Category: Recreation - The County Insider

The County Insider

Halloween Festival Update

10/2/2023

10/2/23 @ 2:30 p.m. - We are excited to announce that our Trick-or-Treat Alley is going to be bigger and better than ever! We have a total of 82 booths comprised of individuals and businesses who have signed up to distribute candy to our guests. Please accept this as notification that we are no longer accepting booths for the event.

At this time, we would like to thank the following:

For those who missed our earlier announcement, this is the County's 3rd Annual Halloween Festival which will take place on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Yulee Sports Complex. In addition to our Trick-or-Treat Alley, the event will feature carnival games, hayrides, pumpkin carving and costume contests, and more. Stay tuned for announcements over the next several weeks providing updates on the event layout, food options, parking for the event, and more!

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Letter to Yulee Little League: Yulee Ballpark Improvements

9/19/2023

September 19, 2023

Yulee Little League
86118 Goodbread Road
Yulee, FL 32097

Dear League Families,

The Board of County Commissioners has been made aware of concerns expressed by many of you and as such, we feel it is important that the County provides some information about all the wonderful ballpark improvements that are currently underway.

The Board recognizes the importance of recreation and has allocated significant funding to improve both the capacity of the park system and the quality of the community’s facilities. One example that our ballpark parents will appreciate is the installation or replacement of 29 shade structures and bleacher pads across the various parks. County staff has an ambitious goal to complete the shade and bleacher project in time for opening day of the spring seasons. Specifically related to the current activities at the Yulee Ballpark, approximately $200,000 has been allocated to improve the facility. These improvements include, among others, painting and repairs to the press boxes; painting of the dugouts, concession stand, and pump house; as well as new netting and fencing [backstops].

As to not interrupt League activities at the Yulee Ballpark, County staff elected to wait to make the repairs in the fall, following the completion of the League’s spring season. I have had regular communication with the new Yulee Little League President about the improvements. Unfortunately, this communication may not have been received by all members of the community and may have led to the dissemination of misinformation amongst community members.

Each sports league that operates from a County facility is required, per their Facility Use Agreement, to notify the County of their intent to hold League activities. Unfortunately, Yulee Little League failed to notify the County of their intent to operate a fall baseball season until August 31, 2023. At that point, construction activities had already commenced to improve the facility.

Despite this, upon learning about the league’s opening day, County staff made every effort to remedy the situation, including a solution to postpone opening day or to install a temporary fence. The League President agreed that installation of a temporary fence was a viable solution.

Everyone involved including parents, League volunteers, and County staff have the same goal to create a great experience for our youth athletes. The Parks Department is working diligently to complete improvements at the park, while allowing for league activities to still take place. In the spirit of open communication, additional construction activity is scheduled over the coming months. While those improvements may cause a temporary inconvenience, the upgrades are necessary.

Should you have any questions regarding the Yulee Ballpark improvements, I urge you to contact me. The County is dedicated to improving its parks and providing park users with everything they need to succeed. However, communication is always key to ensuring that everyone has a full understanding of the events that are taking place. I can be reached at (904) 530-6120 or via email at jrobertson@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Jay Robertson
Parks & Recreation Director

Another Successful Movie Event

8/25/2023

8/25/23 @ 9:30 a.m. - On Friday, August 18, 2023, Nassau County Parks & Recreation held its last film in this year's Summer Movie Series. This event featured "E.T." on the big screen along with food trucks and movie trivia. There were about 100 people in attendance. We appreciate everyone who came out to these events. We hope that you enjoyed them as much as we did!

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Save the Date: Halloween Festival

8/14/2023

8/14/23 @ 11:30 a.m. - We are excited to announce that Nassau County Parks & Recreation will be hosting the 3rd Annual Halloween Festival on Friday, October 27th from 5:00 -8:00 p.m.

This FREE event will feature trick or treating, carnival games, hayrides, pumpkin carving and costume contests, and more. Full details will follow in the coming weeks, however please go ahead and save the date!

At this time we are seeking businesses and/or individuals who want to set up booths and distribute candy in our Trick or Treat Alley. Prizes will be awarded for the best booth!

If you would like to sign up for this fun, family-friendly event, please email Parks Director, Jay Robertson, at jrobertson@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Outdoor Movie Night

8/5/2023

8/5/23 @ 10:00 a.m.

The next movie to be featured in our Summer Movie Series will be "E.T.", the 1982 Steven Spielberg classic about a gentle alien who gets stranded on earth and befriended by a young boy. The movie is rated PG and has a running time of 1 hr. and 45 min.

You can enjoy the movie from your car using a designated radio station or you can bring chairs and blankets and enjoy the movie in front of our giant movie screen. There will be food trucks onsite for you to enjoy as well.

