Cherokee Point Conservation Area Final Management Plan | May 10, 2013 Image Placeholder
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CHEROKEE POINT CONSERVATION AREA FINAL MANAGEMENT PLAN | MAY 10, 2013 IMAGE PLACEHOLDER 2 Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 Contents EXecUtive SUmmarY IMAGE PLACEHOLDER INTRODUCTION EXISTING CONDITIONS Physiographic Setting Soils Land Use and Vegetation Listed and Non-Listed Species Master plan and land MANAGEMENT plan Goals and Objectives Land Management Overall Site Plan Detailed Site Plan Interior Improvements Standards and Maintenance Requirements COST ESTIMATES AND PHASING Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 3 Executive Summary The Cherokee Point Conservation Area (hereafter referred to as The following goals, objectives and activities have been "Cherokee Point") consists of approximately 183 acres of land in identified for the management and use of Cherokee Point. Osceola County, Florida. The site consists of a mosaic of lake Natural resource goals and objectives are focused on the desired littoral zones, wet pastures, an upland peninsula, and a future conditions (DFC) of the habitats within Cherokee Point residential parcel historically used for cattle ranching. Funding and management activities needed to meet those DFCs. for the acquisition of Cherokee Point was provided by Osceola Recreation use goals and objectives focus on establishing and County and Osceola County is responsible for the management controlling appropriate access to the park. The implementation of the property. The site is considered a multiple use park as the of management actions to meet these goals will depend on site is managed for both environmental protection and funding levels, personnel availability, permitting and design recreation. requirements, and specific site conditions. Acquired by the County in June 2012, this park provides an Goal #1: Preserve, maintain, and enhance the natural excellent opportunity to observe the abundant bird diversity of resources of Cherokee Point. Goblets Cove and Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho). Cherokee Point provides a unique opportunity to provide a blueway Goal #2: Provide resource-based recreation that includes connection for canoe and kayak users from the south side of appropriate utilization of existing buildings. Lake Toho to the Twin Oaks Conservation Area. Other features of Land management activities for Cherokee Point will generally Cherokee Point include: consist of prescribed fire, mechanical management, exotic and • A broad expanse of lake edge of Lake Toho; invasive species control, and ecological restoration and • An upland peninsula stretching into the lake that provides enhancement. Specific land management activities were an almost 360° view of the lake; identified for specific areas on the site, including maintenance • Significant viewing areas for habitat used by Everglade snail return intervals, species planting lists, and access requirements. kite, wood stork, and a large diversity of other bird species; A detailed master plan was developed to identify improvements • A small house and associated barn that provide a unique to the facilities of the site, including standardized site furnishings. opportunity for large park pavilion and public space; and Improvements identified include: • An excavated pond near the barn that could provide opportunities for bank fishing. • Plantings within designated right-of-way for Cherokee Road that is unpaved at the Lake Toho edge; The following master plan and management plan was developed • Standardized fencing; to guide the recreational use and land management of the park. • Driveway and parking improvements to provide This plan identifies key improvements to provide access to approximately 25-35 parking spaces; features on the site and to guide land management over the • Enhancements to the on-site pond to provide a fishing and next five to ten years. viewing location; Cherokee Point is located in the Osceola Plain physiographic • Conversion of the barn to a large pavilion unique to the region of Florida. Three soil types, primarily consisting of hydric County; soils, underlie the park. A total of seven land uses and vegetation • New trails and landscape improvements; and communities was identified on Cherokee Point and consist of a • Retrofits to the house for a gathering and exhibit space. house and barn, open pastures, lake edge and marshes within Capital cost estimates were identified for the proposed pastures, a canal, a small pond, and a peninsula extending into improvements. A two phase implementation schedule was Lake Toho. The legacy of water level regulation for Lake Toho established based on the cost estimates and criteria for access and the historical cattle grazing on the wet pastures have left an and enhancement of Cherokee Point. imprint on the natural systems of the site. The hydrology of the site is primarily driven by the water levels and hydrology of Lake Toho. The site is used by Everglade snail kite, bald eagle, wading birds, and a variety of other wildlife and plant species. 