New land purchase expands protected corridor near Turnbull Creek

The New Smyrna Beach City Commission has approved the purchase of 7.31 acres along the west side of Turnbull Creek, adding to a long-running conservation effort that city officials say is tied not only to habitat protection but also to flood mitigation and future stormwater planning. The vote was 4-0, according to the city’s announcement posted this week.

The newly acquired property sits between State Road 44 and Jungle Road and brings the city’s total land bought for conservation since 2018 to 223.35 acres. That program was launched after more than 75% of voters approved spending up to $15 million to buy privately owned land that had been zoned for development and preserve it instead. The city said $4.7 million remains in the Turnbull Creek land acquisition budget.

Why this matters beyond New Smyrna Beach

For Edgewater residents, the purchase is relevant because it highlights a regional strategy that many southeast Volusia communities are watching closely: using land conservation to address flooding, stormwater pressure and wildlife connectivity before more development occurs. Those issues do not stop at city boundaries, especially in low-lying areas connected by shared watersheds and transportation corridors.

Natural Resources Manager Ralph “Tony” Miller said the parcel helps connect previously acquired properties into a more continuous wildlife corridor. He described the tract as “the hole in the donut,” because it links land already preserved to the north and south. According to the city, that continuity could also strengthen future requests for wildlife crossings on nearby roads, since public ownership on both sides of a roadway can be an important requirement.

Flood concerns were part of the discussion

City officials also tied the purchase to neighborhood flooding concerns. Vice Mayor Jason McGuirk said the property’s low elevation made it especially important to preserve, arguing that additional homebuilding there could have worsened drainage problems for nearby residents. That practical concern may resonate with Edgewater readers, where growth, runoff and stormwater capacity remain recurring local issues.

The city said the purchase agreement totals $750,000 and includes provisions to name a future street after Sonny Ellison and any future public amenities on the site after Z.B. Ellison, at the request of the seller’s family. While the tract remains in New Smyrna Beach, the broader takeaway is regional: local governments are increasingly treating conservation land as infrastructure, not just open space.

As Volusia County communities continue balancing growth with resilience, this acquisition offers a nearby example of how preserving undeveloped land can serve multiple purposes at once — protecting habitat, reducing development pressure in sensitive areas and potentially improving long-term flood management.