Florida Trail Association – Choctawhatchee and Western Gate Chapters
Activities August/September 2010
Courtesy http://choctaw.floridatrail.org
Activity Participants Please note: Contact the activity leader well in advance for more information and/or to reserve your place (Space is limited.) Unless instructed otherwise by the activity leader, each participant should bring: day pack, plenty of water (recommended minimum, 2 quarts), sun protection (hat, glasses, screen), insect repellent, lunch and or snacks, adequate clothing for the forecast, and comfortable, sturdy close toed shoes with socks. Long pants, work gloves, and extra water are recommended for work hikes. Activity leaders may deny participation to anyone who is inadequately prepared.
The Western Gate Chapter (western area) and Choctawhatchee Chapter (eastern area) span a longitude difference greater than 80 miles. All activities are open to the public unless noted otherwise.Read More…
What better way to spend the day than exploring the outdoors!
Walton Outdoors and the Walton County 4-H Program announce Explore The Outdoors Festival at Camp Timopoochee 4-H Center on Sat. Oct. 9, 2010 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join us for a day of fun filled activities for youth and adults. Discover the wonders of the outdoors right here in Northwest Florida. Activities will include kayaking, fishing, YOLO boarding, nature walks, archery, wildlife and sea life presentations, forest ecology, geo caching, nature based games and more.
Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks will be available. This fun event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door. Registration is required. Click here to download registration form
Camp Timpoochee 4-H Center is a camping retreat owned by the University of Florida 4-H Foundation with acres of live oaks and nature trails along the Choctawhatchee Bay on the Walton/Okaloosa County line. ::MAP::
For more information, contact Lori Ceier, event organizer via email at: info@waltonoutdoors.com or at (850) 267-2064 or Suzanne Wilson 4-H Youth Development Agent at (850) 892-8172.
Indigo bunting towers over the entrance to the exhibition hall at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center.
Enjoy hiking, films and activities for all ages
The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation will host its first “Annual Open House” Event on Saturday, September 11, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The exhibit hall will be open, guided hikes will be available, scheduled films will be featured, and activities for all ages will be scheduled. Drop in anytime from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. or pack a lunch and stay a while. Public is welcome.
A trail to the beach at Camp Helen. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Celebrate Recreation and Parks month with swimming, hiking or sitting under a shade tree!
Recognizing the benefits of time spent outdoors in Florida’s environment, Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation highlighting July as Recreation and Parks Month in Florida.
Saturday, July 17 the Florida Park Service (FPS) will offer FREE entry to all state parks, excluding the Skyway Fishing Pier. Canoe rentals, camping and other activities will be available at the regular price.
With Florida’s famous sunshine and hot temperatures, Florida’s state parks offer a welcome relief and an opportunity for fun with family and friends. Swim at the beach, snorkel in a crystal clear freshwater spring, float along on a lazy river, take a boat tour, splash in a pool at Hillsborough River or take a thrilling flume ride or tranquil tube ride at Weeki Wachee Springs’ Buccaneer Bay.
Sit under a shade tree or hike a nature trail. Pack a picnic lunch and cooler. Bring a fishing pole and bait. All are fun, cool and perfect activities for a hot summer’s day. Invite family and friends to make it an extra special day to remember.
Driving down the sloping gravel road, I felt the temperature drop slightly, and soon noticed the changes in the flora as I ventured into the swamp forest of the Choctawhatchee River Basin.
About 1.7 miles down, I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland as she tumbled down the rabbit hole.
I finally arrived at the end of the road to Lost Lake; an oxbow-shaped lake filled with old-growth cypress trees and murky calm water. So quiet and peaceful, this place appeared frozen in time.
I felt I was intruding on Mother Nature’s artistry… an exemplary example of a swamp river forest, with the only interruption to this peaceful calm were water bugs, as they skated across the surface of the lake. Read More…
Fall colors are in abundance along the trail at Eden Gardens State Park. Photo by Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
A list of a great 28 – A variety of parks await the explorer in Walton County
Anyone living in Walton County, or the Florida Panhandle for that matter, share something in common. We all live in a place that hosts the most beautiful beaches to be found anywhere. The shimmering Gulf of Mexico, the soft white sand, the rolling dunes… this area is a location that is hard to beat.
