By-Line: Patrick Appolonia, City of Palm Coast
With surveying now complete, work has commenced on an enhancement project at the City of Palm Coast’s Long Creek Nature Preserve. The waterfront favorite to residents and visitors alike will see several new features, including expanded shell walking paths that will span most of the property’s 9 acres, several new boardwalks and dock overlooks along the water, as well as several gazebos with picnic tables. The final product is hoped to deliver a “living classroom” feel to expand the public’s ability for wildlife viewing and environmental/historical education.
“The Long Creek Nature Preserve is such a beautiful area, and these will not only add to the aesthetic but also provide new areas for everything from walking, fishing, or having even a waterfront picnic,” said Project Manager, Architect Eric Gebo. “We are excited to see this project start to take shape, and we can’t wait for visitors to enjoy all the new amenities once it’s completed.”
Just last month, the City of Palm Coast unveiled a historical marker at the preserve, honoring its natural beauty and rich history, which includes it being the site of Hernandez Landing, a commercial shopping hub in the early 1800s that played a vital role in the transportation of goods like sugar cane, and sea-island cotton through Long Creek. With path clearing now underway at the site, the next steps are set to include the installation of the walkways and construction of the new boardwalks. This project is slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. For more information on Long Creek Nature Preserve, visit palmcoast.gov/long-creek
For updates on this project and all other projects taking place in the City of Palm Coast, visit palmcoast.gov/pcprogress
