Thank you for registering for the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners District 4 newsletter. Inside you will find an update regarding projects and events in District 4 and timely information about St. Johns County programs, services, and initiatives.
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St. Johns County Named Healthiest County in Florida for Fifth Consecutive Year
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 For the fifth year in a row, St. Johns County is named the healthiest county in Florida by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. St. Johns County ranks number one in Florida in Health Outcomes, measures of today's health, and number one in Health Factors, measures of tomorrow's health, in the organization's sixth annual County Health Rankings and Roadmaps Report. Community health factors considered in the report include physical environment, social and economic factors, health behaviors, and clinical care. For additional information or to read the report, please visit www.rwjf.org. To review data utilized to rank the counties, please visit the Florida Department of Health's website at www.floridacharts.com.
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Volunteer Opportunities with St. Johns County Boards and Committees
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The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners provides residents who have an interest in participating in their local government with a variety of board and commission opportunities. Depending on the board or commission, the volunteer positions consider and make recommendations regarding a myriad of topics including planning and zoning issues, development projects, the library, parks and recreation facilities and programs, and arts, culture, and tourism matters. Please visit the Boards and Commission Webpage to view an updated list of board and commission vacancies and download an application, or contact the Board of County Commissioners office at 904.209.0300 or mlundquist@sjcfl.us for more information.
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"St. Johns County Today" Radio Show on 103.9FM
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 St. Johns County has partnered with WSOS 103.9 FM/1170 AM to host St. Johns County Today, an informational and educational radio show broadcast from 12 to 1 p.m. every Thursday. Co-hosted by Michael Ryan, St. Johns County Director of Communications, and WSOS's Kevin Geddings and Rand Middleton, the show covers a variety of topics related to St. Johns County ranging from public safety, fire rescue, public works and road projects to economic development, tourism, arts and culture, parks and recreation, and the beaches. Sponsored by Ameris Bank, St. Johns County Today also features community organizations that partner with the County to provide programs and services to the community including social service agencies, educational institutions, and other governmental agencies. Listeners are encouraged to submit questions in advance or during the show by visiting the WSOS Facebook page or emailing them directly to kevin@staugustineradio.com. For additional information regarding the St. Johns County Today Radio show, please call 904.209.0549.
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Health and Human Services Foster Parent Orientation and Training
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Residents who would like to help St. Johns County's children and families by becoming a foster parent, adopting a special needs youth or teen, or helping in other ways are encouraged to attend the upcoming St. Johns County Family Integrity Program (FIP) orientation session and pre-service training classes.
For those interested in learning more about current foster care needs and how they can help, the FIP orientation session is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 2 in the Kingfisher Conference Room at the St. Johns County Health and Human Services building, 200 San Sebastian View. Foster parent pre-service classes will be hosted at the same location from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every Monday from May 9 to July 18. These interactive classes will offer participants a variety of educational material delivered through an engaging and challenging format that includes immersive experiences with many child welfare professional experts presenting on all aspects of the system of care.
To RSVP for the FIP orientation session or pre-service training classes, or to request a brochure, please contact Joyce Meyerpeter at 904.209.6131. For more information on the FIP program, please visit www.sjcfl.us/fip.
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Reach Your St. Johns County Beaches this Summer
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 St. Johns County Beach Services wants you to "know before you go" by offering a variety of ways to enhance your beach day experience. St. Johns County residents and visitors can view current beach access updates and service information through the Reach the Beach program. iPhone, iPad, and Android users can download the Reach the Beach icon to access the mobile website directly from their application screen. St. Johns County Beach information can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
* Vehicular beach access is subject to current weather and tide conditions and may be restricted to four wheel drive vehicles without notice in order to ensure a safe experience for all beach visitors.
* It is illegal to possess fireworks, consume alcohol, or create an open fire on a St. Johns County beach.
* The St. Johns County Fishing Pier offers chair and umbrella rentals, beach and fishing supplies, and a variety of snacks and refreshments. For more information on the Pier, please call 904.209.0326.
* A limited number of beach wheelchairs are available for reservation free of charge by calling 904.209.0752.
