The North Florida Land Trust is expanding Bogey Creek Preserve by 12 acres.
The nonprofit conservation organization closed on the additional piece of property Friday.
The property was bought from the McGehee family, who waited years to sell the land to make sure it would be preserved forever.
An anonymous donor, a matching donation from the Timucuan Parks Foundation and community donations helped the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) raise the $150,000 it needed to close the deal.
“Now we have to get to work to prepare the trail and complete the pathway through the preserve which will connect all of the parks in the newly named 7 Creeks Recreation Area,” said Jim McCarthy, president of NFLT. “We thank the McGehees who started talking preservation with the city more than 20 years ago and worked with us to give us the time needed to raise the capital. Now everyone will be able to enjoy the land that they love.”
Bogey Creek Preserve is one of seven parks in the 7 Creeks Recreation Area, which includes more than 30 miles of trails along seven creeks on Jacksonville’s Northside.
The preserve is also home to a mile of critical marsh front along with other important habitats that support threatened and endangered species including the West Indian manatee.
Brendan Rivers can be reached at brivers@wjct.org, 904-358-6396 or on Twitter at @BrendanRivers.
