Crosby Island Marsh in southeast Orange County offers new spot to take in nature
The Crosby Island Marsh Preserve, a 243-acre property in southeast Orange County, provides nature lovers a new place to enjoy a hiking trail and see pine flatwood s, freshwater marshes and oak hammocks.
County officials celebrated the opening to the public Wednesday of the preserve, which was purchased through a program designed to conserve local natural resources.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and County Commissioner Maribel Gómez Cordero were on hand at a ribboncutting ceremony and touted the county’s commitment to conserving land for future generations.
“As we grow as a community, it’s important that we remain as a sustainable community, that we do take care of God’s green Earth,” Demings said.
The county began buying “environmentally sensitive lands” in 1995. Since 2002, purchases have come through the Green PLACE Program, which stands for Park Land Acquisition for Conservation and Environmental Protection.
Since its inception, 30 properties — totaling more than 23,000 acres — have been acquired. The Crosby Island Marsh Preserve was the 13th to open for residents and visitors. However, some properties purchased through the program won’t be open for public use because of size, location and accessibility issues, according to the county.
The preserve, at 13601 Moss Park Road, was purchased in 2004, with a portion dedicated to the U.S. Forest Service for the Florida National Scenic Trail.
“We hope that using the properties for passive recreation will help our residents truly love them and help protect them,” said David Jones, manager of the Orange County Environmental Protection Division. There is no entrance fee to enter the massive property.
Said Demings: “This is a free adventure for all of our residents.”
Hidden Pond Preserve will be the next Green PLACE property to open on Aug. 21. According to the county, two additional properties are currently in the development stage and will eventually open for public recreation.