Alachua County is being inundated with calls and emails due to a factually incorrect sign put up by officials at the Rock Church. The Rock Church sign incorrectly states that “The Rock Trails are officially closed to all use, both cycling and walking.” The sign goes on to attribute this decision to the County. The County did not close the trails; that decision was made by The Rock Church.
The Rock Church obtained County approval to build a new church on this property. In order to reduce the environmental impacts of this development project, and to comply with County land development codes, The Rock Church proposed protecting a designated 40-acre conservation area.
The Rock Church’s development plan recommended that mountain biking within the designated conservation area should not be allowed due to environmental impacts including soil erosion and water quality degradation. The County agreed with their assessment. The sign incorrectly infers that the County closed the trail because it was damaging the ecosystem, but makes no mention that this was The Rock Church’s recommendation in their development plan.
Nothing in County Development Codes prohibits walking and jogging in this Conservation Area.
For more information, contact Communications and Legislative Affairs Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or msexton@alachuacounty.us.