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Conner Preserve Grand Opening Set

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By SHERRI LONON

IN THE LOOP

Published: January 14, 2009

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is ready to unveil its $9.7 million, 2,980-acre Conner Preserve to the public. An official grand opening is set for Jan. 16 starting at 10 a.m.

Located about 3.5 miles east of U.S. 41 on State Road 52, the district property serves multiple purposes. Not only has it enabled the district to restore and preserve a large tract of land in central Pasco, it also provides residents with an expansive recreational area, said Robyn Felix, spokeswoman for Swiftmud.

The land was used as a private ranch in the past. About 43 percent of its natural uplands had been converted to pasture and pine plantation. The district is working to restore much of the property.

Today, visitors to Conner Preserve will find a natural park that includes opportunities for bird-watching, hiking, equestrian and biking trails and picnic areas. The property includes sandhill ridges, freshwater marshes, cypress sloughs, mixed uplands and pine flatwoods. The preserve also contains the headwaters of Five Mile Creek. Some of the property is accessible only on foot due to ongoing habitat restoration.

The Conner Preserve is envisioned to eventually connect to the Starkey Wilderness Cypress Creek preserves, Felix said.

Although the preserve has been opened for public use for a while, the grand opening has been set to let people know about the property now that trails have been marked and restoration efforts are well under way, Felix said.

"We want to make the public aware there are all kinds of great conservation lands near where they live," she said. Properties like the Conner Preserve are free to visit.

The grand opening event is part of the district's push to launch its new "Get Outside" campaign. Through the campaign, it plans to bring attention to preserve areas such as Conner.

"We really want to encourage people to get outside and enjoy public conservation lands and understand why they are purchased," Felix said.

Swifmud buys land to "protect our water resources, to prevent flooding (and to) preserve wildlife habitats," she said. "Getting outside and experiencing the property (gives you) a better appreciation for why those properties are purchased. Once we acquire them, they are preserved for future generations."

The formal grand opening ceremony, which takes place at 11:30 a.m., will include district officials, Pasco County commissioners and a number of other dignitaries. The event is open to anyone. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and to wear casual, outdoor attire.

The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Portable restroom facilities are located near the entrance and by the Bay City Flyers model airplane field, which also is located on the site. Equestrians are required to obtain a free day-use permit and must have proof of a horse's current negative Coggins test. In the future, the park will be open to campers.

For more information on the district's conservation lands, visit swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/.

Editor Sherri Lonon may be reached at (813) 948-4287 or at slonon@mediageneral.com.

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