With many beach accesses and several state parks in the area, the beaches can be enjoyed easily.
Walton County offers much more to experience, however, with an abundance of local parks north of the beach offering a touch of nature and beauty all their own.
From the cool, clear water of Morrison Springs in the northeast end of the county, to Lost Lake near Bruce, there is a wide variety of flora and fauna can be experienced in the many parks Walton County has to offer.
Many of the parks have playgrounds and sports facilities, along with walking trails, swimming holes and boat ramps.
So, pack a lunch, or put on your hiking boots, here is a list of a great 28 that are right here in Walton County:
1. Lake Jackson
From U.S. Highway 90 in DeFuniak Springs go north on U.S. Highway 331 for 18 miles. Turn left onto Lake Road and follow until park comes into view.
• Boat ramp
2. Lakewood Park – Florida’s Highest Point
Take U.S. Highway 331 north through DeFuniak Springs. Once past DeFuniak, go 18 miles and turn right on County Road 285. Park will be on left side of road.
• Picnic area, restrooms
Cat Island.
3. Cat Island
Take U.S. Highway 331 north through DeFuniak Springs to U.S. Highway 90 and turn right. Turn left on N. 9th Street (SR 83) and travel 3.3 miles. Turn left onto Cat Island Road. Follow this road to its end, approximately 1 mile.
• Picnic area, restrooms, boat ramp
4. Juniper Lake
Take U.S. Highway 331 north through DeFuniak Springs to U.S. Highway 90 and turn right. Turn left on N. 9th Street (SR 83) and travel 2.6 miles. Turn left onto Juniper Lake Road, traveling for approximately 0.8 miles. The county lands sit along both sides of the earthen dam.
• Picnic area, restrooms, boat ramp
5. Wee Care Playground
Take U.S. Highway 331 north through DeFuniak Springs to U.S. Highway 90 and turn right. Turn left on N. 9th Street (SR 83) and travel 1.5 miles.
Turn left onto Walton Road and proceed for approximately 0.4 miles. The children’s park is located on the right, across from Walton High School.
• Playground, restrooms, picnic area
6. Recreation Complex- DeFuniak Springs
Located at 965 Gene Hurley Road, west of DeFuniak Springs off U.S. Highway 90.
• Playground, picnic area, restrooms, ball fields, skating and rollerblading ramps, nature trail
Ducks on Lake DeFuniak
7. Chipley Park (Lake DeFuniak)
Located in downtown DeFuniak Springs on Circle Drive.
• Playground, boat ramp
8. Douglass Crossroad Ball Park
Head east on U.S. Highway 90 in DeFuniak Springs for 4.1 miles. Turn right on CR183S for 2.8 miles. Immediately after crossing over I-10, turn left on Douglass Crossroad and go approximately 1.5 miles. The park is on the right.
• Playground, restrooms, ball fields
9. Berrian Lake
From the Walton County Courthouse, Berrian Lake can be accessed most easily by following U.S. Highway 90 into Holmes County and reentering Walton County from CR 181A. Head east on U.S. 90 for 10.5 miles. Turn right onto CR 181A and go for 1.1 miles until reaching Old Mt. Zion Road. Turn left and follow for 2.1 miles until road forks. Follow the right fork for 1.9 miles to CR 181. Bear left and go for 0.6 miles, then turn onto Berrian Lake Road. Continue on this road, following the signs to the landing.
• Boat ramp
10. Cedar Log
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and go right on CR 181 for 2.1 miles then right on Cedar Log Road (dirt) for 1.3 miles to ramp.
• Boat ramp
Nothing better than a rope swing into 68 degree clear water on a hot summer's day.
11. Morrison Springs
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and go past Red Bay to County Road 181C. Turn right and continue for 1.6 miles. Then, turn right onto Morrison Springs Road and follow to its end.
• Picnic area, restrooms, swimming, diving, boat ramp
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and go past Red Bay to River Road, proceed to the end of the road.
