Frequently Asked Questions

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SASIA is a group of resident volunteers with a goal of preserving the natural beauty of St. Augustine South and building strong community partnerships with county government and local businesses. It is not a homeowners’ association, SASIA doesn’t set or enforce rules and regulations, but works to share information about issues and events important to the community. Everyone who resides in St. Augustine South is welcome, and those living nearby are always welcome at our social events. 

The pavilion is property of Parks and Recreation and is not available to reserve. It is available on a first-come first-served basis. Both the pavilion and Tot Lot Park are open to the public. Any specific questions can be directed to Parks & Recreation: (904) 209-0333, 2175 Mizell Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080.

Check out our Clubhouse Page for details. You can also email info@staugsouth.com or call 904-615-6916.

Responses were provided by St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Staff (in reference to the January 17, 2024 General Meeting). Questions are displayed in no particular order but grouped into themes (design, maintenance, ownership, privacy and security, restrooms and water fountains, taxes, and stakeholder input).

Design-related Questions and Comments

Question: How would pickleball courts with basketball court there too? Moveable nets? Sign up? What happens if pickleball players show up and basketball players are playing?

Response: This was just an example of how Parks can provide a number of court sports within the footprint of two courts.

Question: Can we have a dog park? 50' x 50' fenced area (minimum size). Ideal off leash fenced area (1 for large, 1 for small dogs).

Response: The current project is to replace the courts that were removed. Once completed, expanding the park amenities can be addressed with the community as well.

Question: Who decides on designs?

Response: Community will be able to provide input on final design

Question: Where is the drainline?

Response: Drainline is located down the center of the two parcels

Question: Will tennis courts have a high fence to keep balls out of neighbors' yards?

Response: We can work to add 10-foot sides and back along the court to prevent balls going into neighbors yards. 

Question: How many courts in the space available?

Response: This is to be determined based on the proposals we receive. At a minimum, there will be an option with one basketball court, tennis and pickleball court.

Question: Could they do a double tennis/ pickleball court and the basketball on the other half?

Response: It can be looked into

Maintenance-related Questions and Comments

Question: Who will be responsible for maintenance?

Response: St. Johns County

Ownership-related Questions and Comments

Question: Who will own the courts?

Response: St. Johns County would be the owner and responsible for maintenance of the courts

Privacy and Security-related Questions and Comments

Question: Can we prohibit cameras? Seems too big brother.

Response: If there is no vandalism there would be no reason to add security cameras. As stated in the meeting, this would only occur if the SJCSO was not able to address the issue as it occurred by adding this location as a stop for offices to complete evening reports. 

Question: What will be done to prevent dangerous and illegal activity in the park?

Response: If dangerous or illegal activity occurred in the park staff would coordinate with SJCSO and walk through the process of determining what steps would need to be put in place to deter the behavior. 

Restroom and Water Fountain-related Questions and Comments

Question: Can St. Johns Park and Rec provide porta potties as they have at Douglas Crane or South boat ramp?

Response: Staff can add a portalet.

Question: Where are the bathrooms?

Question: Equity concern, boys are able to just go into the bushes and pee, girls can't do that! If going to Crane Park to clean the porta potties then why can't have at least one at royal road park?

Question: Any plans for bathrooms?

Question: Where will drinking fountains be?

Question: Water accessibility to drink? Yes to porta potties - ADA and Regular?

Response to the five previous questions: The project was to replace the old courts with newer courts, it never contained the addition of a restroom. Staff can coordinate to have a portalet added to the location based on community input. 

Question: Royal Road park, with increased usage of the park with added activities available how are you addressing the need for restrooms and water fountains as the clubhouse is not available for usage unless it is rented or festival gathering?

Response: The project was to replace the old courts with newer courts, it never contained the addition of a water fountain. Staff can look into what the cost of adding a water fountain to the park would costs. Additionally, a portalet can be added as well. 

Question: If bathrooms are drinking water and security are required - $500k - will the community pay for those upgrades (taxes) or with the county pay?

Response: Bathrooms/water fountains are not required. If a security camera is needed SJC would provide it. We will work with staff to determine the cost of adding a water fountain to the park as well. Restrooms would require a Capitol Improvement Project to be submitted for funding. In the meantime staff can work to have a portalet added to the location. 

Question: Where will drinking fountains be?

Response: The project was to replace the old courts with newer courts, it never contained the addition of a water fountain. Staff can look into what the cost of adding a water fountain to the park would costs.

Tax-related Questions and Comments

Question: Will taxes ever increase due to costs of maintenance?

Response: This would be a Board of County Commissioner decision and would impact all residents who live in SJC. There would not be an additional tax added for SASIA residents for the maintenance of these courts.  

Stakeholder Input-related Questions and Comments

Question: Will SASIA have a survey for members to voice their choices of which sports?

Response: Staff will provide examples of the Court options that will fit within this area and coordinate with SASIA on putting a survey out to vote on the options the community likes the most.

Question: Do surrounding residents have more voice over neighborhood?

Response: Unfortunately no this would be a community vote based on the proposals that are submitted.

Responses from Ryan Kane (St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Director) to residents' questions from May 2023.

Question: The status and schedule for the installation of Shore Drive Park Trail. That is one of the best things to happen to the area and will give pedestrians, people with dogs and kids and casual adults on bikes a better place to ride than the streets. 

