DEP Celebrates Grand Opening of the St. Marks Headwaters Greenway

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 24, 2018

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP Celebrates Grand Opening of the St. Marks Headwaters Greenway 

~DEP awarded more than $800,000 to Leon County for 160-acre project~

St. Marks River Headwaters

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Communities Trust (FCT) today joined Leon County to celebrate the opening of the St. Marks Headwaters Greenway. Through its FCT program, DEP has provided more than $3.2 million in Florida Forever funding to help acquire and provide recreational amenities for the 755-acre greenway project since 2001.

“DEP is committed to partnering with local communities to protect natural resources and provide recreational opportunities for the residents of our state and visitors,” said Eric Draper, Director of Florida State Parks. “As director of Florida’s state park system, projects like this one are near and dear to my heart, as they help us not only provide recreational opportunities to our residents and visitors, but at the same time preserve our state’s vital and iconic natural resources, like the wetlands and marshes along this property.”

The St. Marks Headwaters Greenway project includes intact bottomland forests, freshwater marshes and sinks. The preservation of the site’s wetlands and headwaters will help improve water quality of both the St. Marks River and local groundwater resources. In addition, the restoration of the greenspace will protect wildlife inhabiting the surrounding area.

The project also provides an essential link to the other greenways and trails located across Leon County, and provides recreational amenities including access to three miles of trails for horseback riding, biking, hiking, running, birdwatching and other wildlife viewing.

The trailhead features covered pavilions, picnic tables, equestrian and ADA parking, along with a large informational kiosk.

"From trail riders to hikers, the St. Marks Headwaters Greenway is a signature project for Leon County," said Leon County District 5 Commissioner Kristin Dozier. "This beautiful greenway will preserve precious natural resources and provide wonderful recreational opportunities to all citizens of Leon County."

The second phase of the greenway is currently under design and will include a larger trailhead located on Buck Lake Road providing access to an additional four miles of trails, boardwalks, and observation areas, as well as permanent restroom facilities and a nature-based playground. The third and final phase will occur on the east side of Baum Road and offer trails and viewing platforms in and around Copeland Sink.

“The St. Marks Headwaters Greenway is an example of what we in Leon County Government can accomplish through local and state partnerships,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Nick Maddox. “The vision and execution of this project took planning, coordination and hard work, and today makes it all worthwhile.”

FCT is a state land acquisition grant program that helps Florida’s communities protect important natural resources, provide recreational opportunities, and preserve traditional working waterfronts through the Parks and Open Space and Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Florida Forever grant programs.

FCT provides Florida Forever funding to local governments and eligible non-profit organizations to acquire land for parks, open space, greenways and projects supporting Florida's seafood harvesting and aquaculture industries. Once a property is acquired through grant funds provided by FCT, the local grant recipient holds title to and manages the lands purchased. Since its inception in 1991, Florida Communities Trust has awarded nearly $829 million from both programs to help communities with their local land acquisition efforts.