• Picnic area, boat ramp
Comander's Landing
13. Bruce Creek Park
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and go past Red Bay to Louis Miller Road and turn right.
• Boat ramp
Dead River park
14. Dead River Park
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81 follow Dead River Road. Turn left beside the Dead River Cemetery and follow the clay road to the road’s end.
• Picnic area, boat ramp, portable toilet
15. Seven Runs Park
Seven Runs park
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. The park is on the left (west) side of the road at the foot of the Seven Runs Creek Bridge. The newly opened Florida Trail at Nokuse is just south of Seven Runs Park.
• Picnic area, Boat ramp, Portable toilet
Lost Lake at Tilley Landing
16. Tilley Landing/Lost Lake
Take U.S. Highway 331 north to State Road 20 in Freeport. Turn right and go to State Road 81. Turn left and take State Road 81 until you see the sign on right.
• Primitive camping, portable toilet, boat ramp, picnic area
For more information on Lost Lake click here. 17. H. A. Laird Park
Laird Park in Freeport.
Located on SR 20 West about 1.5 miles west of the intersection of U.S. Highway 331 and State Road 20 West.
• Playground, picnic pavilions, restrooms, short trail
18. Alaqua Creek Park
From Freeport: Head west on SR 20 for approximately 2 miles. Park is on the north side of State Road 20.
• Picnic area, boat ramp, , restroom, swimming, portable toilet
Alaqua Creek park.
19. Alaqua Park
From Freeport, head west on SR 20 for approximately 3.6 miles. Turn left onto Portland Park Road. Follow this clay road to its end.
• Picnic area, boat ramp
20. Choctaw Beach Park
More than a boat ramp, the Choctaw Beach Park offers spectacular sunsets and many public amenities on the north side of the Choctawhatchee Bay. From Freeport, head west on SR 20 for approximately 12 miles. The park is on the left, fronting the bay.• Picnic area, restrooms, pavilion, playground
21. Freeport pool
Managed by the YMCA
Located behind Freeport City Hall on SR 20 in Freeport.
• Open Mid May – Labor Day, $1 for 3 hours of swim time. For more information call (850) 835-1223
22. Casey Kids Park
Casey Kid’s Park is located next to city hall on State
Road 20 in Freeport
• Playground, picnic area
23. Wheeler Point Park
This easy-to-find park sits at the north foot of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge on U.S. Highway 331.
• Picnic area, restrooms, boat ramp
Eden Gardens State park
24. Eden Gardens State Park
This historic park hosts the majestic 110-year-old Wesley House. Completely decorated with period furniture and accessories, Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. Highway 98 on C.R. 395.
• Picnic area, restrooms, pavilions, nature trails, gardens, historic home tours of Antebelum mansion
25. Cessna Landing
Take County Road 393 north from U.S. Highway 98 approximately 3 miles. Cessna
Landing is on the left.
• Picnic areas, restrooms, playground with ball courts, boat ramp
26. Helen McCall Park
Helen McCall Park is off U.S. Highway 98 in Santa Rosa Beach west of County Road 393. Turn south onto Moll Drive and follow to the park.
• Playground, ball fields, restrooms
27. Legion Park
Legion Park is located in Miramar Beach approximately 1 mile west of Sandestin off U.S. Highway 98. Going west turn left on Ponce deLeon Drive. Park is located at the end of the street.
• Playground, picnic area, restrooms, basketball court, shuffleboard court, boat ramp
28. Freeport Regional Sports Complex
Freeport Regional Sports Complex is located off State Road 20 in Freeport, on CR 83A.
Baseball/softball fields, football/soccer fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball court, basketball courts, shuffleboard courts, playground, barbecue/picnic areas, playground, restroom, walking trail.
Head to Camp Timpoochee for five days of fun July 5-9. Sponsored by 4-H, children will enjoy canoeing/kayaking, swimming, environmental education, marine science, archery, arts and crafts, campfires, water sports and games.
Cost is $200.00. Scholarships are available for children whose families meet certain income requirements. Please check with Tri-County in DeFuniak Springs (892-3615). If you do not qualify for assistance from Tri-county and need help please contact the 4-H office for alternative resources.
