Celebrate Tallahassee Trails! FTA Apalachee Chapter Meeting June 10, 2014 Welcome to ‘the Best of Florida’!
With abundant wildlife, waterways, and public conservation lands, the opportunities for recreation are endless!!
We’re close to the coast, next to a vast National Forest, a National Wildlife Refuge, multiple State Parks, Wildlife Management Areas, State Forests, City & County Parks, and trails are everywhere!
Let’s go outside and play!!! BIG BEND SCENIC BYWAY
The Big Bend Scenic Byway will transport you to a different time and place through its Wildlife, Woods, Waterways and Way of Life
BIG BEND SCENIC BYWAY
Legendary American Byways: Blue Ridge Parkway Route 66 Pacific Coast Highway Big Bend Scenic Byway BIG BEND SCENIC BYWAY
220 miles: Longest Scenic Highway in Florida
Connects 1 National Forest, 1 National Estuarine Research Reserve, 2 National Wildlife Refuges, The Florida National Scenic Trail, 9 State Parks, 3 State Forests, Wildlife Management Areas & numerous County and City Parks
4 “Waterfront Florida” Communities and 3 Historic Lighthouses BIG BEND SCENIC BYWAY Positive Impacts Economic engine for the state’s tourism economy
Creates jobs and businesses along the route
Encourages preservation of natural resources and historic sites BIG BEND SCENIC BYWAY Designations 2007 Florida Scenic Highway 6-year Application Process to Florida Department of Transportation
2009 National Scenic Byway 1-year Nomination Process to Federal Highway Administration
BIG BEND SCENIC BYWAY Wayside Exhibits
Tell the Byway Story Interpret Themes Help Orient Visitors Enjoy a Scenic Drive On the way to your Favorite Trail!
FloridaBigBendScenicByway.org
Please Like Us on Facebook HIKING TRAILS ON ST. MARKS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MILES AND MILES OF TRAILS
• The refuge is +/- 70,000 acres • Florida National Scenic Trail covers about 49 miles across the refuge east to west • St. Marks Unit receives most visitor use • 5 named trails • Make your own trail on our levees and woodland roads • All offer abundant opportunities for photography and wildlife observation PLUM ORCHARD POND • Behind the Visitor Center • 1/3 mile loop with boardwalks, foot traffic only • Animal Olympics for kids • Spur trail to experimental burn plots PLUM ORCHARD POND
Boardwalks and benches
Animal Olympics Burn Plots – demonstrate differences of burning by season and frequency PRIMITIVE WALKING TRAILS • Deep Creek: 12 miles ~ Stoney Bayou: 6.5 miles • Both follow old logging roads through woodlands and levee roads • Map at trailhead HEADQUARTERS POND
• Starts at restroom parking lot • ¼ mile • Observation tower • Birds and other wildlife • Accessible for all
Photo by Lou Kellenberger TOWER POND TRAIL • Starts at restroom parking lot and picnic area • Approximately 1 mile easy walking loop • Leaflet at trailhead CEDAR POINT
• Starts west of salt water boat ramp parking • ¼ mile; lots of cactus; foot traffic only • Original location of the lighthouse probably near the end of this trail CEDAR POINT Look out for cactus
Trail ends at Apalachee Bay
Salt marsh scene LIGHTHOUSE LEVEE • Starts west of the lighthouse parking lot • ½ mile • Foot traffic only • Plant leaflet at trailhead WE’RE OPEN ALL YEAR! • Entrance fee $5 or federal pass or federal Duck Stamp • Potable water fountain in the Visitor Center • Bring food, snacks, and water • Sun protection • Insect spray • Camera, binoculars, field guides • Great Florida Birding Trail Gateway – Borrow free binoculars at the Visitors’ Center Marti Miller Recreation Coordinator
Multi-use Trail Scan with SMART phone bar code reader for trail map. t http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/download/4835/30783/wakulla_trail_map.pdf Division of Recreation and Parks State Park Hiking Trails in Big Bend Region
June 10, 2014, Apalachee Chapter FTA Meeting
Doug Alderson, Assistant Bureau Chief Office of Greenways and Trails Florida State Park App
30 Torreya State Park
Often called “the Florida mountains”; 16 miles of trails and two loops
31 Torreya State Park
32 Torreya State Park Rare Plants
Torreya Tree Florida Yew 33 St. George Island State Park
2.5-mile Gap Point Trail and 1-mile East Slough Trail
34 St. George Island State Park
View from Gap Point Primitive Campsite at end of trail
35 Ochlockonee River State Park
2.6 miles of nature trails through longleaf pine flatwoods
Miles of hiking along forest roads and a 1.7 mile trail along the coast
37 Wakulla Springs State Park
6 mile trail (one direction) of marked footpath and jeep roads
38 Wakulla Springs State Park
2-mile loop trail through River Sinks Unit and 1-mile trail to Cherokee Sink.