For more information on beach access conditions and beach services, please call the Beaches Hotline at 904.209.0331.
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Bartram Bash and Earth Day Celebration
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 St. Johns County Parks and Recreation is hosting the 12th Annual Bartram Bash and Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 at Alpine Groves Park, 2060 SR 13. This family friendly, environmentally-themed event was created to honor the birthday of William Bartram, the first American-born Naturalist. The event will include guest speakers, food trucks, multiple booths from local environmental groups, and musical performances by This Frontier Needs Heroes, Marcellus Hall, and Flagship Romance. Bring a blanket or camp chairs to enjoy the fun, food, and fresh air. For more information, please call 904.209.0335.
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New Video Series Highlights St. Johns County Employees
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St. Johns County recently launched a new video series entitled "St. Johns County Works" that highlights the services and programs provided by various departments and the employees who provide dedicated service to the community. The first episode, featuring members of the Water Treatment Division and their work to provide clean and safe drinking water to the residents of St. Johns County, can be viewed on St. Johns County's YouTube Channel. Future episodes will be available on GTV, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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Beach Recycling Made Easy
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 St. Johns County Beach Services, with the help of local and out-of-state volunteers, recently updated all recycling bins located along St. Johns County beaches. With this standardized update, beach-goers will be able to identify recycling bins and trash cans more easily, thus improving the County's effort to promote recycling. Labels and bin colors were adopted according to standards set by Recycle Across America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing confusion at the bin.
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2016 Just Tri It! Kids Triathlon
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 Children ages 5 through 14 are invited to join the fun and participate in the 2016 St. Johns County Just Tri It! Kids Triathlon, scheduled for 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 15 at the Solomon Calhoun Center, 1300 Duval Street. The non-competitive event provides everyone with the chance to participate in a triathlon and Just Tri It! The first 250 children to pick up race packets will receive a Just Tri It! T-shirt, and every child that completes the race will get a medal for their accomplishment.
Registration forms are available online at www.sjcfl.us/Recreation/Youth/JustTriIt.aspx and can be delivered during standard business hours or mailed to the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department, 2175 Mizell Road. The general registration fee, available between April 1 and May 6, is $30 per entry and $15 for each additional child from the same family. Late registration is available May 7 through 3 p.m. on May 14 for $40, and an additional $20 for each child from the same family. Registration is not available on the day of the event. Necessary equipment includes bike helmets, swim goggles, sun screen, and any other accessories your child may need during the race. Training wheels on bikes will not be required.
The event will also include a Tot Trot for children ages 5 and under. This free event will have open registration available from 11 to 3 p.m. on May 14 and 7 to 8 a.m. on race day, May 15, at the Solomon Calhoun Center. Early packet pickup for the Triathlon is 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday, May 14, at the Solomon Calhoun Center. Registration fees help cover the cost of t-shirts, medals, and event materials, and are non-refundable. For more information, including race distances, eligibility, the race schedules, a course map, and directions, please visit www.sjcfl.us/Recreation/Youth/JustTriIt.aspx or contact St. Johns County Recreation and Parks at 904.209.0377 or jbaccari@sjcfl.us.
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Nease Beachfront Park House Environmental Education Days
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St. Johns County Parks and Recreation and the St. Johns County Environmental Division will host a series of Environmental Education Days from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Nease Beachfront Park, 3171 Coastal Highway, on the following dates: April 16, May 7, June 15, and July 13. These free workshops are open to the public and all ages are welcome. Throughout the park and the historic Nease House, County staff will provide information and interactive activities on a variety of topics including native plant identification, right whale and sea turtle conservation, animal tracking, dune habitats, as well as wetland and coastal marsh habitats. For more information, please call 904.209.0323.
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St. Johns County Memorial Day Hours
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All departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Administrative offices, library branches, and the Pet Center will be closed Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day. All offices and branches will resume standard business hours on Tuesday, May 31.
Garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection schedules will not be delayed. The Tillman Ridge and Stratton Road solid waste scale houses will remain open on the holiday during standard business hours.
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