DEADLINE:
Registration forms and camp fees must be received by 4:00 p.m. Friday, June 18, 2010. Make checks payable to Walton County 4-H Fund.
Download registration form Click here
For more information, you can call the 4-H office 850-892-8172.
Camp Timpoochee is located on the Choctawhatchee Bay just west of the Walton County line off of Hwy. 20. To learn more, click here
Road will be closed May 6-7 and possibly May 8 to install bridge span
Walton County Public Works advises that County Road 30A at Big Redfish Lake will be closed to through traffic (bicycle and pedestrian traffic included) on May 6th, 7th and possibly the 8th.
According to the project contractor, Floridian Construction, the bridge span will be delivered on Thursday May 6th. Because of its size the span must be assembled on the site and lifted into place with a large crane. This will require the use of the roadway as the assembly area and to accommodate the crane.
This road closure is contingent upon delivery of the bridge on May 6. Should unforeseen delay occur in delivery or in assembly, the road closure will be adjusted as necessary. Every effort will be made to minimize inconvenience to travelers along County Road 30A and restore full access to the roadway as soon as possible. Read More…
State Park offers a perfect place for a picnic and a cool swim
Just outside the Walton County line is one of the coolest places to take a dip in a spring, Ponce de Leon Springs State Park. As the water stays a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, both locals and visitors enjoy this nature-made swimming pool, which is a convergence of two underground water flows, producing 14 million gallons of water daily.
This beautiful spring is named for Juan Ponce de Leon, who led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513 – as legend has it, in search of the “fountain of youth.”
The park has a long history as it has been facilitated as far back as the early 1900s, and at one time, offered a roller skating rink. The State acquired the springs in 1970.
The spring area boasts an open pool with easy access steps entering the water. The crystal clear water shows bream and bass swimming around below.
Visitors can take a leisurely walk along two self-guided nature trails through a lush, hardwood forest and learn about the local ecology and wildlife. The walk offers a closer look at Sandy Creek, where the springs empties into, and eventually leads to the Choctawhatchee River.
Local flora includes mountain laurel, magnolias, cypress, holly, cedar and oak trees. Snakes, fox, and lizards are a common sight in the area as well.
There are four pavilions offering grills and picnic tables. There are several more tables and grills scattered around the park offering the perfect place to hold a family picnic. Rangers also conduct seasonal guided walks, and anglers can enjoy fishing for catfish, largemouth bass, chain pickerel and panfish.
Currently the park is going through renovations with the remodeling of the restrooms and new decking along the walking trails.
Recent spring rains produced standing water in many areas along the trails, so bug repellent is recommend as the mosquitoes are abundant.
Hours of Operation
8:00 a.m. to sunset
Driving Directions
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park Area is located one half mile south of U.S. 90 on C.R. 181A in Ponce de Leon, Fla. Click here for map
Park Fees
Admission Fee – $4.00 per vehicle.
Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicles with holder of annual individual entrance permit – $2.00
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
2860 Ponce de Leon Springs Road
Ponce de Leon, Florida 32455
Phone: 850-836-4281
For more information, go to the website at: http://www.floridastateparks.org/PoncedeLeonSprings
Murray Balkcom explains the flora on Western Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Learn about South Walton’s rare coastal dune lakes and dune ecosystems
Murray Balkcom, South Walton resident, Realtor and eco tour guide is a man of many facets and talents.
Raised on a farm in southwest Ga. near Lake Eufala, Ala., Murray has spent most of his life enjoying the outdoors.
Out of college, and working a 70 hrs. a week job, Murray had little time for recreational activities.
Deciding it was time for something different, Murray left the confines of the job, and ventured out to do some exploring and learning about life. Starting with the Outward Bound program, he took on mastering mountaineering, teamwork and survivalist skills; and quickly learned there were more things to life than just working.
Two years later, Murray decided to hike the Appalachian Trail starting in Springer Mountain, Ga. Read More…
Florida Trail Association – Choctawhatchee and Western Gate Chapters
