Residents attended the grand opening of the 770-acre Pine Meadows Conservation Area. The site is off Pine Meadows Golf Course Road, east of State Road 19 and north of State Road 44.
Lake acquired the site in 2014 from the St. Johns River Water Management District and has poured $650,000 on improvements. The St. Johns and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission also chipped in a combined $549,000 toward removing and replacing water-control structures, enhancing fish and wildlife habitat and creating new recreational opportunities, according to the county.
Ameneties include six miles of passive recreational trails, restrooms, picnic tables, a canoe and kayak launch area, a gravel boat ramp and a dog-friendly loop trail.
“The improved site will now offer residents and visitors with quality fishing, non-motorized boating and wildlife-viewing while also providing sustainability of natural resources,” according to a news release. “The site is quickly becoming a popular destination for birders due to the nearly 120 species viewed there, including the Henslow’s sparrow, blue-winged warbler, bald eagle and swallow-tailed kite.”
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