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Local group explores kayak launch on Ortega River; city ownership and parking are hurdles
Summary
A Waterways Commission member reported plans to pursue a kayak launch on the Ortega River at Argyle Forest Boulevard and Blanding Boulevard. The concept has potential sites owned by the North Florida Land Trust and a private shopping-center lot, but the commission heard city ownership and long-term parking access present complications.
Adam Hoyles, identified in meeting attendance as representing the Environmental Protection Board, briefed the Jacksonville Waterways Commission on April 10 about an informal project to develop a public kayak launch on the Ortega River, saying he has discussed options with landowners and local partners.
Hoyles described two potential sites. One is an approximately 80-acre forested floodplain owned by the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) near Collins Avenue where it crosses the Ortega River; Hoyles described that site as "very challenging" because it is a causeway and largely forested bottomland. The other potential launching area is an existing informal launch where people currently place kayaks from the shoulder of Argyle Forest Boulevard at Blanding Boulevard. Hoyles said converting the back of a nearby shopping-center parking lot into a formal launch would improve safety and public access.
Hoyles said he had contacted the private landowner who previously held the billboard at that intersection, identified as Jim Hogan of Devco, and learned Lamar Advertising now owns the billboard and would be willing to work with the city. "They're willing to do a deal with the city," he said, and he introduced Lamar representatives to City staff by email. Mike Barker, a member of the Water Waste Commission, said NFLT has offered help and that Lamar may prefer a long-term lease or a sale; Barker noted a long-term lease could be an option if the city does not want to purchase the property outright.
Commission members highlighted practical barriers. Hoyles said the shopping-center parcel is held by a series of limited liability companies and a current contact is difficult to locate. Brian Burkett (not present at the meeting) was described as a staff contact who told commissioners the city would likely need fee ownership rather than a short-term arrangement before spending fine money on construction. Barker said Lamar "doesn't really want to own the land" and may prefer a long-term lease rather than owning 12 acres of bottomland.
Hoyles said the proposed launch would improve safety compared with launching from the highway shoulder and could create a safe public access point that repurposes underused parking. No formal decision or funding commitment was made at the April 10 meeting.
