Castaway Island Preserve

Open Sunrise Closed at Sundown  
Rated for
 
kayak launch in marsh at sunset

Available Amenities

Accessible Amenities Artificial Reef Bait & Tackle Baseball Basketball Benches Beach Pier Bike Racks Bike Trail Birding Trail Boat Dock Boat Fuel Boat Pumpout Boat Ramp Boat Trailer Parking Canoe Rental Community Center Concession Stand DogPark Drinking Fountain Equestrian Trail Fishing Available Football Golf Grills Hiking Trail Nonmotorized Launch Kayak Rental Lighting Manatee Education Multipurpose Field On the water Paddle Board Rental Parking Pickleball PWC Rental Picnic Shelters Picnic Tables Playground Restaurant Restrooms RiverWalk Sailboard Rental Sailboat Rental Scenic Overlook Skate Park Soccer Splash Pad Surfing Swimming Pool Tennis Trash Barrels Wheelchair Accessible

About Castaway Island Preserve

Castaway Island Preserve consists of 235 acres, purchased on July 28, 2000 for $1,746,609, 25 acres, purchased on September 11, 2000 for $767,976, and 49 acres, purchased on December 8, 2000 for $1,138,768 by the City of Jacksonville. This site was purchased with the help of a Florida Communities Trust (FCT) grant. FCT reimbursed $1,427,754 to the City. The grant award agreement states that the City will provide a canoe launch, nature trails, waterway trails, information kiosks, and picnic areas on the site. An FDEP grant was awarded to control the exotic species on the site. The exotic species removal has been completed. The grant award was for $18,000. A Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) grant was awarded for the construction of the trails, canoe launch and parking area for $700,000 ($350,000 from FIND and $350,000 from a City match). The trail is wheelchair accessible.

February 2024, a self-service paddle board rental kiosk was installed as a pilot test.
Additional features: floating dock launch
Amenity Count
Benches 7
Canoe/Kayak Launch 1
Car Parking 50
Drinking Fountain  
Grills 4
Perimeter Site Fencing  
Picnic Tables 10
Restrooms 1
Security Lighting  
Trails Paved (Miles) 1
Visitor/Interpretive Center  
Wildlife Observation Posts 1