39 Maclay Gardens State Park
5 miles of trails around Lake Overstreet
40 Combo Trail Opportunities
Paddle a river and hike back to initial launch area, eliminating need for extra vehicle
41 New Online Trail Guide
42 NW Florida Land Trails
43 NW Florida Land Trails
44 Comprehensive
To date, guide includes: 345 land trails 84 paddling trails 429 total trails www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.com
45 Division of Recreation and Parks Paddling Trails in Big Bend Region
June 10, 2014, Apalachee Chapter FTA Meeting
Liz Sparks, Paddling Trail Coordinator Office of Greenways and Trails Finding Paddling Trails
47 Local Paddling Trails
Ochlockonee River-Upper Ochlockonee River-Lower Sopchoppy River Apalachee Bay Maritime Heritage Paddling Trail System Lafayette Passage Wakulla River Wacissa River Aucilla River
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/paddle.htm 48 Panhandle Paddling Trails
Apalachicola River Blueway Apalachee Bay Maritime Heritage Trail Apalachicola Paddling Trail System Escambia River Coldwater Creek Juniper Creek Blackwater River Choctawhatchee River Yellow River Shoal River Holmes Creek Econfina Creek Chipola River Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Trail
49 OGT Trip Planning
50 USGS Water Levels
51 Local & State Paddling Clubs
52 Apalachee Bay Maritime Heritage Paddling Trail System
Visitwakulla.com Local Paddling Trails
The Rivers of AWE – Aucilla, Wacissa, and Econfina are some of the area’s most beautiful and unspoiled waterways
Order map online: Wildlife Foundation of Florida
54 Lake Lafayette Passage
Did you know you can paddle from Tallahassee almost to Chaires through a wild, cypress-ringed swamp near Super WalMart and US 27!?
55 Lake Lafayette Passage
56 New National Recreation Trail
Apalachicola River Blueway just named one of the nation’s 21 trails selected as 2014 designated National Recreation Trails by the Department of the Interior.
57 Future Paddling Trails Lake Jackson Blueway – Leon County
Future State Designated Trails: • Upper Chipola • Silver River • Choctawhatchee River • Steinhatchee River • Ocheesee Pond • Merritt’s Millpond • Dry Creek
58 Dawn Griffin
Apalachee FTA Chapter Activity Coordinator Florida Trail Association
In 1966 Jim Kern, a real estate broker and hiking enthusiast, became fed up with “driving all the way to North Carolina to hike the wilderness” simply because there were no hiking trails in Florida.
Today, thanks to dedicated volunteers there are more than 1,000 miles of the continuous trail have been completed, as well as more than 365 miles of loop trails in state parks, state forests, and other public lands close to urban areas. Land acquisition continues for the Florida Trail, with a goal of protecting a wilderness corridor the length of Florida.
What was once considered a far-fetched dream is now reality: following the orange blazes, you can walk the length of Florida from Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve to Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island. Apalachee Chapter – Since 1982 Serves Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties Maintains the first certified section of the Florida National Scenic Trail, certified by the USDA Forest Service in 1988. Maintains over 150 miles of the Florida Trail from the Aucilla River west to the Apalachicola River, including the Aucilla River & Sinks Water Management Areas, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and the Apalachicola National Forest. Apalachicola National Forest – East (includes Bradwell Bay and Sopchoppy River)
From Medart to Porter Lake – 32.4 miles Sopchoppy River Section – Apalachicola National Forest - East
wild azaleas - Springtime
Bradwell Bay Wilderness Area – yes, you may want to pack your mask and snorkel!
Apalachicola National Forest – West (includes Camel Lake)
From Porter Lake to the Apalachicola River – 46.3 miles
Apalachee Chapter Maintains loop trails at Fort Braden (Lake Talquin State Forest), Phipps Park , and Torreya State Park Organizes fun activities throughout the year. . What was once considered a far-fetched dream is now reality: following the orange blazes, you can walk the length of Florida from Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve to Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island. A spur trail connects the Florida Trail with another long-distance trail under construction in Alabama, which will connect to the Appalachian Trail. Long distance hikers have already walked 4,000 miles and more from Key West to Quebec, utilizing the Florida Trail as part of their journey.
