New Trails--N. Florida

["guest@endurance.net" <guest@endurance.net>]

Laura Nielsen lsn@bellsouth.net
San Felasco Hammock State Preserve, located between Alachua and Gainesville, Florida, is in the process of adding horseback riding, carriage driving and mountain bike trails.

This preserve is approximately 6900 acres of grass pasture land, hardwood and pine forests. Additional features include hills, limestone outcrops, sinkholes, creeks and swamps, along with various wildlife.

While there are funds to purchase materials, the majority of the labor to develop the trails system and parking area is though volunteer's efforts. Trails are still in the planning, clearing and marking stages. Separate trails systems are being built, with intersections kept to a minimum. Horses and bikers will not be allowed to use each other's trails. No motorized vehicles will be permitted.

There is still much work to be finished. Trails need to be temporarily marked, proposed to the ranger, cleared and permanently marked. The parking lot area needs to be fenced and kiosks built and installed.

Volunteers are needed to accomplish these tasks. If you are interested in volunteering for work days and/or joing Friends of San Felasco, please contact me. If you would like to be added to the volunteer e-mail list for notification of work days and Friends of SF meetings, please contact me. 

This is a great opportunity to plan and build a "custom" trails system. All that is needed is a few hours of your time and energy.

Laura Nielsen
lsn@bellsouth.net