Hogans Creek can be seen mendering through the urban landscape in the middle of this aerial.

Reflections on Hogans Creek

My wife and I are avid paddlers.  We have paddled most of the waterways of Central and North Central Florida, and none are any more beautiful then the "REAL" parts of Hogans Creek. Hogans is a National Treasure just waiting for someone to tend the garden.

Florida has a fantastic canoe heritage, being one of the first and last places on earth that the classic canoe was seen in daily life. IE: Isiah Harts Ferry at the "cow ford" was a simple canoe.,   The Seminole Tribe of Florida / State Park / Fresh Water - Fish and Game all still use canoes.

Even more important to buffs is that Jacksonville has a huge canoe club, and that Florida was the last place of residence of Gene Jensen, before his quiet - at home death on May 15, 1994. Gene was Henry Ford, Dale Earnhardt, Lewis and Clark of the paddle world. He retired to Inverness, but stayed active up until the end. There are some photos of his funeral procession (on the water of course) and his NASA-Like designs.
 
His high performance canoes were designed to effortlessly keep pace with small powered fishing boats! Amazing. I'm not sure Gene ever got to Hogans Creek, if he had, we wouldn't be trying to save it - it would be a DONE DEAL.  Hogans run is tiny, maybe a half mile, but to be encased in an urban jungle, it is an oasis of peace.  Have fun, let's make some folks get outdoors and bring about a SAVE OUR (TINY) Historic WATERWAY project.

Robert Mann

Photo Tour By Robert Mann

Additional Images of Hogans Creek

 



Examples of what Hogans Creek can become

Fort Wayne Rivergreenway

 The Rivergreenway Trail is a 20 mile long linear park in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Trail is along the banks of the St. Marys, St. Joseph and the Maumee Rivers. Much of the Rivergreenway has been funded by the State of Indiana and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Rivergreenway trail is your opportunity for recreation, fitness and conservation while getting away from it all but still being linked close to everything.

A linear park is a long, narrow park with limited access that is ideal for activities such as bicycling, hiking, nature study, jogging, rollerblading or just going for a leisurely walk. The Rivergreenway offers natural vistas and scenic overlooks within an urban environment. It creates a synergism between country and city settings that affords users the opportunity to enjoy the best of both. Additionally, it creates a natural overflow against the invasion of high water which helps mitigate the ravages of flooding.

The Rivergreenway Trail is owned and maintained by the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Fort Wayne Public Works Department.

http://www.fortwayneparks.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=52

Indianapolis Canal Walk

The Canal Walk located just west of downtown Indianapolis in the White River State Park is a feature attraction for all ages, and serves as a true connection between the serenity of the park and the bustle of the downtown area. One of the many features of the White River State park and the Canal District of the city, the Canal Walk serves as a recreational and entertainment experience for the people of the downtown Indianapolis area.

The canal features a three mile walkway alongside the remnants of the original Central Canal running from the White River Park, north to 11th Street. The original Central Canal was intended to be part of a large-scale commerce project envisioned to improve transportation and shipping methods throughout Indiana through a series of canals. Due to a lack of proper funding for the project, the Indianapolis portion of the canal was never connected with any additional canals in Indiana and was eventually acquired by the Indianapolis Water Company. The Water Company would use the canal for various power production activities until it was deeded to the city of Indianapolis in 1976.

1985 would bring a revitalization of the canal, with draining and rebuilding projects improving the usability of the defunct canal. The canal was lowered and rebuilt with concrete to support the bottom and banks of the canal. Once filled, the canal was declared ready for public use and renamed the “Indianapolis Canal Walk”.

The canal is now a vibrant area of the downtown scene and is a prime spot for jogging, walking, rollerblading, bicycling, and overall relaxation and enjoyment of the waterway.

http://indianapolis-indiana.funcityfinder.com/indianapolis-canal-walk/

San Antonio Riverwalk

The San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del Río) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath downtown San Antonio, Texas. Lined by bars, shops and restaurants, the River Walk is an important part of the city's urban fabric and a tourist attraction in its own right.

Today, the River Walk is an enormously successful special-case pedestrian street, one level down from the automobile street. The River Walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting the major tourist draws from the Alamo to Rivercenter mall, to the Arneson River Theatre close to La Villita, to Hemisfair Park, to the Tower Life Building. During the annual springtime Fiesta San Antonio, the River Parade features flowery floats that literally float.

http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/