WHAT: Outdoor Movie Night featuring "E.T."
WHEN: Friday, August 18, 2023
6:00 p.m. - Event opens with food trucks and music
7:30 p.m. - Movie Trivia with prizes
8:45 p.m. - Movie Begins
WHERE: Peters Point Beachfront Park, 4600 Peters Point Rd., Fernandina Beach

If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation Director, Jay Robertson, at (904) 530-6120 or via e-mail at jrobertson@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Outdoor Movie Event Successful

7/19/2023

7/19/23 @ 3:00 p.m. - On Friday, July 14, 2023, Nassau County Parks & Recreation hosted an Outdoor Movie Event which featured food trucks, movie trivia and a showing of "The Princess Bride" on our giant movie screen. The movie trivia turned out to be a great addition to our Summer Movie Series and featured 60 multiple choice questions about movies from all genres. We ended up with a tie in two of the trivia rounds so we resolved it having a good old-fashioned game of rock, paper, scissors. So fun!

Thank you to everyone who came out to this event. We hope that you had a great time.

The next event in our Summer Movies Series will be a showing of "E.T." on Friday, August 18th. Stay tuned for details.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Movie Trivia

7/10/2023

7/10/23 @ 12:15 p.m.

This Friday, July 14, 2023, the County is hosting Outdoor Movie Night. The event opens at 6:00 p.m. and movie time begins at 8:45 p.m. However this month, we will be offering movie trivia at 7:30 p.m. to provide entertainment while you wait. Prizes will be given for the winners.

WHAT: Outdoor Movie Night featuring "The Princess Bride"
WHEN: Friday, July 14, 2023.
Event opens at 6:00 p.m.
Movie trivia at 7:30 p.m.
Showtime at 8:45 p.m.
WHERE: Peters Point Beachfront Park, 4600 Peters Point Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

"The Princess Bride" is a fairy tale about a young woman, Buttercup, and her one true love, Westley. Join Westley on an adventure as he battles the evils of a mythical kingdom in his search to find Buttercup so they can finally be reunited. The movie is rated PG and has a run time of 1 hour and 38 minutes.

You can enjoy the movie from your car using a designated radio station or you can bring chairs and blankets and enjoy the movie in front of our giant movie screen. There will be food trucks onsite for you to enjoy as well.

If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation Director, Jay Robertson, at (904) 530-6120 or via e-mail at jrobertson@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Outdoor Movie Night

7/6/2023

7/6/23 @ 2:30 p.m. -

The next movie to be featured in our Summer Movie Series will be "The Princess Bride", a fairy tale about a young woman, Buttercup, and her one true love, Westley. Join Westley on an adventure as he battles the evils of a mythical kingdom in his search to find Buttercup so they can finally be reunited. The movie is rated PG and has a run time of 1 hour and 38 minutes.

You can enjoy the movie from your car using a designated radio station or you can bring chairs and blankets and enjoy the movie in front of our giant movie screen. There will be food trucks onsite for you to enjoy as well.

WHAT: Outdoor Movie Night featuring "The Princess Bride"
WHEN: Friday, July 14, 2023. Event opens at 6:00 p.m. and the movie will begin at 8:45 p.m.
WHERE: Peters Point Beachfront Park, 4600 Peters Point Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation Director, Jay Robertson, at (904) 530-6120 or via e-mail at jrobertson@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

July Proclaimed as Park and Recreation Month

6/28/2023

Pictured: Chairman Klynt Farmer; and Parks & Recreation Director, Jay Robertson

6/28/23 @ 11:55 a.m. - At the Monday, June 26, 2023 meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-122 proclaiming the month of July 2023 as Park & Recreation Month in Nassau County. This month has been recognized nationally since 1985 to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation and to recognize the more than 160,000 full-time and seasonal employees who maintain our country's local, state and community parks.

This year's theme is "Where Community Grows" celebrates the vital role park and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services, and fostering growth of communities.

Nassau County joins the National Recreation and Parks Association and the Florida Recreation and Park Association in celebrating Park and Recreation Month and the value that parks and recreation have on our community and residents.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

Outdoor Movie Night

6/16/2023

Tonight is our Outdoor Movie Event. We are closely watching the weather, however as of right now, we plan to move forward as the weather currently shows only a 15% chance of rain after 4pm. (Fingers crossed) Stay tuned for updates throughout the day.

Just a reminder of the event details:

Movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Rated PG-13. Running time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Event opens: 6pm
Movie showtime begins: 8:30 p.m.

Bring a chair or blanket and sit in front our our giant movie screen, or sit in your car and tune in through the radio (channel to be announced at the event).

We will have the following food trucks on site:

--> On the Square Pizza: serving individual pizzas, calzones, tomato pie, etc.

-->First Coast Crepes and Coffee: serving sweet and savory crepes and drinks

--> The Carnival Guy: serving shaved ice, popcorn, cotton candy, etc.