Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, N Jefferson St - Humble beginnings of Hogans Creek in the parking lot of the Duval County Medical Examiner’s office, behind the dumpster. I could see the small spring of crystal clear water and hear the flow as the journey begins.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, W 11th St - Clear, clean water flowing close to the source.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, UF Health Parking - Where the creek flows under a parking lot.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, 6th St - After flowing under the parking lot of UF Shands Hospital and 8th Street, the creek emerges as a ditch, already looking stressed from the runoff and pieces of trash. A few wild ducks can always be seen wandering about and making a mess.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Warren Schell Park - Yes, the railings are broken and potentially dangerous to the public, nothing is done.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, N Pearl St - Hogans Creek creates a boundary between Downtown and residential areas to the north. A series of bridges creates the connections. With the potential to be attractive pedestrial walkways, these are constructed as concrete roadways with no relation to the creek below.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Broad St - Part of the charm of the old “venetian canal” were the old balustrades that provided transparency and scale to the necessary railings along the creek. These are still visible in several areas. Other areas are either void of any railing, or have concrete barriers erected, much like those found as temporary construction barriers on the highway. Completely devoid of any sensitivity to the landscape, it was the easiest and cheapest way to erect a wall.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, N Laura St - Small sections of the original railings still exist. Lack of maintenance for 50 years shows. Thankful for the durability of the concrete structures that were in place.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Main St - One of the many public pathways along the creek, accessible when the gates are not locked.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Main St - “Main Street” in most cities is symbolic of the character of that place, and Jacksonville’s Main Street does not fail in this respect. Once a vibrant commercial corridor through the heart of the city, our Main Street has never recovered from the exodus of business from downtown.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Main St - Anyone can see the inherent beauty of this place.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Main St - The creek and associated businesses, abandoned and ignored.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Main St - Evidence of our complete disregard for the caretaking of this creek, not that we have to look very far to find other examples.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Springfield Park - One of several pedestrian crossings over the creek. On the opposite bank there was a chain link fence and overgrown shrubs. It would take minimal effort to maintain the groundsand make some repairs. The dead tree is symbolic of the surrounding area.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Hubbard St - As I was trying to access the adjoining park the gates were padlocked. The health advisory signs prominantly warned about “harmful contaminants” found in the fish, as if there were any catchable fish in the creek.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Hubbard St - A reminder of what was once a pleasant, well-intended outdoor venue for people to enjoy.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, N Market St - You would think that the creek provides adequate drainage for the adjacent roadways, but when it rains it floods.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, N Market St - Shopping carts, spare tires, mattresses, and refrigerators seem to be social markers for low-income neighborhoods. Why are these particular items discarded randomly? And why doesn’t the city pick these up?

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, N Market St - The Klutho designed bridge structures are still intact but the lighting fixtures and ornaments are missing, so these look like some centuries old artifacts.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, N Liberty St - Access to the banks of the creek are often restricted by an over-abundance of chain link fences, it seems that they are everywhere, easily breached and in need of repair.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, E Union St - the only section of the creek that is covered, preventing any paddling connection to the St Johns. A decision made based on economics and no future vision for the waterway.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, N Washington St - A bucolic section of the creek almost appearing in a natural free-flowing state.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Duval St - This small section of creek runs between Duval and Washington and remains quite wild, a reminder of the way the creek once was. There are several homeless campsites along the shore.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, Duval St - Homeless outpost uder Duval St.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL - Behind the Sulzbacher Center is a large parking area that serves as a place for the homeless to gather and live. Their house is in the shadow of the stadium and coffee factory.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, E Monroe St - These exit ramps from the Hart bridge are no longer used. The city jail and Bank of America tower loom over a portion of the creek that backs up to the homeless shelter. No one sees this portion of the creek except for a few homeless people or the volunteers who regularly pick up trash. I doubt if anyone on the city council has ever been here.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, E Monroe St - This was the view of Hogans Creek that moved me to photograph a natural waterway that defined our city, steeped in history and struggling to survive. As I stood there looking at the water, a kayak drifted underneath, the paddler picking up trash along the bank.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, E Monroe St - The Maxwell House facility adjoins the creek as it reaches the St Johns and provides the final insult to the natural beauty of the waterway.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, East Bay St - The last bridge over Hogans as it joins the St Johns.

Hogans Creek, Jacksonville FL, East Bay St - The St Johns River welcomes Hogans Creek as it exits through the abandoned shipyards.