The Community is invited to the Second Annual 7 Creeks Fest this Saturday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla — The second annual 7 Creeks Fest is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Betz-Tiger Point Preserve at 13990 Pumpkin Hill Road will serve as the welcome hub.

The program schedule will be posted there along with information about the many activities throughout the 7 Creeks Recreation Area.

Guests can also visit the exhibitor booths, partake of the food trucks and enjoy live music including performances from the Nan Nkama Pan-African Drum and Dance Ensemble and local folk and bluegrass bands. A free shuttle bus will be running between the welcome hub and most of the trailheads and parks.

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Activities are planned throughout the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. Visitors can hike the entire 7-mile 7 Creeks Trail with the North Florida Trail Blazers chapter of the Florida Trail Association.

Other guided hikes, focusing on natural resources, native plants, wildflowers, birds, nature photography, and history, will be led by rangers from JaxParks and national park service’s Timucuan Preserve as well as award-winning photographer Will Dickey and experts and representatives from Sierra Club Northeast Florida Group, Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Duval Audubon, and North Florida Land Trust.

Children and adults can enjoy kayaking, canoeing and self-guided bike rides. There will be dip netting with rangers at Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park along with a prescribed fire program. A camping clinic with Timucuan Preserve rangers and archaeology activities with the Florida Public Archaeology Network can be found at NPS’ Cedar Point.

At 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. (The fishing clinic has filled up and registration has been closed.) An entire list of scheduled activities can be found at 7creekfest.org.

Sponsors include JaxPort, the City of Jacksonville, the University of North Florida, Geosyntec Consultants, England-Thims & Miller, and Visit Jacksonville. The Rotary Club of East Arlington and Lew’s is sponsoring the Junior Ranger Angler Fishing Clinic.

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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. The outdoors destination was made possible by the partnership of park agencies and supportive nonprofits working together to expand access and recreational opportunities for park visitors: the City of Jacksonville’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (JaxParks), Florida Park Service (FPS), National Park Service (NPS), North Florida Land Trust (NFLT), Timucuan Parks Foundation (TPF) and Visit Jacksonville. More information can be found at timucuanparks.org/7-creeks-jax/.

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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 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 COJ.net/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

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