GREEN COVE SPRINGS – County officials greeted the return of Camp Chowenwaw’s pier and a new kayak launch Tuesday morning with a ribbon cutting.

Back-to-back years of hurricane damage throttled the “Jungle Trail.” Uprooted trees are still visible from the 780-foot boardwalk.

The county acquired a $276,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant for the boardwalk and pier. Construction began in January and finished in June.

County Director of Facility Operations and Maintenance James Householder said storms would tilt the old pier, reminding him of a funhouse attraction.

“Hurricane Matthew came along, and I can’t say how many trees came through the railing and busted it up. We cleared a lot of that debris off and opened it for a time,” Householder said. “Then (Hurricane) Irma came along and the tidal surges pretty much tore the end of it off. So, there was no more holding out, (repairs) had to be done.”

He called the funds to repair the pier and open the kayak launch a godsend. After the hurricanes, most of the county’s hurricane money was tied up in areas other than recreation.

“This project is all about getting access to water,” Householder said of the kayak launch.

The county received a $22,000 FRDAP grant for the kayak launch.

BCC Chairman Mike Cella said it was a welcome sight to see people already using the pier. He read an email from a concerned 11-year-old girl, who loved to fish and see the wildlife.

Camp Chowenwaw was a Girl Scouts camp, founded in 1933. The county bought the land 13 years ago. The Jungle Trail was an original feature of the camp.

“We’re excited once again that it’s open for the enjoyment of our citizens,” Cella said. “It’s stronger and more beautiful than ever. The kayak launch also gives people an up close view of how beautiful Black Creek really is.”

Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, was last to address the crowd of 25. He joked he would miss the old pier because it was a barometer of how bad a storm was the night before.

Clay County has more than 200,000 residents and is one of the fastest growing counties in the state, Bradley said, and Camp Chowenwaw was a draw that must be maintained and protected.

“We have to redouble our commitment to make sure, as more people come here, that we preserve beautiful places like this,” Bradley said. “We have a responsibility to these places and future generations.”