In response to recommendations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and pursuant to the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, the Department of Parks, Recreation, Entertainment and Conservation will extend the temporary closure on an approximate 850-foot section of beach at Huguenot Memorial Park to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic through mid-August.  This is required to protect a number of bird species nesting in the northern part of the park. 

Park management initially closed the stretch of shoreline on July 20 in response to USFWS recommendations.  After continuing to monitor the situation, management has noted a number of new hatchlings in the area.  The extension will give the juvenile birds time to mature, while being kept out of harms way. 

In addition, the park will continue to close the entire beach to vehicular traffic at 8 p.m. to protect wildlife on the beach.  With the exception of the 850-foot area, the remainder of the beach will still be accessible to pedestrians after hours. 

Birds currently nesting and residing on the beach at Huguenot include Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers, Royal Terns, Least Terns, Forster’s Terns, Sandwich Terns, Gull-billed Terns, Whimbrels, Willets, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Plovers, Wilson Plovers, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, and Laughing Gulls.

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.” 

Anyone found disturbing birds or other park-dwelling animals may be subject to a fine.  The fine for harming or harassing migratory birds is $15,000.

Managed by the City of Jacksonville’s Department of Parks, Recreation, Entertainment and Conservation, 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.

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