OSFR Visits Abandoned Park

May 21, 2023 Conservation, Volunteering by OSFR Leave a Comment

An apparently well-kept secret was discovered recently by OSFR and that is the existence of an Alachua County-owned park located on the Santa Fe River near River Rise Preserve north of High Springs.

The following information is available on the county website.

GO TO THIS LINK TO SEE AN OFFICIAL ALACHUA COUNTY MAP OF THEIR PARKS

OSFR President pro-tem Joanne Tremblay has learned through her conversation with Jason Maurer, Alachua County Parks and Open Space Director, that the access road to the park is being surveyed and will be developed by the county. The county also has plans to develop walking paths and install observational benches.

The City of High Springs used this area as a dump in the 1950’s and ’60’s. Several years ago there was a discussion about making this park public. The soil was tested for PCB’s and none were found but because of the hidden piles of debris, the park idea was tabled. The property has posted No Trespassing signs to deter hunters but likely will be opened to the public at a future date.

Thanks to Joanne Tremblay and the OSFR group for investigating this river site.

Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum

McCallpark3 In: OSFR Visits Abandoned Park | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River — OSFR hikers to park: Kristin Rubin, Patty Street, Joanne Tremblay, Mike Street, ,Terry Phelan, David Vaina, Bill Basta. Taking photo is Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson.

McCallpark5 In: OSFR Visits Abandoned Park | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River — Alachua County does not make it easy to visit this county-owned park. Alachua County granted OSFR permission for the park visit.

McCallpark4 In: OSFR Visits Abandoned Park | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River — McCall is adjacent to River Rise Preserve State Park, which seems just about abandoned also.

Tags: osfr, McCall Park, High Springs

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Our Santa Fe River, Inc is a Florida not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization composed of concerned citizens working to protect the waters and lands supporting the aquifer, springs and rivers within the watershed of the Santa Fe River. We do this by promoting public awareness pertaining to the ecology, quality, and quantity of the waters and lands immediately adjacent to and supporting the Santa Fe River, including its springs and underlying aquifer.

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