City of St. Augustine Beach Public Notice
St. Augustine Beach Flood Reduction - Ocean Hammock Park Improvements
PROJECT UPDATE: 10/05/2023 - COMPLETED
Ocean Hammock Park is now open. Phase II, which includes new public restrooms, a handicap parking pad, outdoor shower, water fountain and bottle filling station, educational kiosk, nature trail with interpretive signs, picnic area (x2), bike racks, and an ADA accessible sidewalk that connects to the existing Ocean Hammock Park boardwalk, is complete. The City held a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 4, 2023. Click here for more information about the successful ribbon cutting event.
Phase III improvements have been suspended due the excessive costs associated with the construction of this phase.
For more information regarding the construction of this project, please contact the City’s engineering department:
Jason D. Sparks, P.E. Derek Sands
Engineering Director Engineering Inspector
(904) 471-2122 (904) 808-5901
Ocean Hammock Park is a city-owned 18+ acre parcel of vacant land stretching from A1A Beach Boulevard to the Atlantic Ocean. Prior to its purchase, the land was slated for development, and was the last undeveloped privately-owned tract of oceanfront land of significant size in in south St. Johns County. St. Augustine Beach purchased the park property to protect this last large piece of undeveloped oceanfront land within the city, and to create a unique recreation opportunity with beach access while preserving the habitat and ecological uniqueness of the site.
The city acquired the 18-acre property over multiple years. The first 2.2 acres (including the beach boardwalk parcel and a conservation parcel along A1A Beach Boulevard ) was acquired during the planning and permitting of the now defunct Maratea development. An additional 11.5 acres was acquired in 2009, and the final 4.5 acres was acquired in 2016. The 2009 and the 2016 purchases were partially funded by the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Grant Program, with contributions totaling $6 million. The Park is currently being developed per the requirements of the Ocean Hammock Park Management Plan. The Original Management Plan was developed in 2009. The Updated Management Plan was developed in 2018 after the purchase of the final parcel. Construction of park elements contained within the Plan is a condition of the FCT funding agreement and the City reports annually on its implementation. Click here for Q&A.
Proposed Physical Improvements identified in the Management Plan include:
- Public Restrooms
- Parking area
- Picnic pavilion
- Education Center
- Wildlife observation deck
- Children's play area
- Bike Racks
- Informational kiosk
- Nature Trails with interpretative signage
In addition to the above physical improvements, per the Management Plan, the City must restore and manage the property with the following considerations:
- Create environmental and/or historical educations programs
- Protect habitat suitable for listed species
- Upland and wetland restoration, including planting with native vegetation
- Improve water quality on the site
- Feral animal control
- Invasive vegetation control
Ocean Hammock Park is being developed in phases. Phase 1 is complete and included the construction of the pervious parking lot and the handicap space on A1A Beach Boulevard. Phase 2 is planned for construction in March of 2023, and includes public restrooms, an additional handicap parking space, a short nature trail and two small picnic areas in the vicinity of the existing parking lot. Phase 3 is currently in design and adds improvements eastward of the parking lot, including the remaining items identified above. Phase 3 will be constructed in multiple stages, pending funding availability, with the initial stage including the construction of a handicap accessible nature trail eastward to a wildlife observation deck, from which to safely view the coastal dune habitat and ocean.
Attached below are Supporting Documents, including:
- Park Location Map
- Aerial Photo of the Park Parcel
- Phase 3 Preliminary Site Plan (Presented at June 24, 2021 Public Meeting)
HELPFUL LINKS:
Have a concern or request regarding City operations? Click here to access the Resident Self Service page.
Have a question regarding stormwater management and City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program? Click here.