Jones' Pier Conservation Area

Previously completed improvements include reconstruction of the Historic Fruit Stand, completion of a living shoreline along the Lagoon, reconstruction of the dock and overlook, and repairs to the Cottage and Jones House after Hurricane Matthew flooding which restored both to pre-storm condition. The Cottage has been converted to a Student/Volunteer “Wet Lab” complete with a small lab kitchen, work space, meeting space, and storage. Currently, the larger project’s public use improvements are being finalized by the contractor and are undergoing final site inspections and approval by the County, Engineers/Architect of Record, and other permitting agencies. The saltmarsh wetland plantings are being augmented and the wetland is now connected to the Indian River Lagoon as designed with the screw pump. Some in situ modifications will be completed in the next 30-60 days to include a weir structure at the outfall and sumps at each of the culvert openings to assist with removing sedimentation before the waters enter the saltmarsh wetland. The screw pump has been running for approximately 6 months acclimating the new plantings and converting the freshwater (groundwater/rainwater from construction) to the brackish water associated with the Lagoon. Approximately 10,000 native plants have been installed by contractors, staff, and volunteers throughout the property. Pricing for site access control fencing and other safety fencing is currently being obtained and will be installed as soon as possible. Educational signage is being developed in house and a local artist has been hired to complete educational renderings of the wetland and other site amenities for educational purposes. Staff is currently working with Indian River State College and other schools/agencies to conduct baseline sampling in the wetland and have been conducting educational programming on-site with students. Staff has also met with various groups to determine feasibility of a native plant nursery and community garden as shown on the site plan. As the larger site development is being completed by the contractor, County staff initiated the bid process for the elevation of the Jones House and will be finalizing the interpretive center design and renovation plans for the exterior/interior of the Jones House to be scheduled after the elevation work has been completed. Prior to opening, site amenities including picnic tables, benches, bicycle racks, and educational signage will be installed in preparation for opening the site to the public.

To date, just over $2M has been spent on the project with an additional $1.3M budgeted in the Capital Improvement Element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan.

Public use enhancements began in 2015 with the restoration of the docks with funding assistance from a Florida Inland Navigation District Grant. The Jones House and Cottage were flooded and experienced extensive water damage that was subsequently repaired after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 which prompted restoration work on the two buildings and initiated the priority for public use improvements to the site. Overall site design and engineering began in 2017. The construction contract for public use improvements and saltmarsh wetland was awarded in January 2020 and is expected to be complete in the next 60 days. Design and engineering associated with the elevation and renovation of the Jones House began in 2019. Design for elevation is complete and the project is currently undergoing the competitive bid process. Elevation of the Jones House is expected to be completed in 3-6 months with the interior renovations complete within 12 months (after elevation).

The Jones Pier Conservation Area (JPCA) is part of the rich history of late 19th century/early 20th century settlement in Indian River County. In 1889, Seaborn Jones and his family homesteaded 160 acres on Orchid Island. Mr. Jones and his neighbors built the “Orchid-Narrows Road” which is now known as Jungle Trail (listed in 2003 on the National Register of Historic Places). The Jones family tendered crops of beans and tomatoes on the property while their citrus groves were developing. The now famous Indian River Citrus originated from the labors of these early settlers. In 1907, Mr. Jones built a dock to aid in commerce along the Indian River. The Indian River and Jones’ dock was featured in the movie “There Goes the Bride,” and have become picturesque reminders of “Old Florida” in numerous magazines. The 16-acre JPCA that was purchased by the County in 2011 (including the dock) is part of this original homestead.

The County acquired the site from the Jones’ family with assistance from the Florida Communities Trust. As part of the purchase, the County committed to implementing a management plan for the site that restores ecological value, while at the same time utilizes the site for public access and display of educational and historical exhibits. The project objectives are summarized as follows:

• To provide for passive recreation for the public including walking trails and wetland viewing;
• To restore and create wetlands and uplands on the site to provide ecological benefits;
• To convert the existing land use to provide additional treatment of stormwater runoff prior to discharge into the Indian River Lagoon;
• To use Lagoon waters for base flow through the created wetlands.
• To provide refuge for wildlife, including protected species;
• To design and implement the long-term management of the site to address resiliency and sustainability issues;
• To convert the existing land use to remove a source of exotic vegetative species; and,
• To provide a comprehensive public education program that emphasizes conservation and sustainability, as well as the importance of public participation.

The overall site improvements are approximately 75% complete and the detail for each part of the project is as follows:

• Reconstruction of Docks – 100%
• Living Shoreline Improvements – 100%
• Parking, Restroom/Pavilion, 1-mile loop trail – 95%
• Saltmarsh Wetland – 90%
• Renovation of Cottage for Volunteer/Student Wet Lab – 90%
• Procurement (including design) and installation of site amenities, education signage, fencing/site control access (exterior only) – 15%
• Elevation and Renovation of Home (including interior exhibits) – 0%
• Future plans include a native plant nursery and community garden which are not currently funded/designed.

At this time an opening date has not been set and largely depends on a number of factors including the completion of the current construction contract and the pending bid for the elevation of the Historic Jones home.

Yes, the date has not yet been determined, but will be scheduled shortly after the elevation of the Jones House. A second ribbon cutting will be scheduled with the Jones House conversion to the Interpretive Center once completed.