Nature trail offers window to wildlife

The opening ceremony for the San Felasco Conservation Corridor/Alachua phase nature trail was held Tuesday. Recent enhancements to the project site include a one-mile long nature trail, concession/restroom
facilities, scenic pond overlook and parking improvements.
Despite overcast rain clouds and windy weather, about 50 people came to the Tuesday morning celebration for the opening of San Felasco Conservation Corridor/Alachua phase nature trail.

The 24-acre corridor project, which began in 2002, creates a 10-mile wildlife corridor in northern Alachua County that will connect and protect over 25,000 acres of habitat.  Extending from the San Felasco Hammock State Park northward to the Santa Fe River, the corridor provides paths for wildlife to pass through leading to vital destinations such as rivers, wetlands and creeks.

The Alachua phase of the Corridor connects to the San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park near Progress Corporate Park in Alachua via conservation easements from the University of Florida Foundation, Innovation Partners, Ltd. and the Foundation for Environmental Research.  The recent enhancements to the project site include a one-mile long nature trail, concession/restroom facilities, scenic pond overlook and parking improvements.

Financial support for the enhancements came from the Florida Recreation Development & Assistance Program, Wild Spaces, Public Places funds and the City of Alachua.  The property was acquired by the City in 2004 with funding from the Florida Communities Trust program and the conservation easements provide integral connectivity to the San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park.  The new amenities to the site complement the existing baseball field.

The opening ceremony was held on site at J N “Preacher” Copeland Park & Progress Corporate Park. The short program included comments from Mayor Gib Coerper, Assistant City Manager Danielle J. Judd, and a guest speaker and environmental consultant Dr. David W. Hall.

“You are all friends of Alachua, friends of conservation, friends of recreation,” said Coerper to a crowd of city workers, conservationists and residents.

“We have been secretly conservative for a long time.”

The trail is approximately a mile long, allowing walkers to view Legacy Live Oak, Longleaf Flatwoods and a scenic pond overlook.

Assistant City Manager Judd played an important role in the creation of the trail.

“She walked the trail before there was a trail,” said Cain amidst laughs. “She assured me they have removed all the snakes.”

The City will continue improvements to the park over the coming years including the construction of a playground, picnic pavilion, interpretive signage and trailhead kiosk, among others

A citizen’s support group will be used for the maintenance of the trail, removing exotic plants and leading walking tours.

Environmentalist Dr. David Hall cited the open spaces as the most interesting aspect of the trail.  The spaces allow for walkers to see plants grow and for nature to occur from the ground up.

“I hope you enjoy the trail,” Hall said.  “Even though you may be using it as a respite from your normal lives, seeping into your consciousness is education.”

As Hall ended his short address, Commissioner Orien Hills was able to close the program just in time.  Nature took its course and it began to rain.