Mayport Waterfront Partnership
A quarter-century of dedicated advocacy to preserve a Working Waterfront & the Heritage of an Authentic Village.
View the Mayport Action Plan now!
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 facilites 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 to be 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 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. History continues to evolve in this fishing village.
Eco-Tourism
A blend of opportunities converge in this exciting area where a river rushes to meet the sea. Mayport Villlage is the perfect place to begin a deep sea fishing excursion, or to set up a chair at the Little Jetties. Future plans will support the interests of kayakers and standup paddlers. The ferry makes an interesting transit experience for long-distance cyclers enjoying the scenic highway along A1A. Air B&B lodgings in the village help make a destination for those looking for eco-adventure 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!