Contact FTA Today! http://www.floridatrail.org http://apalachee.floridatrail.org Celebrate Tallahassee Trails
Division of Parks & Recreation June 10, 2014
7 Community Parks 1 Regional Park 2,663 acres of Greenways 3 Campgrounds 25 Boat Landings 6 Community Centers Administration of Youth Sports Programs • Nearly 40 miles of maintained trails
• Disbursed throughout the County
• Two categories: “defined/loop” trails “hiking/recreational” trails • Alford Greenway • Apalachee Regional Park • Fred George Greenway and Park (opening in 2015) • Gil Waters Preserve (aka Lake Munson) • J. Lee Vause Park • Jackson View Park • Lake Henrietta • Martha Wellman Park • Miccosukee Greenway • Pedrick Pond Park • St. Marks Greenway (opening TBD)
Leon County Parks & Recreation 2280 Miccosukee Road Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850)606-1470
Web Sources:
http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/ http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Home/Departments/Public-Works/Parks-and-Recreation
http://www.trailahassee.com/ Hit the Trails with TallyParks
introducing TallyParks
A mapping app for your smart phone Is your little one running circles around the house? Need to locate a park with a playground near your? Check out the new app from the City’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department. Tally Parks can show you a list of parks, pinpoint your current location, search by amenity and more! You can find these by using a Smart Phone app or by www.talgov.com/parks
This app will guide you in the right direction and show you new places to explore. Tallahassee parks offer a wide variety of trail experiences from paddling and equestrian to some of the best mountain bike trails in the country. • Paddling Trails (6.8m) The Lafayette Passage Paddle trail provides over 6 miles of paddling through cypress forests and scenic wetlands. • Hiking Trails (7.5m) Hiking is available on many city park trails but one dedicated, 7 mile trail has been created in Elinor Klapp- Phipps Park for those who want a true hiking experience. • Horseback Riding Trails (10.5) Equestrians may use all of the shared use trails in Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park (EKP) unless otherwise indicated. • Shared Use Trails (36+m) are shared by walkers, runners, equestrians, bike riders, leashed pets and folks just going for a country stroll. • Mountain Biking Trails (16 m) Tallahassee trails offer some of the best mountain biking in the area. Technical features provide more challenge but many have ride around options so riders of different skills can ride together. Getting Started
When you open the app, a map appears with your location so that you can tell where you are in relation to other parks, where you are within a park or where the closest amenities are to you. Once on a trail, a built-in scanner allows users to san QR codes on trail markers to figure out where they are. There is even a handy explanation of how to read trail markers. Trail Markers Were created for locational purposes. They help users find their location on a park map or can be used to report problems. In case of an emergency, the numbers will help US find YOU on the trail. Take note of the nearest number and call (850) 933-6631 or 891-3866. Search by Park, Trail or Feature If you’re looking for a park or trail with a specific feature specific a with trailor for you’reIf park a looking will appear,will it easymaking for you to perfectthe find park. specific amenity, list a of everypark and trail that includes that amenity a youon click When available. amenities the lista all of has app the basketballcourt,garden park, dog path, playgroundor shower facility – – such a as Tallahassee parks offer a wide variety of trail experiences from paddling and equestrian to some of the best mountain bike trails in the country.
Park Shared Use Trail Description A.J Henry Park 1.3 miles of shared, natural surface trails, .5 paved. Blair Stone Road Trail 1.8 miles of shared, paved trail. Brinkley Glen Park .4 miles of shared, natural surface trails. Capital Circle SE Trail 5 miles of paved surface trail. Capital Cascade Trail miles of concrete trails Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park 10 miles of wide dirt road trails. Goose Pond Trail 3.3 miles of paved trails stretch from Heritage Blvd to Apalachee Parkway Guyte P. McCord Park .5 miles of shared (.3m paved & .2m natural) trails. Indianhead Trail .9 miles of shared natural surface trails. Lafayette Heritage Trail Park 3+ miles of shared, natural surface trails. Lafayette Park Fitness Trail .7 miles of shared natural surface trails. Lake Elberta Park .7 miles of shared paved and natural surface trails. Myers Park 1.2 miles of shared, natural surface trails. San Luis Park 3.1 miles of shared, natural surface trails, .3m paved. Tom Brown Park 1.5 miles of the paved Goose Pond trail runs thru.
Other fitness & walking trails can be found at the Betton Nature Center, Carter Howell Strong Park, Lake Ella, Speed Spencer Stephens Park and Dorothy B. Oven Park. Mountain Description Bike Trails Red Bug Trail 3.7 mile intermediate to advanced, tight and technical trail with challenging rooty sections and short climbs.
Magnolia Trail 3.5 mile trail is a flowing and somewhat challenging, intermediate skill level trail that provides a good workout and some interesting technical features Cadillac Trail 4.2 mile intermediate skill level trail with easy and advanced options to challenge your biking skill while allowing less adventurous riders to join the ride Loblolly Loop A short .8 mile, twisty, turning, easy trail that’s fun to ride for beginners and advanced riders. Fern Trail 3.3 miles one way; beginner level; of urban single track connecting downtown Tallahassee to Tom Brown Park on the East. This is a green transit trunk trail.
Kohl’s Trail .7 miles of single track from Kohl’s connecting to the Fern Trail
Whether you’re new in town or have been here a while, TallyParks will guide you in the right direction and show you new places to explore. TallyParks is free and available for download from the App Store on Apple devices and Google Play Store on Android devices. You may also visit Talgov.com for download information.