Enjoy Nature Hike or Bike Ride in Egans Greenway

Egans Greenway is a natural area of 300 acres on Amelia Island, managed by city of Fernandina. Native flora and fauna can be observed.

Banner year for Florida wildflowers. Rosegentian blooming in Egans Greenway, Amelia Island. (Photo AmeliaIslandLiving.com)
Wildflower, Rosegentian, blooming in Egans Greenway.

Egans Greenway is a natural area encompassing over 300 acres on Amelia Island, managed by the city of Fernandina Beach, Florida. Native flora and fauna can be observed in Egans Greenway. It’s a peaceful place to spend some quality time outdoors, and there’s seasonal variation of the landscape.

Grassy trails are perfect for a nature walk or a bike ride. It’s also one of the best spots on the island for birdwatching, especially for the larger wading birds such as herons, egrets, ibises and roseate spoonbills. Butterflies — monarchs, Gulf fritillary, and zebra longwings to name a few — love a variety of wildflowers in the Greenway, including white Spanish needle flowers and beautiful purple passion vine. The photo above is the lovely wildflower, rosegentian, blooming along a trail in Egans Greenway.

There are two sections of Egans Greenway. To enter the north section, go to the city of Fernandina’s Recreation Center, located at 2500 Atlantic Avenue (the main entrance to the Greenway is behind the building). This is the best place to park (plus there’s a public restroom at this Greenway entrance/exit). Also, trail maps are available at the Atlantic Recreation Center during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 am – 6 pm.

Also enter the Greenway (both the north section and south section) from Jasmine Street (between Citrona and South Fletcher Avenue). However, there’s limited parking along Jasmine near the entrances to the Greenway. Another Greenway entrance/exit of the south section is located on Sadler Road behind the Residence Inn hotel, where there are several Greenway designated parking spaces.

There are signs warning to beware gators and not to feed them. It’s fairly common to see alligators in Egans Creek (always stay on the trails and never enter the water). When visiting, it’s wise to bring bug repellent as mosquitoes sometimes swarm in the Greenway (more often during the warmer months and around dusk).

Find out lots more about the Greenway, guided tours offered by the Fernandina Rec Department, and watch an Egans Greenway video.