Dutton Island Park and Preserve (Atlantic Beach, Florida)

 park, nature conservation park / area

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The Dutton Island Park and Preserve is located just east of the Intracoastal Waterway, in the Atlantic Beach area of Jacksonville. Formerly known as Pine Island, it was renamed for a former owner, Walter Dutton. The City of Atlantic Beach purchased the island from Dutton’s estate in 1998, and developed the property in three phases between early 2000 and the summer of 2003. Meanwhile, as the first acquisition of the newly-created Preservation Project, the City of Jacksonville purchased a nearby 98-acre tract in 1999 as the first expansion, followed by additional purchases of 242 acres in 2003 and 8 acres in 2005. Through the initial vision and work of local real estate broker and conservationist Tom Dumas, and the combined efforts of Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville officials, state agencies, and conservation organizations such as The Trust For Public Land, the park/preserve was established.

The City’s largest park is located west of Mayport Road along the Intracoastal Waterway. Dutton Island is a passive park that consists of 9,000 linear feet of nature trails, a fishing and viewing pier, a canoe/kayak launch, picnic areas and pavilions, a camping area and parking. A marked canoe trail provides a sheltered paddle to Tideviews Park. A new Dutton park is opening in January 2008. A wheelchair is available by calling (904) 247-5834.