County Attorney Michael Rodriguez on Monday said the county just closed on the purchase of a 5.2-acre parcel on the Intracoastal Waterway for perpetual preservation under the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands program, and as an extension of Palm Coast’s popular linear Park.
The parcel starts at the foot of the Hammock Dunes Bridge, on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway, and extends north roughly the length of the marina across the water, to the edge of the Palm Coast Resort.
The county bought the land from Carolyn and Christopher Marlow, owners of the Golden Lion Restaurant and Next Door Beach Bistro in Flagler Beach, for $1.88 million. Three appraisals of the property had ranged from $820,000 to $2.8 million. At one point, the Marlows considered building a restaurant on the property.
“The next step is now we’re going to try to effectuate the transfer of the property over to the city of Palm Coast,” Rodriguez said.
“The thought has long been that this is a perfect fit for Palm Coast,” County Administrator Heidi Petito said in a release. “Some of the Linear Park amenities, like parking, are already there.”
Assistant County Attorney Sarah Spector wrote the agreement that allows the property to be used for public park and recreation facilities. A prohibition against dogs on the property was deleted. Flagler Beach attorney Dennis Bayer represented the Marlows.
“This is a big win for Flagler County,” said Commission Chair Andy Dance. “These ESL purchases are a key to ensuring we have plenty of green spaces and outdoor amenities for our residents into the future.”
Flagler County voters by close to 3-to-1 margins have since 1988 approved a referendum creating and maintaining the Environmentally Sensitive Lands program through a modest levy on property taxes (the equivalent of $25 for a house with a $250,000 tax assessment and a $50,0000 homestead exemption). It generates close to $2 million a year, and started this year with $8.6 million.
Other recent purchases include:
- 25 acres adjacent to Princess Place Preserve, which closed for $700,000 (more than half from ESL funds) in March 2024.
- 27.5 acres at Bull Creek to expand conservation and recreation, which closed for about $1.15 million on March 31, 2025.
- 307 acres in Pringle Forest along Pellicer Creek was purchased for $3 million on June 9, 2025. It was funded by state appropriation to protect critical wetlands and wildlife habitat.
More than half the money spent since 1988 within Flagler County on environmentally sensitive lands was spent to buy land in one of the county’s cities or in state parks. In Palm Coast, ESL money contributed to the purchase of Linear Park, Long Creek Nature Preserve, and Mulberry Branch.
One salty sour property owner says
If the paved trail on that land was an easement, and I’d think it was, the previous owner posted an armada of large ugly no trespassing signs in error. Either way – I’m just glad to see old salty bones moved out tho! Does anyone know why the person became so sour and salty with the sign escapade?
Deborah Coffey says
LOL. “Environmentally sensitive lands ?” So much for the climate change deniers everyone continues to put into office. In 5 years the whole thing will be under water…for good. They’re going to stop the ocean, too, for tens of millions of dollars a year! LOL.
Finally some positive news! says
This is a wonderful and very welcome new addition to a little known but vibrant trail system, Linear to waterfront trail, down Colbert to Grahm Swamp trails or Lehigh rail trail I am still surprised when I take new friends out for a ride on the Ebikes, I constantly hear surprise that long time residents of Palm Coast had no idea we had access to these amenities! I try to go every weekend.
Just a Thought says
Only a direct response from the previous owner can give you the answer to your question. My opinion/observation is it is not about the path but the property on both sides of the path. The owner had to post signs to legally protect himself from the liability of the public using his private property, given the potential for being sued if someone gets injured on his property. The public has access to the paved walkway only not the property on both sides of the path which is private. Initially there were just a few signs notifying the public that it was private property but, for some reason from what I have seen, the public has not shown respect that it is private property, using it as they feel entitled. These are the same people who are the first to sue if something were to happen to them. With the costs of being insured, most of us would do the same thing.
MM says
PARKS, WALKING TRAILS, GREEN SPACE, MY GOODNESS IT GOES ON AND ON. WHO ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT NEED ALL THIS ‘SPACE’. MONEY NOT WELL SPENT. WE HAVE SO MUCH ‘GREEN SPACE’ IN PALM COAST ALREADY THERE IS NO NEED TO ‘BUY’ MORE! PALM COAST IS A RETIREMENT TOWN, AND I DON’T KNOW WHO IS DOING ALL THAT WAKING/HIKING, ETC.
Kim Yates says
This is wonderful news. I use the parks +trails alot and so do a bunch of other people I see them walking + riding bikes in the morning + all through the day, on and off. The way that Florida is rapidly deteriorating we cannot express the importance of every single Green Space we can aquire. I am so proud of Flagler County for being a leader in this. I believe it will be a destination to visit because of this… as oppossed to the mass developments that are going up everywhere.
Thankyou !!