End-of-year Fernandina Beach city proclamations delivered

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 21, 2014 7:00 p.m.

8 Flags Playscapes

Trey Warren thanks the City Commission while Sharyl Wood and Mayor Boner look on.
Trey Warren thanks the City Commission while Sharyl Wood and Mayor Boner look on.

At the November 18, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC), the city recognized 8 Flags Playscapes, Inc. for their success in fundraising and the installation of the Pirate Playground at Atlantic Park. The inspiration for this park came from local resident Aaron Morgan, who in 2007 formed a group to construct a playground for children with all types of abilities. Following the group’s incorporation as non-profit, organizers held many fundraisers that received strong local support. Local companies that provided many in-kind services included: Buchanan Builders, Cotner Associates, Gillette and Associates, Myer’s Tractor Services, Myer’s Tree Services, Parker Contracting, United and Strong, Dreamscapes Landscaping and many others.

The park, named the Pirate Playground, opened to the public on May 10, 2014 to rave reviews.

Trey Warren and Sharyl Wood accepted the proclamation from Mayor Ed Boner. Warren thanked all, crediting Aaron Morgan, who was not able to attend the presentation, as the driving force behind the project. Sharyl Wood thanked the city and said that one group that had been omitted from recognition was the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. She said that the staff had been wonderful to work with and added to the truly unique partnership to create a beautiful playground that everyone can enjoy.

National Homeless Persons Memorial Day

Mayor Ed Boner reads proclamation on Homeless Persons Memorial Day aas Robyn Andrews looks on.
Mayor Ed Boner reads proclamation on Homeless Persons Memorial Day as Robyn Andrews looks on.

At the December 16, 2016 Regular Meeting of the FBCC, the city proclaimed December 21, 2014 as “National Homeless Persons Memorial Day” in Fernandina Beach to recognize those who have died during the past year from ailments or conditions directly related to homelessness. In presenting the city proclamation to Robyn Andrews, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County, Mayor Boner noted that Nassau County has only one homeless shelter, which is fully occupied year round. He said that veterans make up nearly a quarter of the adult homeless, adding that the main causes of homelessness are the lack of affordable housing and lack of employment opportunities. In 2012, Nassau County recorded 94 adults and 129 children as homeless.

In accepting the proclamation, Robyn Andrews thanked the FBCC for calling attention to the problem once again this year. She reported that this past year 3 homeless people died in Fernandina Beach.

2 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
9 years ago

Great to see the effort of all those that contributed to the construction of the Pirates’ Playground being recognized. Aaron was the major driving force for this achievement but he would be the first to tell you that it was the contributions of hundreds of others that made it come to reality.

Charlene Todd
Charlene Todd (@guest_25569)
9 years ago

This is a wonderful playground for all children.