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Lake County Parks & Trails
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The Lake County Department of Public Resources, Parks & Trails Division, manages more than three dozen parks, preserves and boat ramps. The Division's park rangers lead regularly scheduled nature hikes and bird and butterfly surveys in a select few of these parks in addition to properties owned by the Lake County Water Authority and St. Johns River Water Management District.
This year promises to be exciting with a variety of opportunities for educational enrichment and enjoying the County's natural treasures!
Parks & Trails has teamed up with the PEAR Association to provide a variety of educational programs such as Beginning Birder Classes,
Rocks & Mineral classes, Limnology, and much more! The Divsion will also lead exploration hikes throughout the year at the public reserves recently opened for passive use.
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Lake May Reserve totals approximately 136 acres. The native landscape of the Reserve consists of xeric oak hammock and a mix of upland scrub, pine and hardwood forested areas. The property also features Lake May, a twenty-acre lake, along with the associated wetlands. In addition, there currently is an actively managed citrus grove and an area of remnant citrus grove.
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8 to 10 a.m. at Lake Jem Park & Boat Ramp, Tavares
An opportunity to explore this small and little known park's wildlife and plants. Plus what improvements have been made and will be made over the next few years. Reservations are encouraged.
Difficulty: 2
7 to 11 a.m. at PEAR Park, Leesburg
Help survey the park's birds and butterflies. Experience a plus but not required. Participants will need to bring their own set of binoculars. Reservations are encouraged.
Difficulty: 2
8 to 10 a.m. at PEAR Park Gateway, Leesburg
An 'in the field' walk to help people get into birding. Participants should bring binoculars and field guides. Reservations are encouraged.
Difficulty: 1
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at PEAR Park Nature Center, Leesburg
An all day class by Gene Bouley an PEAR Association volunteer and retired teacher. The class will cover basic aspects of geology in a simple hands on environment. Reservations are encouraged.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PEAR Park Nature Center, Leesburg
Gene Bouley and PEAR Association volunteers will open the Nature Center and it displays for the public to enjoy!
9 to 11 a.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. at PEAR Park Nature Center, Leesburg
Second in a series of beginning birder classes and field trips. Strictly limited to 15 participants in each class (2 classes, morning and evening). This class will cover books, references,and other sources for bird identification. Reservations are encouraged.
8 to 11 a.m. at Lake May Reserve, Eustis
Difficulty: 2
8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Emeralda Marsh CA, Leesburg
Field trip portion of the "Beginning Birder Classes" limited to 20 participants that have attended at least one of the classes. Reservations are encouraged.
7 to 11 a.m. at Ferndale Preserve, Ferndale
Assist Park Rangers in censusing the preserve's birds and butterflies. Monitoring helps us better understand how our management and restoration are effecting wildlife. Experience a plus but not required, must bring binoculars! The activity will include hiking about 2 miles on trails. Reservations are encouraged.
Difficulty: 3
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Scrub Point/John's Lake, Clermont
Join staff from LCWA and Lake County Parks & Trails on this guided paddle tour on Lake County waterways. Participants can bring their own canoe or kayak or use one provided. Limited to 15 vessels and detailed information will be provided to participants once they have reserved space. To make reservations for the paddling adventures, call the Lake County Water Authority at (352) 343-3777, ext. 0 on Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Difficulty: 2
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PEAR Park Nature Center, Leesburg
Gene Bouley PEAR volunteer will have the nature center at the park open for the public to see the displays. While there, check out the volunteer maintained "Native Plant" gardens and hike one of the many trails.
Difficulty: 2
8 to 11 a.m. at The Pasture Reserve, Groveland
Difficulty: 2
Information about Guided Hikes & Surveys
Park rangers encourage participants of the regularly scheduled nature hikes and bird &
butterfly surveys to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Hikers should also bring binoculars,
field guides, cameras, sunscreen, insect repellent, water and snacks.
Reservations are required for all guided hikes and bird & butterfly surveys. Most hikes are limited
to the first 25 individuals to place reservations. To make reservations for the guided hikes and bird &
butterfly surveys, call the Lake County Parks & Trails Division at (352) 253-4950 or e-mail
parksandtrails@lakecountyfl.gov.
HIKING DIFFICULTY RATING
1 - These hikes offer an easy pace and an average-to-sedentary level of fitness. Hikes are usually on a paved trail or boardwalk. Distance is typically 1 mile or less.
2 - An average level of fitness is recommended as these moderate hikes may be on a trail of uneven terrain. Distance is typically 2 miles or less.
3 - These hikes are generally more challenging, depending on an individual’s experience and level of fitness. Hikes are more difficult due to hills and distances of greater than 2 miles.
Information about PADDLING ADVENTURES
The Lake County Water Authority coordinates all paddling adventures. For more information on these guided tours, contact the Lake County Water Authority at (352) 343-3777.
Reservations are required for all paddling adventures. Most paddling adventures are limited to the first 15 vessels to place reservations. To make reservations for the paddling adventures, call the Lake County Water Authority at (352) 343-3777.
PADDLING DIFFICULTY RATING
1 — These paddling adventures offer an easy pace and an average-to-sedentary level of fitness. Paddling may be on local creeks or shorelines. Time is usually two hours or less and distance is typically 1 mile or less, depending on currents.
2 — An average level of fitness is recommended as these moderate paddles may be on a blueway with obstructions or currents. Time is usually three hours or less and distance is typically 2-4 miles.
3 — These paddling adventures are generally more challenging, depending on an individual’s experience and level of fitness. Paddling is more difficult due to length of blueway and paddling conditions. Time is more than three hours and distance is typically more than 4 miles.
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