The nonprofit’s public park is part of a partnership that connects city, state, and national parks
North Florida Land Trust’s Bogey Creek Preserve is now part of a connection of parks and preserves known as the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. The new designation is part of a partnership between NFLT, the City of Jacksonville, Florida State Parks, the National Park Service, and Timucuan Parks Foundation. It was created to highlight the area that is home to seven parks and preserves and the seven creeks that run through the area which include Bogey Creek, Clapboard Creek, Cedar Point Creek, Edwards Creek, Fitzpatrick Creek, Horseshoe Creek, and Pumpkin Hill Creek.
“The fact that we have these 5,600 acres of contiguous conservation land in north Jacksonville for the public to enjoy is one of the reasons why what we do is so important,” said Jim McCarthy, president of NFLT. “Protecting and preserving these natural spaces is our mission and the 7 Creeks Recreation Area partnership showcases the collaborative dedication to conservation. These lands will not only provide a place for people to boost their physical and mental health for generations but will also protect critical habitats for wildlife and preserve the water quality of these creeks.”
Bogey Creek Preserve is NFLT’s first public park. It is 75-acres located off Cedar Point Road in North Jacksonville that neighbors the state’s Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park and NPS’ Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. It protects nearly one mile of critical marsh front on Clapboard and Bogey Creeks. NFLT will soon be adding 12 acres to Bogey Creek which they will acquire from the McGehee family in January of 2021. The trail system is a mixture of maritime hammock, mixed pine-oak forest, and seep-fed cypress swamps. The preserve includes a kayak landing and picnic area.
NFLT’s Bogey Creek and Pescatello Island join the City of Jacksonville’s Betz-Tiger Point Preserve, Jim Wingate Preserve and Cedar Point Preserve, NPS’ Cedar Point, and Florida State Parks’ Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park to make up the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. The 7 Creeks Recreation area is 5,600 acres of conservation lands that connect starting near the intersection of New Berlin and Cedar Point Roads and east to Black Hammock Island. The parks and preserves provide more than 30 miles of trails for all to enjoy. Visitors to the parks can hike, bike, or ride horseback through the diverse ecosystems and enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and boating through the tidal creeks.
About North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to protect the natural resources, historic places and working lands (farms and ranches) throughout north Florida. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations.
