A petition to rename a coastalOrmond-by-the-Sea state park after late oilman-turned-environmentalistReid Hughes won the backing of the Volusia County Council on Tuesday.
Clay Henderson, aformer county councilmemberand longtime environmentalistspearheading the effort, called Hughes "a true champion of conservation" in Florida.
Hughes made his fortune owning gas stations and developing realestate. Hefounded Hughes Oil Co., growing deeply involved in environmental causes before its sale in 1987. Heplayed a critical role decades ago in pushing for land acquisitions to establish the Volusia Conservation Corridor, Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve and the three state parks along the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail.
Hughes served on the boards of Florida Audubon, the National Audubon Society,St. Johns River Water Management District, the Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Everglades Foundation and more. He was a member of the first Volusia Forever Advisory Committee.
He died in Julyat home in Port Orange surrounded by family. Hughes was94.
Pat Northey, former countycouncilwoman and chair of the ECHO Volusia Forever Alliance, got local leaders on board with aresolution supporting the name change.
"The resolution from the county was really critical. That really sends a simple and important message that we want to honor this guy," she said.
"He always stepped up to the plate and put his money where his mouth was, but more than that, worked where it was needed to help this county," Councilman Ben Johnson said prior to the unanimous vote. "I think this is a small token."
Northey said there's another way local environmentalists wish to recognize Hughes— by honoring a nearly 15-year-old promise to build a nature center in his name in the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve. A dedication was held in 2007 for the Reid B. Hughes Environmental Center, but the project was never finished.
Northey said the preserve's 10-year-review was taking place next year and she intended to make a request, "with the blessings of the rest of the environmental community," to build an outdoor classroom for use by schoolchildren, scouting organizations, master naturalists, the Boys and Girls Cluband others.
"It is ourrecommendation that we look at doing an outdoor environmental learning center, perhaps along the banks of the river or someplace that the staffdetermines to be appropriate. That outdoor learning center should be named after Reid," she said.
Park was bought in 1980s thanks to Hughes' advocacy
Henderson wrote to the director of the Florida Park Service two weeks after Hughes died to petition for the name change, recounting hisconnection to the three state parks that protect more than 10,000 acres along the Ormond Loop: Tomoka, Bulow Creek and North Peninsula.
"While Tomoka State Park is one of the state’s oldest parks, the additions of the other two would not have been possible without local involvement, leadership, and financial resources. Reid Hughes was an important part of that effort," Henderson wrote.
Henderson said limiting the development of neighboringHalifax Plantationin the late 1970s was Hughes' introduction to becoming a conservation advocate.
The state began buying the coastal land that would later form the 557-acre North Peninsula State Parkin 1984, according the Florida Department of Environmental Protection,and a trail was cleared by volunteers in 2005.
"Both the Tomoka and Bulow names are historic and should not be touched. On the other hand the name 'North Peninsula' is merely a handy reference to a local area without any specific historic significance," Henderson wrote.
The state Acquisition and Restoration Council is expected to vote on the matter during its December meeting.
Florida Park Service Director Eric Draper was executive director of Florida Audubon in 2015 when Hughes donated a 200-acre marsh in Nassau County to the group, which in turn named it the "Reid Hughes Marsh Sanctuary."
Hughes was asked by a reporter from The News-Journal how he felt about them naming the preserve after him.
"Naturally, it’s OK by me," he said with a chuckle. "I’m appreciative."
What's North Peninsula State Park like?
North Peninsula State Park is located along theGreat Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Sea turtlesnest on its beaches in the summer months and it's considered critical habitat for the manatee,North Atlantic right whale, and Florida scrub jay. Visitors have spotted indigo snakesand gopher tortoises, both threatened species in Florida.
Migratory and native shorebirds are a common sight, and Florida State Parks recommends viewing from these spots:
- Smith Creek Landing:This spot is in the salt marsh, offering an unobstructed view of the Intracoastal not far from the parking area. Expect to see a variety of herons wading through the shallowsand osprey dipping down from the skies to fish for prey.
- Coastal Strand Hiking Trail:This 2.5-mile hiking trail takes off from Smith Creek Landing. Migrating birds rely on the forests for food and shelter. Birders mayspot songbirds, woodpeckers, hawks, cardinals and more.
- Beachside parking off A1A:This sandy spot is ideal for viewing brown pelicans, northern gannets, snowy egrets,terns, gulls and more. Parking is 4 miles south of Flagler Beach.
A restoration project began in 2010 to recreate a more natural tidal marsh, an ecosystem that helps filter pollutants from water and limit flood damage.When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began digging out the Intracoastal Waterway in the 1930s, they drastically alteredthe salt marsh lining what was then a skinny creek.
About 100 acres of dredged spoil has been since returned to the shores, oyster mats were laid out, plugs ofcordgrass were planted,and invasive plants like Brazilian pepper trees were cleared out.
The park is open 8 a.m. to sundown every day of the year. It's free and located at 40 Highbridge Road in Ormond-by-the-Sea.
For bikers taking a spin on the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail, the park has a bicycle maintenance stationwith an abundance of tools.
