Construction crews are building an elevated boardwalk and educational pavilion at Moccasin Slough Park on Fleming Island, opening wetland areas along the St. Johns River to residents.

Clay County Parks and Recreation Director Justin Pierce told Clay Today that the $1.4 million project will be a "drastic addition" to the park at 4393 Raggedy Point Road. The full plan calls for a 6,800-square-foot elevated boardwalk, an observation tower, three overlook platforms and a Nature Center.

Phase 1 began construction in April and includes 2,690 square feet of boardwalk and an educational pavilion. That phase is scheduled for completion in 2027.

Park's current amenities and history

The new boardwalk marks a significant change for the park, which opened in 2010 and currently offers a paved walking trail, playground, pavilion and exercise stations. Pierce said the new boardwalk will let "visitors ... experience nature, exercise and bird-watching in areas that were previously inaccessible."

State funding and future construction phases

The project received state money through a combination of direct appropriations and the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP). Design and permitting began in late 2022.

A state funding request filed Feb. 20, 2025, by state Sen. Jennifer Bradley shows the project received $1.5 million in state funds during the 2024-25 fiscal year. Bradley's request sought an additional $750,000 for fiscal year 2025-26, listing total project costs at $2.45 million. Whether the Legislature approved that second request is not clear from available records.

Pierce said future phases, including additional boardwalk sections and the observation tower, will be built as funding becomes available.

Clay County Parks and Recreation asked visitors on Facebook to stay clear of the construction zone but noted the rest of the park remains open during dawn-to-dusk hours.

What's ahead for the project's completion

Phase 1 completion is targeted for 2027. Whether the observation tower and remaining boardwalk sections follow on that timeline depends on whether the additional $750,000 in state funding comes through.