Ormond Beach May Get Beach Park

Ormond Beach is the only city in the county that has no parks or large parking lots along the shoreline. That may soon change.

The four-acre site where a hotel once stood, along South Atlantic Avenue between Milsap Road and Harvard Drive could become the first beachfront park in Ormond Beach. The Trust for Public Land, a conservation group, is helping negotiate the final details. It could be done by next week and owned by the city by fall. The county property appraiser valued the land this year at $3.4 million, which is half of what it was just two years ago.

The Trust for Public Lands is planning a phone survey for later this month to figure out if citizens want this. If they do, it would probably be a city and county partnership to buy it.

If you have an opinion, contact the Trust.

Florida State Office
306 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 222-7911(850) 222-7911
E-mail

Media Contact
Tim Ahern
(415) 495-5660

Northeast Florida Office
1022 Park StreetSuite
401Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 358-0114
E-mail

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com
www.daytonabeachscene.com

Ormond Beach FL Rockefeller Mansion will Reopen

The Casements, the historic mansion of oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, reopened Thursday in Ormond Beach, following a $1.1 million renovation.

The building has been closed since May for the renovation, which included waterproofing the basement, repairs to the first floor framing, the addition of a new patio, and renovation of the interior to make it more historically accurate.

Originally built in 1915, the 5,000-square-foot house was bought by Rockefeller in 1918 and was his winter home. He died at the Casements in 1937 at the age of 97.

The renovations were paid with $645,400 in Ormond Beach city funds and a $467,450 grant from the Volusia ECHO program, a county fund for environmental, cultural, historic or outdoors projects.

The grand re-opening festivities included a free holiday concert by the Moonlighters Swing Band.

The ECHO Grants-in-Aid program of Volusia County is a "bricks-and-mortar" program, providing grant funds to finance acquisition, restoration, construction, or improvement of facilities to be used for environmental/ecological, cultural, historical/heritage, or outdoor recreation purposes that must be open for public use. Projects helped over time have included the Lively Arts Center, trail construction under the county's Trails Master Plan, a performing arts center in Daytona Beach, and many smaller projects throughout the county.

Our lifestyle here in Ormond Beach is active, energetic, varied, and waiting for you. Search Ormond Beach homes for sale on my web site, and contact me for real estate information on any community of interest.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

Ormond Beach FL Farmer's Market

The Ormond Beach Farmer's Market has started at Rockefeller Gardens, 8 AM - 1 PM, every Thursday, on 25 Riverside Drive. You'll find everything from soy candles and fresh fruit to African baskets, crab cakes and more. They will have locally grown fresh produce, fish, baked goods and agricultural products from a select group of farmers and vendors

Corporate sponsors include Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Daytona Beach News-Journal, Bright House, and the Highlander Corp. Participating vendors include Salsa King, Eco Outdoors, Lucy's Dogs and Sausage, Local Farms 2U, Holly's Orchids, Spring Valley Farms, Sublime Scents, Natures Garden, Gene's Steak House, Sweet Cheyenn's Treats, Bolga Baskets and other companies. See the list of vendors at the OBFarmersMarket web site.

In addition to the vendors, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center will offer low cost medical screenings.

For more information, call 386-451-2138. Directions:

From I-95:
Head East on Granada Blvd. Turn Right on Riverside Dr. Parking is located behind The Casements
From A1A:
Head West on Granada Blvd. Turn Left on Riverside Dr. Parking is located behind The Casements

Our new Ormond Beach Farmer's Market was a huge success it's opening day, Sept. 24. Come join us and support our local businesses. If you decide you want to be a part of our Ormond Beach Lifestyle, even as a vacationer with a 2nd home, contact me for a free copy of my Relocation Package for Ormond Beach.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com

Ormond Beach FL River Walk - can it become a Reality?

Imagine a river walk in the city, complete with a restaurant and day-time marina on the Halifax. The city has come up with two preliminary site plans for Bailey Park to determine whether enough community support exists before spending money on a feasibility study.

"The concept has existed for years, first as a promenade along the shoreline," said Ric Goss, the city's planning director. "Over the years, it morphed and morphed" into many concepts. But he said the idea was included in the city's redevelopment plan in 2007, and in March commissioners directed his staff to develop a few possible options. Two were presented during the Sept. 14 commission meeting.

One calls for a low-impact, 10,000-square-foot "mom and pop" type restaurant complete with 36 parking spaces. The second is more involved, requiring more parking and the historic Pilgrim's Rest Church to be relocated a second time. It originally stood at the Pilgrim's Rest cemetery and was moved to the park when Granada Boulevard was widened many years ago.

Commissioners consider a river walk as a potential economic magnet to draw additional people downtown. "I think it would be outstanding," Mayor Fred Costello said. "But I'd hope it was a local person, rather than a chain" that built the restaurant.

Commissioner Ed Kelley added: " It would create a vibrancy within downtown."

Currently, Ormond Beach has no restaurants or public marina on the river. The city has $75,000 allocated in the 2009-10 budget for a feasibility study -- money collected from a special taxing district that's earmarked for community improvements.

