Longs Landing

Long's Landing contributed by Barb Kelly

The Joseph Hernandez wharf landing site, believed to be the first in use in the early 1800s in Flagler County, has been discovered in what will become Long's Landing Estuary Park. The landing was used to ship turpentine, rum and other locally raised products to far destinations. In March 2008, information was received by the City of Palm Coast from a local historian that initiated the investigation. As a result, with the help of an old land grant map, determination was made where the landing site was originally located. When a current map was overlaid on the old one, the waterways were the same and on the old map the landing was marked. Archaeologist Dana Ste. Clair was hired to research this site. To Mr. Ste. Clair's and the City's delight, a major discovery, which has been determined a "true archaeological jewel," was uncovered. This Hernandez Landing site has been registered in the Florida Master Site File ahd has all the eligible qualifications for the National Register of Historic Places. The authorization process is underway.

        

A True "Historical Jewel" discovered in Palm Coast.

The wharf provides an optimum historical resource to promote and educate local visitors about early life in this area in North Central Florida. The City of Palm Coast is proposing to build a Long Creek Nature Preserve Environmental Education Center on this project site. Programs will provide recreational opportunities and historic/cultural history lessons to visitors and citizens.

Long's Landing is a 9.3-acre parcel that the City of Palm Coast purchased for $4.5 million in March of 2008. Aorida Communities Trust has recently awarded the City $2.55 million in reimbursement toward this purchase and would not have been possible without the $1.365 million from the Flagler County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program.

Long's Landing corridor is comprised primarily of natural creeks, waterways and wetlands and is a natural estuary that also serves as a vital ecological and drainage corridor foundation for Palm Coast and the Greenway Network. This project site represents a critical open piece to the link between the Long Creek and Big Mulberry Branch corridors.

This property lies next to 225 additional City-owned acres where the main entrance will be located. The natural settings will provide a valuable array of recreational and natural resource benefits for everyone. The Development will include a passive park which will provide shell and paved trails; a lateral fishing pier; two kayak/canoe launch areas, one into the College Waterway and the other into Long's Creek; wildlife observation and boardwalk; nature overlook; infor- mational kiosks; nature/historical edu- cation center, the City's first blue trail (which is a waterway with signs); rest- room facilities; parking lot; entry road and 12-foot roadway with a turnaround for launch area.

Extensive infrastructure will be necessary for the project including rip rap stabilization, culvert improvement, wetland buffer, utilities, water, widening of a bridge for the top section trail connection located on Palm Harbor Parkway.

      


Flagler Magazine - Jan/Feb 09