F&N Article 12: Blueways

In November, all Martin County registered voters will get to decide if they want to vote YES on a half-cent sales tax referendum to buy land to protect water quality, natural areas and wildlife habitat.  The referendum is really all about preserving and enhancing our quality of life.  

In this column, we’ll dive into one of the targeted areas for purchase. It’s called the Blueways area. It’s about 400 acres of undeveloped waterfront land “in town,” along our coastline. These are lands that are a critical part of public access to beaches, boat ramps and pocket parks and at high risk of development.

So, imagine for a moment, this too common scenario in south Florida. It’s early morning in April, the spring dolphin run is the best it’s been in years and the Sailfish bite is still going strong. The baits are already rigged, tackle double checked and cooler loaded. It’s the first calm day in weeks and you’re trailering your boat to the ramp. Everything is gearing up for a great day on the water.

Then you see it. Trucks with clean boats still on the trailer are pulling out of the ramp lot. You’re too late. The lot’s already full. Adjusting your plans, you drive to another location only to find the same thing. The area boat ramps simply can’t handle the public demand.

But wait. We’re in Martin County! Where things are different. We’ve got free and improved boat ramp access at Sandsprit Park, Stuart Causeway, Shepard’s Park and more! Proper planning and foresight have ensured our day of offshore fishing actually happens! 

Not into fishing or boating? Let’s change the scenario to a beautiful beach day, where folks to the south of us have to pay for their beach access parking. But not in Martin County – where beach parking is free!  Again, we’re different here because of our planning and foresight and the high importance residents place on these recreational areas.

It’s easy to take public boat ramps and free beach access for granted when you live here. But this crucial public access is one of the many ways we describe the “Martin County Difference.” These conservation and public access efforts began decades ago and laid the groundwork for the quality of life we have today. Bu there is still more to do!

Martin County has a total of 20 beach areas and 17 boat ramps for vehicles and trailers, plus an additional 17 areas for people who want to carry their kayaks, paddleboards and small boats to the water.

As our community has grown and changed, preserving and conserving the remaining lands so they can be used for public access to the water is essential. If the referendum is approved by voters, we can leverage local revenues for grant funding to preserve more of these rare waterfront areas. 

Martin County is a very special place - and we want to keep it that way. The Blueways area is just one example of how locally raised conservation dollars can be used to preserve our land for the enjoyment of generations to come.

Now is the time to take action. Once these lands are gone they will be gone forever. 

If you’d like to dive into the details about the referendum and learn more about the initiative to educate voters visit our website at www.martincountyforever.com. Follow us on Facebook at Martin County Forever Facebook  or on Instagram at Martin County Forever Instagram.

Or send us an email at martincountyforever@gmail.com.