The history of the Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway — the pride of Amelia Island

Egans Creek Greenway was recently renamed and dedicated to Ron Sapp, former mayor and city commissioner. Ron Sapp was instrumental in securing the 2001 Open Space bond issue, which provided $6 million dollars in municipal funding required to purchase and protect the 300 acres that make up the Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway today!

In 2002, I remember walking in the north Egans Creek Greenway between Atlantic Avenue and Jasmine Street. At that time, there was only one very small footbridge spanning a very small freshwater creek that flowed north. This bridge was located east of what is now Shell Cove Circle, at the end of Hickory Street. The small creek was surrounded by a freshwater ecosystem with oak trees, red maples, small foot trails, and grass meadows. As a fairly new resident, I was not aware that this ecosystem was man-made. I was not aware of the tremendous effort by the city of Fernandina Beach to restore this area to a salt marsh. Needless to say, I was horrified when the bulldozers came.

The bulldozers cleared the area, removing most of the freshwater vegetation that had existed for over 50 years. At first, it looked like an environmental disaster; over 50 acres of mud with just a few trees left standing. Shortly after the area was cleared, the newly constructed two-way gate at Atlantic Avenue was opened. Fueled by the Amelia River and the ocean tides, the life-giving brackish water of Egans Creek once again flowed south under Atlantic Avenue. The mudflat was now flooded and emptied with the oscillations of the daily tides. What happened next was the most amazing transformation. I have never been so impressed with nature! It took less than two years for a newly forming salt marsh to appear. 

Two large bridges were built over Egans Creek, which now flowed north and south, from Atlantic to Jasmine, with the natural flow of the tides. Salt marsh cordgrass found its way back in, repopulating the area. All types of birds flew in from neighboring marshes, including roseate spoonbills, herons, egrets, eagles, hawks, osprey, ibises, kingfishers, and many more. The fish swam back to their ancestral breeding grounds and nursery. The island’s alligators repositioned themselves to feast on the bounty, claiming their new territories. From Fort Clinch came the deer, coyotes, bobcats, marsh rabbits, raccoons, opossums, not to mention the snakes, frogs, and lizards. This was an amazing sequence of events, an incredible recolonization.

Shortly after tidal flow was restored, there was a panic as residents watched in horror as acres of beloved red maples south of Jasmine Street succumbed to salt water intrusion and died. The salty water had flowed through the culverts under Jasmine Street, making its way farther south than intended. The grove of red maples was beautiful, with leaves turning colors in the fall. The loss was hard; many locals were upset, but there needed to be some perspective. Residents needed to understand the 50-year-old grove was man-made, that a salt marsh had once naturally extended through this area, and the restoration of the original salt marsh to the north was a noble venture. Unfortunately, the red maples were an unforeseen casualty. In response, a one-way floodgate was designed and installed at Jasmine Street to stop the saltwater. Although too late to save the established maples, the Jasmine gate successfully stopped the tidal flow, preserving the freshwater ecosystem in the south Greenway.

I get a warm feeling of pride when I remember the restoration of our incredible local salt marsh. It was such a joy to watch. I feel so grateful that our city saw the value in conservation. We benefit from letting nature have her way. Salt marshes provide flood control, a natural filtration system, and are a nursery and breeding ground for so many species. The Greenway provides recreational opportunities, and as stated by 19th-century conservationist Fredrick Law Olmsted, mental and physical wellness for humans. The modern Egans Creek Greenway is a sanctuary for both wildlife and people. Standing on the bridges in the Greenway, the vistas are stunning. One can look around and see nothing but nature. I would like to thank all the people who were involved in the conservation effort to acquire land and restore the salt marsh in the north Egans Creek Greenway. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge all those people who currently enjoy and protect it. When people get together, they can accomplish great things!