Fort Matanzas National Monument

General Management Plan

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT - JULY, 2003

Dear Friends:

Much progress has been made on the GMP since our public meetings in August, 2002. In addition to receiving and analyzing your comments and suggestions, the Planning Team has examined the Monument's mission and significance statements, initiated consultations with several American Indian Tribes, and coordinated with city, state, and federal agencies.

Our next challenge is to develop a range of management zones and management concepts to guide future development. I look forward to sharing some of our ideas with you later this Fall.

Thanks again for your helpful ideas and suggestions.

Sincerely,

Gordie Wilson
Superintendent

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT - AUGUST, 2002

Dear Friends:

Thank you to everyone who mailed comments to us or attended one of the public open house meetings at St. Augustine Beach City Hall. We are in the process of analyzing and evaluating your input and will report back to you about what we heard in a newsletter this Fall.

I appreciate your interest in planning for the future of Fort Matanzas National Monument and hope that you'll continue to be involved in the planning process.

Sincerely,

Gordie Wilson
Superintendent

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT - MAY, 2002

Dear Friends:

For many of us, Fort Matanzas holds a special place in our lives. Each year thousands of people visit the site where Spanish troops massacred 127 shipwrecked Frenchmen sent to attack St. Augustine in 1564 and learn about the lonely lives of soldiers stationed at the small 1740's fort to protect the Castillo de San Marcos, some 14 miles away in St Augustine. The barrier island ecosystem of the National Monument also serves as home to many unique plant and animal species and its sandy beaches are a popular destination for local visitors.

Since the park opened in 1933, our staff has been privileged to tell the many stories of Fort Matanzas As we move into the 21st century, the National Park Service is initiating a major planning effort that will guide the future management of the National Monument. What should we be doing to ensure that the cultural and natural resources of the park are protected? What should we be doing to ensure that visitors continue to have a quality experience? What level and type of use are appropriate on the grounds? How can we work with our neighbors to address common problems that affect both the park and surrounding community? Tell us your ideas about these and other topics.

We invite and encourage you to participate in this planning process. Our goal is to develop a plan that will protect the cultural and natural resources of the park, meet the needs of our visitors, and address the concerns of our neighbors. To achieve this, we will work closely with the City of St. Augustine, St. Johns County, other federal and state agencies, private landowners, interest groups, and the general public. The general management plan that will be produced from this 2-year planning effort will be used to guide management decisions at the National Monument for the next 20 years.

You are invited to attend one of two public open house meetings at the St. Augustine Beach City Hall on May 29th and 30th from 3pm to 8pm. Open house meetings are informal information-sharing opportunities and no formal presentation will occur. Those wishing to attend the meetings are encouraged to drop-in anytime between 3pm and 8pm to share ideas, ask questions, and voice concerns about the future management of the National Monument. Your thoughts and ideas are vital to the success of the planning process.

We appreciate your interest and look forward to working with you as together we plan the future of Fort Matanzas National Monument.

Sincerely,

Gordie Wilson
Superintendent