Peacock

[kensuf]

I guess I am just very confused. Are they waiting to clear the entire forest of hazards before they open it? Seems like the intelligent thing to do would be to chop and open the road and then they can take the time removing debris. I heard a contract had been issued and now they were waiting on the contractors. Of course half of Suwannee County still isn't cleaned up yet so time wise????? If someone can explain why this was not as simple as cutting the road clear and dropping trees into the treeline I am all ears. Has anyone seen the P1 deck and boardwalk? Hopefully the cave community does not get extorted for money to repair/replace it according to state park guidelines before cave access is allowed. Some may forget the Martz steps that went from a 1k project to a 7k project when state "construction guidelines" had to be met. I chipped in my $500 but will never forget we were told that if we did not raise the money they just wouldn't open it back up. The deck at Troy could be fixed in an afternoon and has been shut for months. They actually spent several hours redoing the yellow caution tape and reinstalling more 2 by 6 boards to block it off instead of working to repair it. I was there that day and saw it. The dock at Troy has been closed for two years. I thought Meetinghouse was being opened? Where did the money go that was collected for that? Did Emerald open back up and did anyone get an answer why it was closed???? Is it a budget issue? A staff issue? Oh and Ginnie is a separate story. They have had a few deaths from trees. As far as I know most were intents at night when tropical storms rolled through, not random hikers.

Mike and Kara swam to P1 last weekend and shot some footage of the deck and parking lot. Things don't look too bad there.

[sdenney]

Had a meeting with the park manager, Nick, regarding the progress to open up access to P1-3. It should be another 1-1.5 weeks of work removing the trees. The access road is pretty torn up, but you'll be able to drive back there if your vehicle can make it. Eventually the road will be fixed and lined on the sides with logs to try to keep erosion to a minimum. Picnic tables survived, but the tank racks will need to be rebuilt and the fencing will need to be redone. The change room seems to be ok, aside from one board. The NFSA is working with the CDS to get things ready for volunteers in January to do the repairs.

[kensuf]

Had a meeting with the park manager, Nick, regarding the progress to open up access to P1-3. It should be another 1-1.5 weeks of work removing the trees. The access road is pretty torn up, but you'll be able to drive back there if your vehicle can make it. Eventually the road will be fixed and lined on the sides with logs to try to keep erosion to a minimum. Picnic tables survived, but the tank racks will need to be rebuilt and the fencing will need to be redone. The change room seems to be ok, aside from one board. The NFSA is working with the CDS to get things ready for volunteers in January to do the repairs.

Thank you Sean! Is there a fund open to donate for bench repairs?

[phil_pf]

The following was posted to the Dive Outpost Facebook page on January 3:


Fred StrattonNSS-CDS




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Join the NSS-CDS and NFSA for Peacock Springs Workdays January 20th and 21st.

Calling all volunteers interested in helping the NSS–CDS and North Florida Springs Alliance (NFSA) restore Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park to its pre-Idalia condition.

Energetic volunteers are invited to sign up for either or both workdays to repair damaged fencing and diver benches, remove posts buried in concrete, build and set new fencing in concrete, and build two new diver benches.

Can’t attend? Want to help? Donations toward materials, supplies or food and water for the crew are always appreciated.

No carpentry skills? No worries - we can teach you! Support tasks are also needed.

Email Fred Stratton at programdirector@nsscds.org for more information and to sign up prior to Tuesday, 17 January 2024. Florida State Parks require that we submit a screenshot of your Driver’s License prior to the event.