Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 27, 2024 – The 7 Creeks Partners are hosting the third annual 7 Creeks Fest on March 9, 2024, at the 7 Creeks Recreation Area in north Jacksonville. This free, family-friendly event is a chance for everyone to celebrate and explore the 7 Creeks Recreation Area which is made up of city, state, national and nonprofit wilderness preserves. The 7 Creeks Fest will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. and includes plenty of activities for all ages. Betz-Tiger Point Preserve at 13990 Pumpkin Hill Rd. is the welcome hub where guests can get the program schedule, visit a host of environmental exhibitors, and enjoy music from a variety of performers including Nan Nkama Pan-African Drum and Dance Ensemble, fiddler Anna Strickland, Americana folk artist Rambler Kane, and singer-songwriter Shifty Gears. A free shuttle will take visitors between the hub and most of the trailheads and parks where activities are planned.
Visitors can take part in guided hikes throughout the 7 Creeks Recreation Area which will focus on native plants, wildflowers, nature photography, archaeology, birds, geocaching, and history. Rangers from JaxParks and the National Park Service’s Timucuan Preserve will be leading hikes, along with award-winning photographer Will Dickey and experts and representatives from Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group, Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Friends of JaxParks Geocaching, UNF Archaeology Lab, Amelia Island Bird Club, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Kayaking at Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park, canoeing at Cedar Point, and both guided and self-guided bike rides from Cedar Point Preserve will be offered. There will be dip netting with rangers from Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park along with a prescribed fire demonstration. A camping clinic with Timucuan Preserve rangers will take place at NPS’ Cedar Point. At Betz-Tiger Point Preserve’s Edwards Creek Trailhead, there will be a fishing heritage presentation focusing on the lifeways and fishing traditions of African American and indigenous peoples along with a Junior Ranger Angler Fishing Clinic (registration is required) for children ages 6 to 16. There will also be a selfie scavenger hunt at North Florida Land Trust’s Bogey Creek Preserve. An entire list of scheduled activities and fishing clinic registration can be found at 7creekfest.org.
Sponsors for the event include W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc., Geosyntec Consultants, Rogers Tower P.A., JAXPORT, JEA, England-Thims & Miller, Inc., the City of Jacksonville, and Visit Jacksonville. The Junior Ranger Angler fishing clinic is supported by the Rotary Club of East Arlington, Lew's, and a National Parks Foundation grant. The 7 Creeks Partners include Timucuan Parks Foundation, the City of Jacksonville, Florida State Parks, the National Park Service, North Florida Land Trust, and Visit Jacksonville.
The 7 Creeks Recreation Area is 5,600 acres of contiguous parklands in northeast Jacksonville that are linked by more than 30 miles of trails and waterways. It includes Betz-Tiger Point Preserve, Bogey Creek Preserve, Cedar Point Preserve, Cedar Point (NPS), Jim Wingate Preserve, Pescatello Island and Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park. This special outdoor destination was made possible by the partnership of park agencies and supportive nonprofits working together to expand access and recreational opportunities for park visitors. More information can be found at timucuanparks.org/7-creeks-jax/.
About Timucuan Parks Foundation
Timucuan Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization that preserves, promotes and enhances Jacksonville’s natural areas through community engagement, education and enjoyment. The foundation originated in 1999 with the Preservation Project Jacksonville, Inc. to identify and assist in acquiring the most vulnerable and environmentally sensitive lands in Duval County. The acquisition of lands created the largest urban park system in the United States. TPF works with its park partners, including the National Park Service, Florida State Parks and the City of Jacksonville, and other community partners to promote environmental stewardship, the health benefits of the parks and preserves, and an appreciation for Jacksonville’s special outdoor spaces. For more information, visit timucuanparks.org or follow @timucuanparks.
About North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida's irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements. NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations. For more information, visit nflt.org.
About City of Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Community Services
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) serves diverse populations of all ages and abilities through recreation activities and programs, conservation and marine resources, sports and entertainment, senior services, social services, disabled services, and extension services serving approximately 900,000 residents in Duval County. PRCS offers over 400 parks and recreational spaces. For more information about The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, visit https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation.
About Florida State Parks
The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of four National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first four-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005, 2013 and 2019 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association. Florida’s 175 state parks, trails and historic sites inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies, and foster community pride. With nearly 800,000 acres, 100 miles of beaches, and more than 1,500 miles of multi-use trails, residents and visitors should plan to visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. For more information, visit FloridaStateParks.org.
About National Park Service
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at NPS.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
About Visit Jacksonville
Visit Jacksonville is a Destinations International accredited Destination Marketing Organization contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion business and leisure tourism growth in Jacksonville. For a closer look at all there is to see and do in Jacksonville, go to VisitJacksonville.com or contact 800-733-2668.