By Susan Hardee Steger
March 16, 2017 2:33 p.m.
Officials from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection along with Fort Clinch officials gathered at the Peck Center Auditorium to receive public feedback on a proposed 10 year management plan for Fort Clinch State Park. The plan offered good news to attendees interested in the future of the Fort Clinch Fishing Pier.
According to Park Planner, Tyler Maldonado, “In the next 10 years we plan on removing and replacing the pier. I can’t tell you when exactly the pier is going to be replaced, but it is our every intention to do so because we know how important this is to our local community. We know it is a popular resource, and we know people love it.”
Park officials are not certain when the pier’s demolition project will begin, but they expect it will be by June of this year.
In putting together the 10 year plan, officials try to balance public access and protecting while maintaining the park’s natural resources. Maldonado said Fort Clinch is one of the most popular parks in area and receives over 300,000 visitors a year.
Other major projects under consideration for Fort Clinch include changes to the Amelia River and Atlantic Beach Campgrounds.
Amelia River Campground:
Includes update to the campground layout, updating electrical and utility systems, renovating the interior of an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) bathhouse to be used as a gathering location for campers, as well as, an area to showcase historic information on the CCC’s contributions to Fort Clinch. Tent sites will be expanded (number unknown) without any tree loss.
Atlantic Beach Campground:
Expand campground loop and add an additional 10 campground sites.
For individuals who wish to view and comment on the proposed plan,click here and scroll to bottom of page..