FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2026
Media Contact: Concerned Neighbors of St. Augustine South
info@StAugSouthNews.com
St. Augustine, FL 32086
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — Concerned neighbors of St. Augustine South are calling for increased transparency and a reevaluation of the proposed Shore Drive trail project ahead of a critical public meeting. St. Johns County Commissioner Clay Murphy and representatives from the Parks and Recreation Department will present the trail proposal on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the SASIA Clubhouse (709 Royal Lane).
Residents have identified significant financial, environmental, and legal risks associated with the permanent paving of the neighborhood’s waterfront corridor. Key concerns include:
- Financial & Infrastructure Burdens: The project threatens to increase property assessments and taxes indefinitely. Furthermore, residents highlight a lack of allocated county funds for long-term maintenance, leaving the neighborhood to bear the costs of future upkeep and additional amenities.
- Environmental Degradation: The proposal involves placing tons of asphalt in a sensitive buffer zone. Independent Arborist Danny Lippe (ISA Board Certified Master Arborist #FL6145B) has disputed the County’s assessment of tree and shrub damage. Residents warn that removing vegetation—natural barriers against storm surge—will increase flood risks, erosion, and harmful runoff into the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).
- Safety and Public Access: With St Augustine attracting over 6 million visitors annually, residents fear the trail will draw overwhelming traffic to quiet residential streets and decrease safety. The current plan lacks adequate parking, potentially causing “overflow” issues at local boat ramps and private streets.
- Legal & Ownership Questions: Documents reveal that St. Johns County has been unable to produce a deed for the park property. In a January 2024 letter to Ryan Kane, the County Attorney noted that while easement rights exist, it remains “not clear who currently owns the underlying property.”
“This is a permanent change to our community that can never be unpaved. “We are facing a project that compromises our flood safety, increases our taxes, and invites massive tourism into a residential sanctuary—all on land where ownership remains in question.”
We’re urging all St. Augustine South residents to attend the February 11 meeting to demand answers regarding the project’s long-term impact on property values, safety, and ecological preservation.
Event Details:
- What: St. Johns County Trail Proposal Meeting
- When: February 11, 2026, at 5:30 PM
Where: SASIA Clubhouse, 709 Royal Lane, St. Augustine, FL 32086