Hello Friends of San Felasco Citizen Support Organization (CSO) and Gainesville Cycling Club (GCC) members. If you cycle, ride horses, or hike in the northern portion of San Felasco, please note the following press release and information from park manager Randy Brown:

Press Release for San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park Aerial Herbicide Application

            Between Sept 21 and early October 2010, hikers, horseback riders and off-road cyclists who visit San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park can expect to see a significant resource management project underway. Bike and equestrian trails in northern portions of the preserve will be closed for up to 24 hours during and after the aerial application of herbicide. The aerial application is needed for removal of weeds and exotic grasses in old pastures prior to longleaf pine replanting, which is a part of the preserve?s overall restoration efforts.

Funding is through the Florida Division of Forestry (DOF) which was a recipient of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant for Longleaf Pine Restoration and Fuel Reduction.  The DOF has partnered with the Division of Recreation and Parks to fund longleaf pine reforestation on approximately 80 acres of these old fields to begin restoration of some of the Original Florida?s longleaf forests.  

Closure and reopening information for the affected zones will be posted at appropriate trail heads. Park officials expect the work to be completed by early October.  For further information contact District Biologist Anne Barkdoll at (352)955-2135.

From Randy Brown, park manager:

The spraying will occur during a weekday, so hopefully few visitors will be affected.  It will affect a portion of Tung Nut Loop in the open areas near the old dairy, and the area near Itchy Bottom Lake.  So during that day, except for Cellon Creek Loop and Cottontail trail, the trail system will be closed. 

We will be posting signs at both the bike and horse trailheads prior to and the day of the spraying and at the entrance to the affected trails the day of the spraying.  The trails have to remain closed for 12 hours after the herbicide application, so by the next morning, they can be re-opened.