JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Boat docks at Metropolitan Park in downtown Jacksonville are out of use indefinitely after being washed out by high waters from Hurricane Irma.
The damage to the docks at Metro Park is a big disadvantage for the public.
Jacksonville Fire Rescue Marine Engineer Stephen Brown said when he came in to work the day Irma hit, he found water sloshing against the marine unit’s dock and damage coming from the docks at Metro Park.
"A lot of the debris from the hard docks was broken loose and was drifting all around our floating docks and what not," Brown told News4Jax on Friday.
The JFRD Marine Unit said all of the water washed up from the storm, filling the park and wiping out the docks at Metro Park -- a place known for fishing and for boaters to tailgate before Jaguars games and concerts.
“It’s definitely going to put a hurt on the boaters that like to come out here to do the tailgating via water," Brown said.
He's hoping the docks can be fixed soon.
“I’m hoping that somebody will put together some money to have them rebuilt," Brown said. "It’s always a great day for gamedays and everybody seems to enjoy the marina and has some good times.”
News4Jax reached out to the city to find out what the plans are for fixing the docks, but hasn't heard back yet.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also reminded recreational boaters not to go out on the St. Johns River because it's just too dangerous right now with all the debris.