Ormond Beach Florida is a progressive, forward-looking city. Come join our lifestyle. Contact me for a free Relocation Package.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

(resource: News-Journal)

Marine Science Center Rescues Ormond Beach Turtles

Although the Marine Science Center is in Ponce Inlet, the residents and visitors to Ormond Beach enjoy and benefit from the facility, as do all the folks in the Daytona Beach area. Right now the Turtle Terrace is popular, because it's the turtle time of year. The Center is a turtle rehab facility and bird sanctuary, and provides education about the coastal ecosystem preservation and environmental protection needed to keep our coasts healthy.

53 sea turtles - both loggerhead and green - arrived at the turtle section of the Center between Feb. 24 - April 1, all with a mysterious disease. Comatose turtles washed ashore the coasts all along Volusia County, and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Officers brought them to the Center.

Specimens were sent to a lab for analysis, but the results were inconclusive, so the center had to treat the turtles symptomatically instead of for a specific illness. Several turtles have completed their rehabilitation and have been reintroduced to their natural habitat, while others continue their convalescence. Many suffered from internal blockage as a result of overindulgence.

Explained in an article for AJC, "Sea turtles often follow in the wake of shrimping boats as they cull their catch, indulging in a tempting, all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Crustaceans, like crabs, are normally easily digested, but the bycatch from a shrimping boat is a feast, far more food than the sea turtles could ever catch on their own, and they tend to overindulge. The irony is that their gluttony can lead to starvation."

Michael Brothers, Interpretive Chief for the Center, explained, "They get lethargic and bloat, which causes them to float. Because they are bloated with gas, they can no longer go to the bottom for food. It’s like having a life preserver tied to them, and they eventually wash up onshore emaciated.”

The Center is experienced in caring for sick turtles, but its bird sanctuary is well-known as well. Area residents who find a sick or injured bird can place it in a drop-off box that is available 24 hours a day, with the assurance the bird will be treated by a team of experts. The Sanctuary includes a guest viewing area, currently featuring red-tailed hawks, pelicans, egrets, and owls, and a Bird Observation Tower, which provides a panoramic view of Ponce Inlet.

If you are visiting Ormond Beach, drop by to discuss our real estate buying opportunities. If you are considering relocation to Ormond Beach, I'm enthusiastic about our lifestyle and community, so just ask for a Free Relocation Package, or visit my web site and sign up.

And by the way, while you're here, please protect and preserve our coasts, inland, river, and Atlantic.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com

Ormond Beach FL Celebrates Park & Rec Month

Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation recognizing July as Park and Recreation Month, and the Florida Park Service wants everyone to experience outdoor recreation at a Florida state park in July. “Florida’s state parks provide an endless opportunity for family and friends to enjoy the great outdoors and all of its benefits,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “During Park and Recreation Month, we encourage residents and visitors to experience the treasures of state parks in their backyard.”

State Parks in our Ormond Beach area include:

Blue Spring State Park

2100 West French Avenue

Orange City, FL 32763

386-775-3663

Bulow Creek State Park

2099 North Beach Street

Ormond Beach, FL 32174

386-676-4050

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach

3100 South A1A

Flagler Beach, FL 32136

386-517-2086

Hontoon Island State Park

2309 River Ridge Road

Deland, FL 32720

386-736-5309

North Peninsula State Park

40 Highbridge Road

Ormond by the Sea, FL 32176

386-517-2086

Tomoka State Park

2099 North Beach Street

Ormond Beach, FL 32174

386-676-4050

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

6400 North Oceanshore Blvd.

Palm Coast, FL 32173

386-446-6780

In our state parks, you can find almost any outdoor activity you enjoy. Protect, preserve, and have fun!

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
386-679-3191
http://www.ormondbeachflhome.com/

Tomoka State Park, Ormond Beach FL

Native Americans once dwelled here, living off fish-filled lagoons. Today, these waters are popular for canoeing, boating, and fishing. The park protects a variety of wildlife habitats and endangered species, such as the West Indian manatee.

Tomoka is a bird-watcher's paradise, with over 160 species sighted, especially during the spring and fall migrations. Visitors can stroll a one-half mile nature trail through a hardwood hammock that was once an indigo field for an 18th century British landowner. A boat ramp gives boaters and canoeists access to the river. The Park Store offers snacks, camping supplies, and canoe rentals.

There is a burn ban currently in effect until further notice in Volusia County. The only outdoor fires allowed in the park will be charcoal or gas grill.

For overnight stays, the park has full-facility campsites and youth camping. Located three miles north of Ormond Beach on North Beach Street. Admission Fees are $4 per vehicle for up to 8 passengers, $1 for pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers and permit holders. Camping fee is $20. Contact 386-673-0022 for more information and visit Tomoka State Park. (Photo courtesy of State Park web site.)

Sherry Armstrong
http://www.sherryarmstrong.com/
yourkeytothebeach@gmail.com
386-679-3191