First Coast Trail Forgers Walking Club

club walkers
UPCOMING WALKING EVENTS

   

First Coast Trail Forgers Walking Club

2012 Walks

 

Sat. January 28,  9:00 AM University of North Florida, Guided Walk -  Description:  UNF was established in 1972 and is nestled among 1,300 scenic acres that include a nature and wildlife area with lakes and nature trails that are not stroller/wheelchair friendly. UNF enrolls 14,000 students in 50 undergraduates, 25 masters and one doctoral program. A portion of the campus is used for scientific research and area school children visit for environmental lessons. Please visit their web site, www.unf.edu. Start Point/Driving Directions: University of North Florida - North Parking Lot #18, Southbound on I95, take exit 362, Route 9A South/East to the UNF exit (one after the Beach Blvd exit. Turn left (east) on UNF Drive, going under 9A, enter the campus and go to the first traffic light. Turn left at traffic light following the signs to Lot #18. Bear right at the round-about and park in Lot #18 on your left. Northbound on I95, take Exit 337, 9A East and follow to the UNF Exit (first exit after J.Turner Blvd). Turn right at UNF Drive, enter the campus and go to the first traffic light and turn left following the signs to Lot #18. Bear right at the round-about and park in Lot #18 on your left. Contact: Diana Sherrill (904) 608-4689, diana.sherrill@clearwire.net

Sat. February 4,  8:45 AM Fort George Island Guided Walk -  Description:  The walk will begin at the legendary historically restored Ribault Club, established in 1928 as a playground for the affluent; it now serves as the gateway to the Timucuan Preserve. The walk then proceeds through Kingsley Plantation; an early 1800's sea island cotton plantation, along with remains of tabby structured ruins and slave quarters. Get a glimpse of the St. George Episcopal Church, Point Isabel and the Plantation gift shop bookstore. Start Point/Driving Directions: Fort George Island Cultural State Park, 12157 Heckscher Drive, Jacksonville, Fl 32226, Parking lot across from Ribault Clubhouse Contact: Sharon Scott (904) 236-8412, scott832509@bellsouth.net

Thursday, February 9,  The Tater Tour is coming to Florida. As part of their tour, they will be walking two of our Year Round Events. We plan on walking with them to welcome them to FL and be of any assistance we can be with their walk. They will be walking Fernandina in the morning. Meet at 8:20 am at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 19 S 2nd St., Fernandina Beach. In the afternoon they will be walking the Atlantic Beach walk. Meet at Lillie’s Coffee Bar, 200 1st St., Neptune Beach at 1:45 PM. Contact: Diana Sherrill (904) 608-6849, diana.sherrill@clearwire.net

Saturday February 11, 9:00 AM Jacksonville/San Marco (YRE) Guided Walk  -  Description:  See - "Our Year-Round Events"

Sun. February 26,  2:00 PM Springfield (Jacksonville) Guided Walk and Early Bird Dinner  -  Description:  Springfield is a neighborhood north of downtown of approximately 1 square mile between Hogan's Creek and 12th Streets and between Boulevard and Ionia Streets. It was originally part of an 1823 Spanish land grant owned by John Hogan. It was named Springfield in 1869, which is commonly recognized as the year the neighborhood was founded. The neighborhood grew very slowly during the next 15 years until a streetcar line was extended to 8th Street which caused quicker growth of the neighborhood. Springfield was spared from the devastating fire of 1901 because Hogan's Creek stopped the spread of the fire. Growth of the neighborhood really took off after the fire when many city residents rebuilt their homes in Springfield. Springfield was a grand neighborhood during its heyday from 1901 through the 1920's. The architectural style of the majority of the buildings in Springfield is vernacular. Many other buildings are of the Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, Prairie, Bungalow and Mediterranean style. Recent years have seen a rebirth of Springfield. Many of the homes have been beautifully restored, while others are still in a state of disrepair. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Start Point/Driving Directions: OMNI Hotel - 245 Water St., Jacksonville, Fl, From I95 Northbound take exit 352B (Forsyth St). Go about .9 miles to Pearl St. and turn right. Go two blocks to Water St and turn left. Omni Hotel is on left. From I95 Southbound take left lane exit 353B (West Union St). Go left toward Riverfront/Sports Complex. Go about .6 miles to Pearl St and turn right. Go 9 blocks to Water Street and turn left. Hotel is on the left. Contact: Diana Sherrill (904) 608-4689, diana.sherrill@clearwire.net

