County commissioners Ben Rich and Cyndi Stevenson (center left and right) unveil
the new names of County Roads 223 and 244 as Longleaf Pine and Veterans parkways.
By TERRY BROWN
terry.brown@mystjohnssun.com
More than a dozen veterans withstood the rising mid-day heat Wednesday to help proudly unveil
two of St. Johns County’s newest roadways — Longleaf Pine and Veterans parkways.
The northwest St. Johns County roads were officially renamed after the County Commission enlisted a citizens committee to recommend names that were representative of the area.
The roads connect County Road 210 with Race Track Road. Longleaf Pine Parkway North is also known as County Road 244, and it runs west from Russell Sampson Road to Greenbriar Road near Roberts Road. Longleaf Pine Parkway South is under construction at Bartram Trail High School and eventually will connect 244 from Greenbriar to the southern end of County Road 210 and Florida 16A.
Veterans Parkway is also County Road 223. When finished it also will connect Race Track Road to County Road 210.
Veteran’s Council member Ed Taylor was on hand for the ceremony and said there were more than 18,000 veterans living in the county. Taylor said he appreciated the naming of the roadway to honor the county’s service members. He was especially proud of the veterans who attended the ceremony because they represented many leaders from the various veteran’s groups located throughout the county.
Commission Chair Ben Rich also thanked those present who served the country, many of whom fought in World War II at Pearl Harbor and on D-Day.
“I give my deepest and most heartfelt thank you for your service to our country,” said Rich as he addressed the crowd.
District 1 Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson said the new roadways were a much needed bridge between the communities now connected by them.
“Longleaf Pine and Veterans parkways help provide a sense of place for the northwest,” Stevenson said.
The area, now known as St. Johns, encompasses the communities located along the County Road 210 corridor and the communities of Fruit Cove, including the newly opened Aberdeen and Durbin Crossing developments. Stevenson said the roadways, which feature bike lanes, schools and a regional park, would unite the area in a way that has not occurred in the past.
