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.