Florida Senate - 2019 (NP) SR 1874 By Senator Bean 4-05207A-19 20191874__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 3 opening of the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State 4 Park and the 35th anniversary of the leasing of Amelia 5 Island State Park. 6 7 WHEREAS, the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park, 8 located northeast of Jacksonville, is a mile-long, pedestrian 9 only fishing bridge that spans Nassau Sound and provides access 10 to one of the best fishing spots in this state, and 11 WHEREAS, known for many years as the Old Nassau Sound 12 Bridge, the structure was closed to traffic and opened to 13 pedestrians, bicyclists, and fishermen in 1999 when construction 14 of a new bridge was completed and, in 2000, was renamed in honor 15 of former Representative George Crady, and 16 WHEREAS, today, anglers catch a variety of fish from the 17 George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier, including whiting, jack, drum, 18 and tarpon, and have access to the pier 24 hours a day, 365 days 19 a year, and 20 WHEREAS, the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park 21 was used as a link in the Timucuan Trail, a proposed 22 bicycle/pedestrian path connecting four state park units, the 23 Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, and several City of 24 Jacksonville parks, and 25 WHEREAS, Amelia Island State Park, an easy drive from 26 Jacksonville or Fernandina Beach, encompasses more than 200 27 acres of unspoiled wilderness along the southern tip of Amelia 28 Island, and 29 WHEREAS, with beautiful beaches, salt marshes, and coastal 30 maritime forests, Amelia Island State Park was leased to the 31 Division of Recreation and Parks in November 1984, with the goal 32 of protecting and restoring the natural and cultural values of 33 the property and providing the greatest benefit to the residents 34 of this state, and 35 WHEREAS, Amelia Island State Park is the only state park in 36 Florida offering horseback riding on its beaches, which has 37 become a favorite pastime of visitors, and 38 WHEREAS, George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park and 39 Amelia Island State Park are two of Florida’s environmental and 40 recreational treasures, enjoyed by residents and tourists alike, 41 NOW, THEREFORE, 42 43 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 44 45 That the 20th anniversary of the opening of the George 46 Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park and the 35th anniversary of 47 the leasing of Amelia Island State Park are celebrated.