Gateway to the Ocala National Forest

Connecting the communities of Umatilla, Just north of the Ocala National Forest Altoona and Astor, the North Lake Trail Service Office, the railroad bed veers is the gateway to Ocala National Forest. away from State Road 19 to meet the Spanning the length between County Ravenswood Trail, an existing unpaved Road 450A in Umatilla and State Road trail. North Lake Trail would continue 40, is a planned multi-use, pedestrian and north following Railroad Grade Road bicycle-friendly trail with the potential for until it reaches County Road 455A and future equestrian facilities. eventually, State Road 40 in Astor. There, the North Lake Trail would intersect with PHASE II - This trail project follows an old the Black Bear Scenic Trail and head east railroad right-of-way that once transported toward the St. Johns River. both people and produce. Much of this historic railroad line is inside the The planned Black Bear Scenic Trail is forest itself, providing a beautiful future part of the Heart of Florida Loop. This recreational opportunity for local and project will impact numerous communities visiting trail-goers. The future trail corridor throughout Central Florida by linking would offer visitors close proximity to existing trails to form an extensive loop, Alexander Springs, the Florida National which could bring about significant Scenic Trail, the Clear Lake Recreational community and economic benefits. Area, Ellis Acres Reserve and Lake George. With active outdoor recreation, which The North Lake Community Park in includes trails, contributing $730 billion Umatilla would function as a trailhead. annually to the U.S. economy, the North For the city of Umatilla, this will have an Lake Trail will be beneficial to tourism enormous economic impact, attracting and economic development not only in tourists and nature lovers to the downtown North Lake County, but the entire Central area to shop and dine. Florida region.

For more information contact Scott Blankenship at [email protected] AY BYW B IC LA BLACK BEAR SCEN 40 CK BE AR SCEN IL IC T RA ASTOR

ALEXANDER SPRINGS RECREATION AREA TRAILHEAD

ALEXANDER SPRINGS

PHASE III

PHASE I SR 19 PHASE II TRAILHEAD 42 PHASE III ELLIS ACRES

CLEARWATER LAKE ALTOONA RECREATION AREA

FLO RI 42 DA N A TI ONAL 44 SCEN NORTH LAKE I C 450 COMMUNITY PARK TR A IL UMATILLA * Lake CLEARWATER Yale PHASE II TRAILHEAD CASSIA 19 TRAILHEAD

44 452

EUSTIS 44 BEAR POND TRAILHEAD LOWER WEKIVA Lake RIVER PRESERVE 441 Eustis TRAILHEAD

PHASE I 441 46

TAVARES MOUNT DORA Lake Dora Lake Harris

SU M GA OU R N LO TA A IN F T RA IL 448

48 ASTATULA NORTH LAKE HOWEY IN THE HILLS 450 COMMUNITY PARK UMATILLA

Lake PHASE II 19 Yale

Lake Apopka 19

27 44 452 MINNEOLA

CLERMONT 50 *Some portions are located on private property