Saturday March 3, 9:00 AM Palatka Ravine Gardens (YRE) Guided Walk  -  Description at:  www.ava.org/gen3/data/event_details.asp?eventid=90735

Sat. March 17,  9:00 AM Orange Park Guided Walk  -  Description:  This walk traverses old Orange Park, passing through shady old neighborhoods under mature live oaks. Much of it is along the St. Johns River with expansive views where the river is three miles wide. Start Point/Driving Directions: Orange Park Town Hall - 2042 Park Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073, From I295, take US 17 South (Park Ave) past Kingsley Avenue one block to Stowe Avenue. Turn right on Stowe Avenue to the Town Hall. The Town Hall complex is at the corner of Park Avenue and Kingsley Avenue. Contact: Sharon Scott (904) 236-8412, scott832509@bellsouth.net

Saturday March 24, 9:00 AM Gainesville (YRE) Guided Walk  -  Description:  See - "Our Year-Round Events"

Saturday March 31, 9:00 AM St. Marys, Georgia (YRE) Guided Walk  -  Description:  See - "Our Year-Round Events"

Sat. April 14,  9:00 AM Old Ortega (Jacksonville) Guided Walk  -  Description:  Ortega is a historic neighborhood known for its giant oak trees, waterfront mansions and parks. Ortega was platted and began development in the early 1900's. Most of Ortega's housing stock reflects the Mediterranean and Tudor Revival styles. Old Ortega was designated a US Historic District on July 14, 2004 and contains 597 historic buildings. Start Point/Driving Directions: Stockton Park - 4021 Ortega Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32210, From US17 (Roosevelt Blvd) take Verona Avenue East (towards the St. Johns River). Turn left onto Ortega Blvd. Stockton Park is on the right. Note: if heading South on Roosevelt Blvd., pass San Juan Avenue and turn left onto Verona Avenue. If heading North on Roosevelt Blvd., pass Timuquana Road and turn right onto Verona Avenue. Contact: Kristin Raasch (904) 563-6953, kraasch1725@gmail.com

Saturday April 28, 9:00 AM Fernandina Beach Guided Walk  -  Description: See - "Our Year-Round Events"

Saturday May 5, 9:00 AM Ormond Beach (YRE) Guided Walk  -  Description at:  www.ava.org/gen3/data/event_details.asp?eventid=90739 or www.ava.org/gen3/data/event_details.asp?eventid=90750

Sat. May 12,  9:00 AM Green Cove Springs Guided Walk and Picnic -  Description:  The walk begins and ends in Spring Park which features a sulfur water spring. The walk includes charming residential areas with many views of the St. Johns river and continues through the historic downtown area. The area was settled around 1850. Green Cove became a prime tourist attraction, famous for the warm, therapeutic springs. The spring is one of approximately a dozen sulfur water springs in Florida and is still popular today as a tourist site and a public swimming facility. The water boils up from a large fissure, some twenty feet below the surface at the rate of approximately 3,000 gallons per minute. The 78 degree water is crystal clear and feeds the municipal pool before flowing into the St. Johns River. Start Point/Driving Directions: Spring Park, Spring Street @ St. John's River, Green Cove Springs, FL, From the north, take US17 from Orange Park about 10 miles to Green Cove Springs. About 1 mile past Governor's Creek, turn left on Spring St. Go two blocks to Spring Park. From the south, take US17 North past State Rd. 16 about 3/4 of a mile to Spring St. Turn right and go two blocks to Spring Park. Contact: Kristin Raasch (904) 563-6953, kraasch1725@gmail.com

 June through August – Fun/Restaurant Group Walks only -  stay tuned

 

YRE = Year Round Event 

FVA = Florida Volkssport Association

 

All group walks are sanctioned events qualifying for AVA credit.
All walks are open to the public.
For more information, please call (904)704-8402 or e-mail to HeadForger@FirstCoastTrailForgersWalkingClub.org.