Girl Scouts of Gateway Council (GSGC) recently gave up operation of one of its properties – Beaches Little House, giving the property to the City of Neptune Beach so that the city can move forward on improvements in Jarboe Park.

“This is a bittersweet moment for Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, but we are excited for what the future holds for Jarboe Park,” said Girl Scouts of Gateway Council CEO Mary Anne Jacobs. “We fully support the City of Neptune Beach and the plans to reinvigorate, enhance and beautify Jarboe Park. We look forward to all the opportunities the Girl Scouts will enjoy visiting an inspired park and enjoying its new facilities.”

According to the website, VintageGirlScouts.com, Girl Scout Little Houses were not a single place, but a movement across America. Starting in Washington DC, the very first Little House was donated to the Girl Scouts by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and was the model for hundreds of Little Houses in every Girl Scout town and city that could manage one. The Beaches Little House was a gift to the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council. Donated by a local Rotary Club, the community helped support building the Little House in Jarboe Park.

Located near the intersection of Florida A1A and Florida Boulevard, Jarboe Park is a community park within walking distance of the beach. The City of Neptune Beach is planning a complete makeover of Jarboe Park with new features including a multi-use lawn, ADA-compliant multi-use building, expanded community garden and a trailhead. The trailhead and new building will be situated in the same vicinity as the Beaches Little House, which will be torn down to accommodate the new facilities. Construction of Jarboe Park improvements are expected to begin in November.

More than 40 Girl Scouts, alumnae, and supporters recently attended the closing ceremony of Beaches Little House. The Rotary Club of Jacksonville presented Beaches Little House to the Girl Scouts in 1952. Over the past 65 years, Girl Scouts troops have visited the property for camping trips, service projects and other events, including the 100 Years of Girl Scouts Celebration in 2012.

For more information about Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, visit www.girlscouts-gateway.org.