North Florida Land Trust has once again helped the City of Jacksonville expand McGirts Creek Park. An anonymous donor gave NFLT the money to acquire nearly 10 acres of land located just north of Saundersville Ct. and west of Ricker Rd. NFLT negotiated with the seller, Arquileta Trust, who agreed to take less than the appraised value of the property as a charitable donation. The land will be transferred to the City of Jacksonville and added to the McGirts Creek Park on the Westside of Jacksonville.
“We are thankful to the anonymous donor who made it possible for us to once again help facilitate land acquisition to expand McGirts Creek Park and preserve the environmentally sensitive area around the creek,” said Jim McCarthy, president of NFLT. “This land has significant conservation value in its protection of the creek floodplain and we were happy to help obtain the property for the city.”
The property is predominantly oak and pine forest with some open areas of sparse pine trees and palmettos. McGirts Creek passes through the western boundary. This is the second time NFLT has acquired land for expansion of McGirts Creek Park. In 2016, they facilitated the donation of 33 acres of land to the City of Jacksonville. The addition of the latest property brings the total number of acres of the park to just under 133 and adds to the preservation of McGirts Creek and the Ortega River system.
One of the services that NFLT offers is to facilitate the acquisition of properties for other conservation organizations or government agencies. Throughout the years, the land conservation organization has facilitated the acquisition of more than 300 acres of land in Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns Counties.
About North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust is a non-profit organization who serves as a champion of environmental protection primarily in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Union and Volusia counties. NFLT was founded in 1999 and has protected thousands of acres of environmentally significant land including property at Big Talbot Island, the River Branch Preserve, Pumpkin Hill State Park, Moccasin Slough, along the St. Mary’s River and other valued natural areas predominantly in Northeast Florida. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with private landowners and other public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations. For more information, visit www.northfloridalandtrust.org.