In today's Digest:
🏗️ Grand Oaks' 512-home plan heads to an Oct. 20 county hearing.
💰 St. Johns County adopted a $1.9 billion budget with a flat property tax rate.
📚 County libraries have dropped Sunday hours and raised some overdue fines.
🦪 The Wharf is taking shape at the old Santa Maria waterfront site.
🛝 Lighthouse Park is open again with a rebuilt, accessible playground.
🌴 Grass-hut tables above Salt Run
At 57 Comares Avenue on Anastasia Island, The Conch House Restaurant serves Southern coastal seafood at the marina overlooking Salt Run. Its 2026 menu includes Minorcan conch chowder, local gator tail, and fried shrimp.
You can eat in one of the grass huts raised over the water, on the open deck, or under the covered patio with a view of Salt Run. Seating is walk-up only; the restaurant takes no reservations.
Read more here.
🏗️ Grand Oaks road deal faces another county hearing
The Gist: Pulte wants to build 512 more homes at Grand Oaks along State Road 16 in St. Johns County. The proposed agreement would provide $20 million for transportation improvements; at Tuesday’s hearing, county transportation staff estimated roadway changes to accommodate the development could cost $80 million to $90 million.
Why It Matters: County commissioners must decide whether Pulte’s proposed payment provides enough transportation funding to address the additional traffic from the homes.
What's Next: County commissioners are scheduled to hold a second public hearing October 20.
Read more here.
💰 County adopts $1.9 billion budget, keeps tax rate flat
The Gist: St. Johns County commissioners adopted a $1.9 billion fiscal 2027 budget with the same property tax rate as last year. It includes more than $264 million in new capital project funding and about $126.3 million in utility borrowing.
Why It Matters: The plan pays for roads, parks, libraries and fire stations, while a statewide property tax amendment could reduce future county revenue.
What's Next: Voters decide on Amendment 3 in the November 3 general election.
Read more here.
📚 St. Johns libraries close Sundays, change fees
The Gist: St. Johns County libraries stopped Sunday service October 4 and adjusted some evening hours. New fees took effect October 1; overdue fines for books and other standard items are now 35 cents a day, capped at $10 per item.
Why It Matters: Families who used Sunday hours need to plan visits Monday through Saturday. Book drops and digital materials remain available on Sundays.
Read more here.
🦪 The Wharf aims to open at the former Santa Maria site
The Gist: River Restaurant Group plans to open The Wharf at 135 Avenida Menendez, where the Santa Maria restaurant once stood. Co-owner Jeff McCusker says the new bayfront restaurant will focus on seafood; the group also runs River & Fort and SAINT in St. Augustine.
Why It Matters: The project would bring dining back to a long-shuttered site on the Matanzas River waterfront.
What's Next: McCusker says the group hopes to open before the end of 2026.
Read more here.
🛝 Lighthouse Park reopens with accessible playground
The Gist: St. Augustine reopened Lighthouse Park to the public September 21 and marked the completed renovation October 2. At 440 Ocean Vista Drive, the park now has ADA-compliant playground equipment, new sidewalks, a water fountain, handrails and fresh landscaping.
Why It Matters: Families on Anastasia Island have their neighborhood playground back, with equipment and paths designed for wider access.
Read more here.
🦀 GTM Research Reserve: Family Seining | GTM Research Reserve, Guana Dam Recreational Area | Ponte Vedra Beach | Saturday, October 10, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. | More
Seine Guana Lake with a naturalist; advance registration is required.
🌱 Fall Plant Sale | St. Johns Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve | Hastings | Saturday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | More
Walk garden trails, shop plants, and catch the Wild Wonders animal show.
🇬🇷 St. Augustine Greek Festival | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church | St. Augustine | Saturday, October 10, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 11, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | More
Try Greek food and pastries, watch folk dancing, and browse the market.
🏄 SurfQuest Beach Days | Mary Street Boat Ramp | Crescent Beach | Saturday, October 10, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. | More
Volunteers offer free adaptive surfing and water recreation for people with disabilities.
🎨 One Day, Fun Day Art Camp | Lightner Museum | St. Augustine | Monday, October 12, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | More
Kids ages 6 to 10 paint and sculpt; pack lunch and a snack.
🎸 Tedeschi Trucks Band | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Friday and Saturday, October 9 and 10, 7:00 p.m. | More
Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks bring their 12-piece blues-rock band.
🎻 Jacksonville Symphony | Lewis Auditorium | St. Augustine | Saturday, October 10, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. | More
EMMA opens its season with orchestral music; student tickets are $5.
🪕 The Avett Brothers | St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | Sunday, October 11, 6:30 p.m. | More
Hear the band's folk, bluegrass, and Americana set; doors open at 5:00 p.m.
👻 The 13th Annual Dark and Stormy Night | Limelight Theatre | St. Augustine | Wednesday, October 14, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. | More
Tale Tellers of St. Augustine share new eerie stories, folktales, and local history.
🎵 Music in the Garden | Lightner Museum, Radzinski Family Garden | St. Augustine | Thursday, October 15, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. | More
St. Augustine Bluegrass Unit plays free; bring a chair.
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