By Kate Kimmel
The long-awaited opening of Fernandina Beach’s new waterfront park drew a crowd of more than 100 residents and community leaders Saturday afternoon, marking the completion of a project more than two decades in the making.
Under clear skies, the celebration began at 2 p.m. with a lively performance by the Honey Badgers, whose music set the tone for a relaxed, festive afternoon along the water. Some attendees settled into beach chairs near the park’s edge, while others wandered the grounds, taking in the newly finished space for the first time.
At the heart of the park, a stage and courtyard served as the focal point for the event, hosting both the opening ceremony and the afternoon’s entertainment. Nearby, tents and tables lined the walkways, where community organizations, including city departments, the Main Street program and Keep Nassau Beautiful, greeted visitors and shared information about their work. A booth hosted by T-Mobile highlighted the $50,000 “Homegrown” grant that funded the park’s children’s climbing structure, one of its most popular features.
The park was visibility new, with freshly laid mulch, newly planted native palms and spotless seating areas. Families gravitated toward the playground and open green spaces, while others paused along the marina-facing walkway to take in sweeping views of the water and easy access to the docks below.
Public art and local history are woven throughout the park’s landscape. A shrimp boat statue pays tribute to the area’s fishing heritage, while an anchor installation and a series of 22 memorial benches — some still awaiting dedication — offer places for reflection.
The pirate statue created by local artist Jett Paxton drew a steady line of visitors eager to snap photos. Students in grades six through 12 submitted names for the statue over the past few weeks through a contest organized by the city’s Youth Advisory Committee.
During the ceremony, organizers announced the winning entries. High school junior Joey Santrock earned naming honors with “Captain Clinch,” an homage to the island’s Fort Clinch, while sixth grader Addison Higginbotham was recognized for crafting the statue’s backstory.
“Captain Clinch is known as Peg Leg Pete’s younger brother. Peg Leg Pete was Amelia Island’s mascot. He soon retired and went to sail the seas. Clinch is very sad that his brother is gone but he decided that he would hop in and is willing to fill in Pete’sboot on Centre Street. He wants many visitors to keep coming, to see the beauty, and history of Amelia Island.”
The statue is currently under a one-year agreement between the city and the Pirates’ Club which commissioned it, though it is widely expected to become a permanent fixture.
City leaders formally marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting led by Mayor James Antun, joined by commissioners and staff. The moment symbolized the culmination of years of planning, with the design plans for the project first approved in July 2024 and later expanded following the termination of the Atlantic Seafood lease.
In total, the park represents a $2.4 million investment in the city’s waterfront, one that transforms a long-discussed vision into a vibrant public space.
From the shaded seating areas to the waterfront views, and from the music-filled stage to the storybook charm of Captain Clinch, the new park offers something for every visitor, and, judging by Saturday’s turnout, a place the community is ready to make its own.
kkimmel@nassaunewsline.net
