CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENT
FORT COOPER STATE PARK AND WITHLACOOCHEE STATE TRAIL TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING
~Public invited to share input on land management plans ~
WHAT: Fort Cooper State Park and Withlacoochee State Trail Public
Workshop
WHEN: July
22, 2015
7 p.m.
WHERE: Inverness Community Center
1082 North Paul Drive
Inverness, Florida 34450
WHAT: Advisory
Group Meeting
WHEN: July 23, 2015
9 a.m.
WHERE: Fort Cooper State Park
Recreation Hall Building
3100
South Old Floral City Road
Inverness,
FL 34450
The following developments/improvements are proposed for
the updated Fort Cooper State Park management plan:
-
Construct
a new park entrance from U.S. Highway 41 to replace the existing park entrance
from Old Floral City Road;
-
Develop
a 30-site standard facility campground in the park's northeast section;
-
Construct
an observation platform on the shore of Lake Holathlikaha for an enhanced
vantage point over the lake and surrounding basin marsh;
-
Construct
a new lakeside special-event pavilion to increase capacity for group events;
-
Continue
to add/improve interpretive exhibits/signage throughout the park; and
-
Improve
universal accessibility to the restrooms in the park day-use area.
The following developments/improvements are proposed for
the updated Withlacoochee State Trail management plan:
-
Develop a new trailhead
approximately 1 mile north of Floral City;
-
Construct new restrooms at the Ridge
Manor Trailhead;
-
Improve facilities at the Owensboro
Junction/U.S. Highway 301 Trailhead, including restrooms, increased parking,
picnic pavilions and a volunteer campsite; and
-
Expand interpretive programming and
exhibits at trailheads along the trail.
In 2013-14, Fort Cooper State Park hosted 28,915 visitors, creating
$2,368,889 in direct economic impact and supporting 33 jobs. In 2013-14, Withlacoochee State Trail hosted 405,632
visitors, creating $30,139,500 in direct economic impact and supporting 422 jobs.
The public
notice, agenda and draft plan are available online. Copies may also be obtained by contacting Fort Cooper State Park Manager Harry Mitchell at 352-726-0315 or Harry.F.Mitchell@dep.state.fl.us.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in
this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before
the workshop/meeting by contacting: Harry Mitchell at 352-726-0315 or
Harry.F.Mitchell@dep.state.fl.us. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the
agency using the Florida Relay Service, 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770
(Voice).
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