Friday, June 13, 2008 Jacksonville, Fla.    

As a preventative action, the Recreation and Community Services Department Waterfront Management and Programming Division will temporarily close approximately 300 feet of the beach in zone 11 at Huguenot Memorial Park to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic to protect a number of bird species nesting and foraging in the northern part of the park’s beach.

 

Visitors wishing to access “the point” in Zone 12 by vehicle should travel along the inlet.  The closure is effective Friday, June 13 and may be extended as conditions warrant.  The bird nesting season begins around April 1 and typically runs to Aug. 31.

 

Birds nesting and foraging at Huguenot include Black Skimmers, Royal Terns and Laughing Gulls. Vehicles and pedestrians pose a threat to flightless juvenile birds that have left the dune nests and made their way to the beach.  Because their wings are not yet fully developed, they are unable to quickly escape potential vehicular dangers. 

 

The park currently closes the entire beach to vehicular traffic at 8 p.m. daily to protect area wildlife.  The beach is still accessible to pedestrians after 8 p.m. 

 

All wildlife in the park is protected by City Ordinance Sec. 28.818 which states, “Hunting or disturbing animals prohibited. (a)   It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or disturb in any manner any of the fish, water fowl, birds, reptiles or any animals whatsoever present in, belonging to or preserved in any park or other recreational facility.” 

 

Pursuant to the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, anyone found disturbing birds may be subject to a fine.  The fine for harming or harassing migratory birds is $15,000.

 

Huguenot Memorial Park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail making it a phenomenal place to view nature at work.  Each month, a park naturalist conducts educational programs at this and other City of Jacksonville parks.  Programs at Huguenot for the month of June and July include:

 

BEACH WALK AND TALK

12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19

2-3 p.m. Thursday, June 19

12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17

2-3 p.m., Thursday, July 17

12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31

2-3 p.m. Thursday, July 31

Fresh air and exercise are benefits of a guided tour through this beautiful oceanfront park which is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.  Dress for the weather and location.  Use sunscreen and insect repellant, and bring water and binoculars if you have them. The program is for all ages, but some of the terrain makes it inappropriate for strollers.  Meet at the campground store inside the park.  There is a park admission fee of $.50 per person required enter the park.

 

Managed by the City of Jacksonville’s Recreation and Community Services Department, Huguenot Memorial Park is located at 10980 Heckscher Drive.  The park is currently open

daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

 

To learn more about Huguenot Memorial Park, call (904) 251-3335 or visit www.jaxparks.com. 

 

To learn more about the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, visit www.fws.gov.