Response: Staff is awaiting permit notification from ACOE of a Nationwide Permit-14. Once all permits are received we are able to move forward with normal procurement/bid process for this project. Additionally, staff is preparing submittals for the Recreation Trail Program grant that was received for this project to make certain the project stays in compliance with the grant requirements.

Question: The presence of abandoned and derelict boats in the waterways around St. Augustine South. They are a really bad eyesore. And please do not give the same response that I have received from FWC numerous times: “The legal system is really slow”. What action will you take to remove these derelicts? See photos below [photos were attached in an email]. 

Response: Although the same response is not desired it stands true. The FWC and SJSO work on derelict boats and they must go through the proper legal system steps in order to be removed. They are private property and thus the government is unable able to remove them without the process coming to fruition. To staff’s knowledge, neither of the vessels below have met those guidelines to be eligible for removal.

Question: Update on the Shore Drive pathway, start and finish dates.

Response: Staff is awaiting permit notification from Army Core Of Engineers of a Nationwide Permit-14. Once all permits are received we are able to move forward with normal procurement/bid process for this project.

Question: Update on the Tennis, Basketball and Pickleball court repairs. Repairs to the drainage behind the clubhouse, tot lot and baseball field.

Response: Facilities Maintenance is working to secure a contractor to complete the demolition to the tennis and basketball courts in addition to repair the drainage. Once the drainage project is complete, Parks and Recreation will then come in and address adding new amenities to this site.

Question: The possibility of putting a dog park at the old fire station location on St Augustine South Drive.

Response: Parks and Recreation is currently completing all active projects before adding additional ones on our team. Additionally, we are in the process of hiring a Project Manager that will be able to assist with smaller projects such as the old fire station parcel. A dog park could very well be discussed, there were concerns brought up previously about how a dog park could impact the neighbors that live along the property line. These are all conversations that can be had once funding is allocated to the parcel to develop it.

Question: The presence of abandoned and derelict boats in the waterways around St. Augustine South. They are a really bad eyesore. And please do not give the same response that I have received from FWC numerous times: “The legal system is really slow”. What action will you take to remove these derelicts? 

Response: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJCSO) work on derelict boats. Both divisions must go through the proper legal system process in order to remove derelict vessels. The boats are private property and thus the government is unable able to remove them without the process coming to fruition. To staff’s knowledge, neither of the vessels below have met those guidelines to be eligible for removal at this time.

Question: As you know the erosion of the river bank has become almost to a critical point with trees falling in the river and (trees that were on solid ground when I moved her in 09 and are now anchored in the marsh. My area here is really bad. The county has an obligation to stabilized the bank before we have no more park (they refurbished others park banks) and it takes shore drive with it. Anyone on the board has that subject on the agenda? I have lots of photos that i can send you to get the commissioner attention. I’m sure you realize, a critical happening in our community, and county really need to address this situation. Pictures below. Lack of stabilization I’m afraid ,at the rates it’s going, will before we know it, result in another Vilano Beach beach street taken over.

Response: The County currently has a steering committee conducting a county wide vulnerability assessment. Parks and Recreation will work with the resiliency division of Growth Management that is overseeing the steering committee to add Shore Drive as a vulnerability.

Responses from St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Staff to comments and questions posed at the January 17, 2024 General Meeting.

Question/ Comment: I worry about how quickly the boat ramp in the first section, floods, in just a regular rain. I wonder about if we have a hurricane and how the area will do?

Response: The Doug Crane Boat Ramp project has not been closed out and work will be completed on the retention pond to alleviate some of the flooding. 

Question/ Comment: Why does the trail have to be so wide? 8' should be plenty wide.

Response: The trail is 8ft wide.

Question: Why don't we put sidewalks instead on our feeder roads going east to west?

Response: This is a request that would need to be submitted to SJC Road and Bridge to determine if there is enough Right of Way to allow for sidewalks along the feeder roads. 

Comment: Destroy natural beauty - too many trees will be cut down

Response: The construction plan does not call for any tree removal. Underbrush and invasive species clearing is within certain portions of the design.

Comment: There are areas along the trail that does not appear to be wide enough.

Response: There are two sections within the trail that are narrow and the width of the trail will be 6ft.+/- to account for these areas. 

Question: If community input is gotten for royal road park why isn't the same for ADA trail?

Response: There were two surveys published, a public meeting held at SASIA in 2023, and several SASIA meetings that staff attended to obtain community input on the trail over the last 2 1/2 years.

Comment: The new trail shows its going over the roots of trees and shows removing some. I would like to discuss the environmental impacts of the trail.

Response: The construction plan does not call for any tree removal. Underbrush and invasive species clearing is within certain portions of the design. There are tree protection details within the plans that the contractor must follow, these plans were approved by SJC Environmental Department during the Development Review period. 

Comment: City installing trees and plants to replace plants those lost with the hurricane

Response: The County can propose completing a shoreline study on the erosion of the marsh from past storms and tidal flooding, but this has not been funded at this time. 

Question: Where are the bathrooms?

Response: There are no planned restrooms along the trail, there are portalets at both Doug Crane and the Moultrie Boat Ramp to support the trail users. 

Question: Who covers ongoing maintenance?

Response: St. Johns County Parks and Recreation

Question: Will taxes base every change to support the cost?

Response: No, there is not an additional tax to maintain the trail.