Happy Friday & Happy National Recycle Day!
I figured that since I’m getting a late start today, I would honor the National Recycle Day by recycling one of my old posts! This one covers about 3 years of work that went into building a new “Natural Area” in the West Palm Beach intracoastal Waterway!
This project has been in the works for many years, and came with plenty of controversy as well as a lot of hard work. But the completed project speaks for itself. It’s beautiful!
The South Cove Natural Area
The West Palm Beach South Cove Natural Area is a project by the Palm Beach County to provide habitat and improve water quality of the intracoastal between Flagler Bridge and Royal Park Bridge.
![20121005_074623](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/20121005_074623-600x207.jpg)
![](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/20121005_075207-600x144.jpg)
![](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/20121005_075408-001-600x119.jpg)
The 3-year project has multiple focuses
- The South Cove Natural Area is designated as a high-priority restoration project in the Lake Worth Lagoon Management Plan.
- This project will create critical shallow water habitat important to local fisheries, wading and shorebirds, manatees, and sea turtles.
- Fill anoxic (lacking-oxygen) dredged hole with approximately 100,000 cubic yards of fill to create three intertidal mangrove/spartina islands.
- Improve water qualityand water clarity by capping muck sediments.
- Create 2 acres of mangrove and spartina habitat, 3.5 acres of potential seagrass habitat, and 0.9 acres of rock revetment/oyster reef. These habitats provides filtration capabilities and improve water quality through stabilization of the sediments.
- Construct a 556-foot elevated boardwalk, 16’ x 16’ observation deck and educational kiosk for public use.
Watch a video from the end of the boardwalk.
Building the West Palm Beach South Cove Natural Area
![IMG_20120510_081744](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20120510_081744-600x448.jpg)
During the planning phase, the islands were outlined with markers. This is how the intracoastal looked from 2009 – 2010.
![](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG00406-20100727-0808-600x450.jpg)
In July of 2010 work started in earnest to build up the South Cove Natural Area. The dredged hole required approximately 100,000 cubic yards of soil to fill.
![IMG00166-20101011-1807](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG00166-20101011-18071-600x450.jpg)
After a year of filling up the dredged holes, in July of 2011 the islands popped up above the waterline
![](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20110607_175849-600x448.jpg)
Due to the intratidal nature of the islands they were constructed so that the highest point was just below the high-tide line. During low tides most of the island is visible.
The structures to support the 556 Ft. boardwalk get installed.
![](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20111116_082052-600x448.jpg)
![](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20111117_082420-600x448.jpg)
First concrete pylons go in for the Boardwalk
Rocks are piled onto the islands
![IMG_20120109_082805](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20120109_082805-600x448.jpg)
Pilons are cut down to size
Workers were creative when getting onto the pylons
![](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20120112_0824001-600x429.jpg)
Planks go in to make up the Boardwalk
![IMG_20120125_081525](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20120125_0815251-600x448.jpg)
During this time part of the Flagler walkway was blocked off and redone.
![IMG_20120109_082551](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_20120109_082551-600x448.jpg)
South Cove Natural Area Broadwalk stretches out into the intracoastal
By May 2012 the islands were complete
Mangroves get planted – State Rep. Mark Pafford helps out.
![](http://www.aguyonclematis.com/wp-content/uploads/wpid-20121018_122756.jpg)
Things are almost done
Sign is up! The South Cove Natural Area is almost done!
Taking my first walk down the boardwalk
We get a brand new view of our downtown from the South Cove Natural Area Broadwalk
This blog entry is day 15 of my 30-Day blogging challenge where I have committed to post a blog every day.
Please read the previous blog entries in this series:
Day 14: Startup Weekend and West Palm Beach as a Technology Hub
Day 13: Dreyfoos in White is Tonight – Location will be announced at 5pm
Day 12: Inside the Palm Healthcare Foundation in Downtown West Palm Beach on Diabetes Week
Day 11: Honoring our Veterans on Clematis Street – the West Palm Beach Parade!
Day 10: Muses & Visionaries – M&V Magazine & a short chat with Roy Assad
Day 9: What does diversity mean to you? WebMonday & bringing everyone in!
Day 8: Weekend is almost here – Fun things to do in West Palm Beach
Day 7: J. Flynn opening on Clematis – this is an Irish Gastropub, it’s all about the food.
Day 6: Why every small business owner should read the Costco Connection
Day 5: Bee Organics – The new organic café and “lifestyle space” in Downtown West Palm Beach
Day 4: Introducing BarCamp Palm Beach – Monday the 18th of November
Day 3: My top 5 Beaches in Palm Beach County
Day 2: City of West Palm Beach Chili Cookoff
Day 1: It’s November, and I’m Starting the 30-Day Blogging Challenge!