/2026

6/2/26 @ 6:00 a.m. - It's turtle nesting season! From May 1st - October 31st each year, sea turtles vi//sit Amelia Island beaches to nest, and it's up to all of us to make their visit as safe as possible! During this turtle nesting season, we are introducing "Turtle Talk Tuesday". Every Tuesday, we will provide you with facts about our local turtle population and what is being done to protect them.

Today, we would like to discuss the County's Leave No Trace Ordinance adopted in 2016. Nassau County’s Leave No Trace Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2016-06) prohibits personal property from being left unattended on Atlantic Beaches within the unincorporated areas of Amelia Island (Peters Point south to the State Park). Any personal items left unattended after 8:00 p.m. will be removed and destroyed. The City of Fernandina Beach has adopted a similar ordinance for City beaches (Peters Point north to Ft. Clinch) so there’s an island-wide effort in keeping our beaches clean and safe for nesting sea turtles

In Nassau County, we encourage you to leave nothing but your footprints. Be sure to remove any and all items before leaving the beach. This includes all beach gear, beach furniture, toys, shoes, fishing gear, garbage, etc. Thank you for helping us keep our beaches clean for nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings.

-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer

Party in the Pines Event Schedule

6/1/2026

6/1/26 @ 12:00 p.m.

The Party in the Pines schedule is HERE!

From the moment the gates open, there’s something happening all day long at Westside Regional Park!

Explore the stars with astronomy demos
Jump into a pickleball clinic
Test your skills in the dunk & 3-point contests
Treat your pup at the Doggy Spa
Take a kayaking tour around the beautiful 7-acre lake
Compete in the cornhole tournament
Enjoy live music throughout the day featuring The Honey Badgers, Claire Wright, Marc Broussard, and headliner Corey Smith.

We will wrap up the night with an incredible DRONE SHOW lighting up the sky!

This is more than a grand opening , it’s a full day of fun, music, recreation, and community celebration you won’t want to miss.

Westside Regional Park, Hilliard
Saturday, June 6 | 2–9 PM