4 Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 Cherokee Point Conservation Area The site has been divided into management zones consisting of wet pastures and prairies, the peninsula, boardwalk and cypress planting area, and recreation zone. Peninsula Zone Boardwalk and Cypress Plantings Zone Pasture / Prairie Management Recreation Zone Detailed master plan for recreation zone Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 5 IMAGE PLACEHOLDER 6 Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 IMAGE PLACEHOLDER Introduction Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 7 Introduction Overview The Cherokee Point Conservation Area (hereafter referred to as "Cherokee Point") consists of approximately 183 acres of land in Osceola County, Florida (Figure 1). Located west of Canoe Creek Road and Kissimmee Park Road at the north end of Cherokee Road, Cherokee Point occurs in Sections 12 and 13, Township 26 South, Range 29 East and Section 18, Township 26 South, Range 30 East. According to the Osceola County property appraiser, Cherokee Point is comprised of tax folio numbers 24-26-29-368-0000-A0010, 24-26-29-369- 0000-B0010, 24-26-29-369-0000-C0190, 24-26-29-367- 0000-10010, and 24-26-29-367-0000-70010. The site consists of a mosaic of lake littoral zones, wet pastures, an upland peninsula, and a residential parcel. The site was historically used for cattle ranching and as a single- family residence. A current aerial photograph of the site is included as Figure 2. Two aerial photographs taken in Cherokee Point 1951 and 1959 are included as Figures 3A and 3B. Conservation Area Funding for the acquisition of Cherokee Point was provided by Osceola County and Osceola County is responsible for the management of the property. The site is considered a multiple use park as the site is managed for both environmental protection and recreation. Setting Acquired by the County in June 2012, the unique setting Figure 1. Location Map of this park along the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) provides an excellent opportunity to observe the Plan Purpose abundant bird diversity of Goblets Cove. Moreover, the The following master plan and management plan was location of Cherokee Point on the south side of Goblets developed to guide the recreational use and land Cove provides a unique opportunity to provide a management of the park. This plan identifies key blueway connection for canoe and kayak users from the improvements to provide access to features in the site south side of Lake Toho to the County-owned Twin Oaks and to guide land management activities on Cherokee Conservation Area on the north side of the lake. Other Point over the next ten years. features of Cherokee Point include: • A broad expanse of lake edge of Lake Toho; • An upland peninsula stretching into the lake that provides an almost 360° view of the lake; • Significant viewing areas for habitat used by Everglade snail kite, wood stork, and a diversity of other bird species; • A small house and associated barn that provide a unique opportunity for large park pavilion and public space; and • An excavated pond near the barn that could provide opportunities for bank fishing. 88 Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Aerial Photography Figure 2. Current Aerial Photograph Figure 3A. Historical Aerial Photograph - 1951 Figure 3B. Historical Aerial Photograph - 1959 Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 9 9 IMAGE PLACEHOLDER 10 Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 IMAGE PLACEHOLDER Existing Conditions PHYsiographic setting soils land Use and vegetation listed and non-listed species Cherokee Point Conservation Area | Management Plan 2013 11 Existing Conditions Existing conditions on the Cherokee Point consist of a much of the naturally-occurring vegetation has been used house and barn, open pastures, lake edge, marshes within for native range as well. Other portions of this physiographic pastures, a small pond, and a peninsula extending into region have been converted to various residential and Lake Toho. The following provides a brief description of commercial uses, especially around the cities of St. Cloud each of these elements as well as an overview of other and Kissimmee. natural resources found on the site. The common and scientific names of plant and wildlife species referenced in Hydrology and Regional Setting the text of this management plan are identified in The legacy of water level regulation for Lake Toho and the Attachment 1. historical cattle