NEFAR’s Clean-up Florida Waters runs on Saturday, July 23, From St. Augustine to North Jacksonville
NEFAR’s Clean-up Florida Waters initiative will run on Saturday, July 23 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at nine individual clean-up site locations spanning between St. Augustine Jacksonville’s Northside. Inspired by Florida Realtors®', this month-long, state-wide initiative will be working in tandem with the NEFAR Community Affairs Task Force and welcomes all family and friends.
NEFAR’s Clean-up Florida Waters event is part of a statewide effort promoted by Florida Realtors®, the Sunshine State’s largest real estate association. In a recent press release, Florida Realtors® encouraged “everyone within its membership to make time to dispose of trash littering the shorelines of lakes, beaches, creeks, rivers, and streams that are close to their homes or offices during the month of July. Members of Northeast Florida’s REALTOR® community are encouraged to grab a trash bag and head toward their favorite body of water.”
“The goal is for everyone to come out and clean up Florida’s waterways and have a blast as well,” said Mark Feagle, a member of NEFAR’s Community Affairs Task Force. “It will be a stress-free fun time.”
Aimed to clean portions of the St. Johns River flowing below the Dames Point Bridge, there will be two boat convoys marked by a NEFAR flag giving access to the “hard to reach parts.”
Those registered for clean-up duty will earn a cemmorative t-shirt and grabbers. Participants will be given snacks, water, and of course rubber gloves.
Clean-up Sites:
Wayne B. Stevens Boat Ramp (Hosted by NEFAR)4555 Ortega Farms Blvd., Jacksonville, 32210
Bert Maxwell Boat Ramp (Hosted by NEFAR’s Northside Council)500 Maxwell Road, Jacksonville, 32218
Sidney J. Gefen Riverwalk Park (Hosted by NEFAR’s Historic Area Council and YPN)505 Alfred DuPont Place, Jacksonville, 32202
Main Street Boat Ramp (Hosted by NEFAR’s Southwest Council)3788 Main Street, Middleburg, 32068
Old Ferry Boat Ramp (Hosted by NEFAR’s Southwest Council)2231 Old Ferry Road, Middleburg, 32068
Jacksonville Beach SeaWalk Pavilion (Hosted by NEFAR’s St. Johns Council)75 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, 32250
Mickler’s Landing in Ponte Vedra (Hosted by NEFAR’s Ponte Vedra and Mandarin Councils)1109 Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082
Beaches Town Center (Hosted by NEFAR’s Beaches Council)0 Atlantic Blvd., Neptune Beach, 32256
St. Augustine Beach Pier (Hosted by Keller Williams)350 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach, 32080.
Boating Convoys NEFAR members are also invited to launch their own watercraft in the St. John’s River. Boaters must take caring for their own vessels and heed to all U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
Crystal Cove Marina (Hosted by NEFAR’s Putnam Council)131 Crystal Cove Dr., Palatka, 32177
“Our plan is to follow the 8-2 timeline. Everyone will meet at the marina at 8 a.m. to get supplies and boats will leave directly after. Anyone that would like to help from shore can go to any of the local boat ramps to collect trash. We will have a little get-together afterward at the marina for anyone that would like to hang out to celebrate our efforts,” said Chris Fields, vice chairman of the Putnam Council.
Lions Club Boat Ramp (Hosted by the Community Affairs Task Force)4322 Richard Denby Gatlin Rd., Jacksonville, 32277
Three pontoon boats will be able to seat nine passengers and a captain.
Post cleanup, a party will take place from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans United Craft Brewery, 8999 Western Way, Jacksonville, 32256. Every participant is invited enjoy c craft beer, food, and games with their “clean-up colleagues.” Prizes will be distributed and the winning Council that recruited the most volunteers will be recognized.
Sponsors include Watson Realty Corp., realMLS, Golden Dog Title and Trust. Sherwin-Williams is donating the trash bags. J Dog Junk Removal will remove the trash from the clean-up sites. Jax Boat Rentals iwill donate the pontoon boats.
