City of AB to honor the 'Dutton Island 5' March 11

By Press release submission

Feb 24, 2022

City of Atlantic Beach recently issued the following announcement.

The City is holding a public, informal dedication event at Dutton Island Preserve on March 11th at 5:30 pm. We plan to tell a story about people and preservation in Atlantic Beach. If you love the fact that most of the marshside has been preserved, you will love this story!

Background:

The 40 acre Dutton Island Preserve, formerly known as Pine Island, was owned by Walter “Wally” E. Dutton before he sold it to the City of Atlantic Beach to be used as a natural preserve in 1998. Prior to the sale, Dutton Island was slated for the development of single family homes that threatened its natural beauty. The pending development prompted several organizations, administrations, and citizens to begin efforts to preserve the island.

Although the island was located within the City of Jacksonville’s jurisdiction at the time, Atlantic Beach Mayor Lyman Fletcher contacted Mr. Dutton in 1994 to discuss the possibility of the City of Atlantic Beach acquiring the island, and they formed a strong bond. Relationships matter!

For the next four years, the City of Atlantic Beach, the City of Jacksonville, the Florida Communities Trust, and numerous other dedicated organizations and citizens worked to preserve Dutton Island. This also included the Environmental Lands Selection Committee and JAXPORT. Along with Mayor Fletcher and Mr. Dutton, most prominent leaders were COJ Mayor John Delaney, Mayor Suzanne Shaughnessy, and realtor Tom Dumas. Hence the "Dutton Island Five".

The City of Atlantic Beach’s portion of the island was purchased using Florida Barge Canal funds with NO Atlantic Beach tax money being used. Although he passed away before the sale, Mr. Dutton directed that all proceeds be donated to the Shriners Childrens Hospital.

The Preserve was opened to the public twenty years ago in 2002. It is a true gem among the many natural jewels in our City.

Hope many of you will join us to hear this great story, to listen to some great music, and to raise a glass to preservation! Oh, to boot, we'll have music by Lonesome Town -- Terry Whitehead, Matt Soergel and Tamara Colonna!