Blending Rich Environmental Features with Cultural Significance
Beluthahatchee Park, a four-acre gem managed by St. Johns County Parks and Recreation, sits beside the 18-acre Beluthahatchee Lake, an artificial body of water formed when Mill Creek was impounded. Purchased by author and activist Stetson Kennedy in the 1940s, the land was platted in 1949 with a visionary goal: to create a sustainable community that preserved natural habitat while showing how humans and wildlife could coexist.
Drawing a Diverse Array of Bird Species
Once a creek near the St. Johns River, Beluthahatchee Lake now stretches between high bluffs, bordered by towering live oaks, southern magnolias, laurels, and pignut hickories. Remnants of trees from the old Mill Creek still resonate with the area's natural transformation. The lake and its surrounding woods attract a variety of birdlife, including herons, egrets, eagles, ducks, grackles, and ospreys, making it a haven for wildlife watchers and nature enthusiasts.
Welcoming Numerous Artists and Intellectuals
The park also stands as a tribute to Stetson Kennedy's legacy. A prolific author and fierce advocate for civil rights and environmental preservation, Kennedy began his writing career with Palmetto Country in 1942. He followed with Southern Exposure (1946), Jim Crow Guide (1956), and The Klan Unmasked (1957). In recognition of his contributions to social justice, he received the Gustavus Meyer Award in 1995 for his efforts to combat bigotry.
Folk legend Woody Guthrie spent time at the property, reportedly writing over 80 songs during his stay and completing his autobiography, Seeds of Man.
Acclaimed writer Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God, also found refuge and inspiration at Beluthahatchee, calling it "a place where all unpleasantness is forgiven and forgotten." In 2003, the site was recognized as a Literary Landmark, and Kennedy was granted a life estate in 2005.
Functioning as a Hub for Cultural Events
Today, Beluthahatchee Park offers visitors a peaceful retreat with nature trails, picnic pavilions, wildlife viewing areas, a canoe, and restrooms. The park also serves as a cultural venue, with outdoor events hosted by the park's department.
One regular highlight is Second Sundays at Stetson's, a monthly live acoustic music performance organized by Bob Patterson of the Lullaby of the Rivers Festival. It features both local and visiting artists.