ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County is celebrating the acquisition and public opening of the Levy Prairie portion of the Barr Hammock Preserve on February 2, 2013, at 9:30 a.m., at the North Trailhead (at SE 11th Drive, off Wacahoota Road). After February 2, the Preserve will be open for hiking and biking on 6½ miles of established paths with incredible views of over 1,000 acres of marsh and wet prairie.
The celebration will introduce visitors to the Preserve through a ceremonial ribbon cutting, a brief introductory talk, and guided nature walks.
Barr Hammock Preserve was acquired through the Alachua County Forever Program; the voter-approved initiative to acquire, improve and manage environmentally sensitive lands to protect water resources, wildlife habitat and natural areas suitable for resource based recreation. The referendum was passed in November 2000. It was funded again by the voters in 2008 with the Wild Spaces and Public Places Referendum.
Barr Hammock Levy Prairie was acquired in 2009 with funding from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Florida Communities Trust, and a generous donation from the Whitehurst Family.
Directions: North or south on US441 to Wacahoota Road
West on Wacahoota Road over I-75 (no exit to or from I-75)
First left after overpass on SE 11 Drive
South on SE 11 Drive to preserve trailhead/parking
Overflow parking available along SE 11 Drive
Click to find out more about Alachua County Land Conservation.
For more information, contact the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department’s Land Conservation Program at 352-264-6848 or kmcpherson@alachuacounty.us.