Mayport Waterfront Partnership

A quarter-century of dedicated advocacy to preserve a Working Waterfront & the Heritage of an Authentic Village.

Our Vision:
The Future Rests on Four Pillars

Commercial Fishing

Mayport Shrimp is a brand known around the world. according to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida’s commercial fisheries generate 3.2 billion in income annually and support 76,700 jobs. These numbers would be much higher except for the loss of docks, related infrastructure, and the facilities that support commercial fishing. These steeply declined over recent decades due to intense population growth and real estate development pressures statewide.
Increased dockage is key to strengthening this vital economic driver. In addition to City of Jacksonville’s plans for CIP-funded docks, MWP has applied for $7 million from the State of Florida, and are seeking additional appropriations.

Education & Research

Diversity survives! Grants from NOAA are being pursued to expand the offerings of Florida Youth Maritime Training Inc. This organization along with the Marine Science Education Center are preparing the next generation of seafaring commercial fishermen.
While Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute has teamed up with world-class Ocearch to improve viability of marine life world-wide from their home berth in Mayport Village.

Cultural Heritage & History

Originally home to Timucuans, now at least 13 generations of Minorcans have also called Mayport Village home. The first Protestant prayer spoken on the North American continent was offered up by French explorer Jean Ribault on May 1st, 1562, at the current site of Mayport.
Mayport Village’s lighthouse, the St. Johns River Light, was built in 1858.
In 1940 Elizabeth Stark’s estate, Wonderwood-by-the-Sea, was garnered by the U.S. government to create Mayport Naval Station. Significant history continues to evolve in this historic fishing village.

EcoTourism

A blend of opportunities converges in this exciting area where a river rushes to meet the sea. Mayport Village is the perfect place to begin a deep-sea fishing excursion, or to set up a chair at the Little Jetties at Helen Cooper Floyd Park. Future plans will support the interests of kayakers and standup paddlers. The St. Johns River Ferry makes an interesting transit experience for long-distance cyclers and motorists enjoying the scenic highway, A1A-Ocean Islands Trail. Air B&B lodgings in the Village make this a comfortable destination for those looking for eco-adventure on both sides of the St. Johns River.

“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible,
but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.”
-Vincent Van Gogh

The MWP was formed in 1998 as soon as …

the State of Florida designated Mayport Village as one of its first three Waterfronts Florida Communities in 1997. High yields for waterfront property, restrictions on fishermen’s hauls, and increasingly high costs of maintaining waterfront infrastructure had already taken their toll by that time. With their new status as a Waterfronts Florida Community and the 10K grant that came with it, there was fresh impetus to preserve the Village and its way of life.

A diverse group of citizens made up of civic leaders, urban planners, architects, educators, and business people formed the Mayport Waterfront Partnership to safeguard what still existed and find an authentic path for revitalization. That was 25 years ago and we haven’t looked back!

Ideas?

Maybe you have a good idea for the future of Mayport Village.

We’d love to hear from you through our connect page!