Edgewater Wetland Park Breaks Ground, Marking Major Step to Improve Indian River Lagoon Water Quality 

EDGEWATER, Fla.– A major step toward improving water quality in the Indian River Lagoon is now underway, as partners broke ground Friday, April 10 on Edgewater Wetland Park, a 50-acre constructed wetland system designed to reduce nutrient discharges and restore natural habitat.

  

Nearly 200 guests, including elected officials, environmental and business leaders, and project partners attended the ceremony, marking a milestone in a years-long public-private effort to address one of the lagoon’s most persistent challenges. 

 

“The milestone marks meaningful progress in ongoing efforts to improve water quality in the Indian River Lagoon while restoring natural habitat and creating a space the community can enjoy for generations to come,” said Deering Park team member Ernie Cox. 

 

The project will transform approximately 50 acres of former timberland donated by Farmton North LLC into a constructed wetland system designed to naturally filter reclaimed water before it reaches the lagoon. In addition to its environmental benefits, the park will provide passive recreational opportunities, including walking and biking trails for the community. 

 

Years in the making, the project is the result of a broad public-private partnership that includes the City of Edgewater, Farmton, Deering Park, the Deering Park Stewardship District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and a team of project consultants and contractors.  

 

During his remarks at the groundbreaking, Cox shared an update on the timeline and what residents can expect in the coming years. Cox emphasized the collaborative effort behind the project.  

 

“This is what’s possible when public and private partners come together with a shared goal,” he said. “From the City of Edgewater staff and leadership to the Florida Legislature’s investment in the Indian River Lagoon restoration, this project reflects a long-term commitment to improving water quality.” 

 

Once complete, the system will redirect between 700,000 and 3 million gallons of reclaimed water per day away from the Indian River Lagoon and into the constructed wetlands for natural treatment. 

 

The groundbreaking ceremony concluded with a special recognition of former Edgewater Mayor Mike Thomas, whose early leadership helped set the vision for the project. He was presented with a commemorative plaque honoring his commitment to protecting the Indian River Lagoon. 

 

“When I was first elected in 2005, I learned the City of Edgewater was permitted to discharge 840,000 gallons of treated wastewater into the lagoon each day,” said Thomas. “From that moment, the goal was simple: get to zero.” 

 

Edgewater Wetland Park represents meaningful progress toward that goal and reflects a community-wide commitment to protecting one of Florida’s most important natural resources. 

 

For more information about the Edgewater Wetland Park, visit www.farmtontreefarm.com 

 

About Farmton 

Farmton Tree Farm is a 70,000-acre property spanning Volusia and Brevard counties and represents one of the largest remaining privately held landscapes in Central Florida. For more than a century, the property has been managed by the Deering family with a focus on sustainable forestry, agriculture, and long-term environmental stewardship.  

 

Today, more than 46,000 acres are permanently conserved, helping protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and regional water resources as part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, while large portions of the property continue to support timber production and other agricultural uses. Farmton reflects a long-term approach that balances conservation, agriculture, and thoughtfully planned growth. 

 

Deering Park is a master-planned community located in the City of Edgewater and part of the larger Farmton property. Designed with a long-term focus on sustainability, the community integrates residential, commercial, light industrial, and civic uses with extensive parks, trails, and conservation areas. The project reflects a vision of thoughtfully planned growth that balances economic development with environmental stewardship and a strong connection to the surrounding natural landscape. Deering Park is being developed by  a joint venture partnership between the Kolter Group and Swallowtail LLC, and is proudly managed by Brookfield Kolter Land Partners LLC. 

 

About Deering Park Stewardship District  

The Deering Park Stewardship District is an independent special-purpose local government established by the Florida Legislature to plan, finance, and maintain infrastructure and conservation areas within the Deering Park and Farmton properties. Covering approximately 64,000 acres across Volusia and Brevard counties, the District helps implement a long-term vision that balances community development with the permanent protection of natural lands.