Alachua County invites the public to celebrate the opening of Turkey Creek Preserve with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Monday, March 1, 2021. The event begins at 10 a.m., at Turkey Creek Preserve. The main trailhead and parking area are located at 6300 N.W. 93rd Avenue. Face masks are required when social distancing is not possible.
The speakers at the Ribbon Cutting include Alachua County Manager Michele Lieberman, Alachua County Commission Chair Ken Cornell, Alachua County Land Conservation and Management Director Charlie Houder, and City of Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper.
“Turkey Creek Preserve is a wonderful addition to our conservation lands inventory,” said County Commission Chair Ken Cornell. “I am so grateful that the voters in Alachua County approved the Wild Spaces Public Places ½ cent surtax that made this purchase possible.”
Turkey Creek Preserve is approximately 375 acres and is located within the City of Alachua. The property was acquired in December of 2009, with funds from the Wild Spaces Public Places Sales Tax and with reimbursement from Florida Communities Trust. The preserve protects numerous habitat types, including basin swamp, depression marsh, dome swamp, upland hardwood forest, blackwater streams, and sinkholes. It is also home to state-endangered woodland poppymallow, as well as state threatened gopher tortoises.
With five miles of trails, visitors have ample opportunities for recreational activities and wildlife viewing. All marked trails are open to hikers, with select trails allowing off-road bicycling and equestrian use. This preserve also has a half-mile Fitness Trail featuring seven exercise stations for patrons to add a workout to their visit.
For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or
msexton@alachuacounty.us.