FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 24, 2018
DEP Celebrates Grand Opening of the St. Marks Headwaters
Greenway
~DEP awarded more than $800,000 to Leon County for 160-acre
project~
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.
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