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Belz-Tiger Point Preserve
Project Summary
Betz-Tiger Point in Jacksonville, Florida, includes more than 500 acres of rustic and picturesque parkland, with miles of scenic trails providing rare access to large salt marshes and wildlife. Hanson provided design and permitting services to add several amenities to the preserve, which sits between the Intracoastal Waterway and St. Johns River. The improvements included:
- a 0.5-mile entrance road
- a bulkheaded crossing through a wetland to minimize impacts
- a 30-space parking lot
- stabilized trails and boardwalks leading to a fishing pier and the kayak launch
- a shoreline canoe and kayak launch area
- an 8-by-28-foot fishing pier extending into the water to the edge of the channel
- siting for two picnic pavilions
- linear stormwater management systems
- design of on-site sewage treatment and potable water supply systems
This project expanded accessibility for park users to new areas of the preserve and added an important kayak launch for preserve users to explore additional salt marshes. Tasks involved extensive coordination with several regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), to secure appropriate permitting. Concerns included cultural resources and historic properties, which required coordination with the state historic preservation officer.
Betz-Tiger Point Preserve is part of a larger area known as the 7 Creeks Recreation Area, which encompasses more than 5,600 acres of contiguous conservation lands that include Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park, Cedar Point Preserve, Cedar Point, Bogey Creek Preserve and Jim Wingate Preserve. The 7 Creeks Recreation Area provides more than 30 miles of trails.