Cypress Lakes Preserve Update (Tide for a Cause ESL Series)

 
 
 

Updates at Cypress Lakes Preserve

  • Capital Improvement Projects have been approved for 5 years at Cypress Lakes Preserve.  These include access improvements which are both needed and will support Hernando County in satisfying special grant management conditions associated with the acquisition of the Preserve. The projects are; 

  • Completion of parking lot improvements which include the expansion of the parking area behind fire station #8 and construction of a new parking area (main parking) at the intersection of Ridge Manor Boulevard and Olancha Road. These improvements now allow for safe designated parking areas that are highly visible to the public.  Both parking areas have been fenced in for continued site security of the Preserve. 

  • Pending installation of a trailhead kiosk, which will identify key features about the preserve, a trail map with QR scanner for mobile map access, and information about the Florida National Scenic Trail that runs 1.5 miles through the Preserve.   

  • Pending installation of a 12’x16’ covered pavilion with picnic tables to allow Preserve users a comfortable picnicking and resting area. 

  • Planned vault-style restroom facility. 

  • Planned engineering, design, and construction of a boardwalk and observation platform into Cypress Lake. 

  • Community projects that have occurred in the past year include working with Springstead High School Coastal Club to install trail markers identifying the Florida Trail, Hiking Trails, and Biking Trails throughout the 331 acres preserve. Another project that is in the early planning stages is to design and construct a birding blind with assistance from Hernando Audubon. 

About Cypress Lakes Preserve

Cypress Lakes Preserve was the first property acquired by the ESL program, so it is fitting to be the first Preserve featured in A Tide for a Cause! It is 331 acres located in Ridge Manor, FL, and is comprised of 8 natural vegetative communities. Five of which are designated by the Florida Natural Area Inventory (FNAI) as imperiled. The Preserve is adjacent to the Withlacoochee River and hosts several threatened and/or endangered species such as Gopher Tortoises, Indigo Snakes, and the Florida Mouse. 

The ESL program has been working hard to manage and restore scrub habitat, home to the Florida Scrub Jay, which is an endemic species to the State. In addition, significant public access improvements for hiking, birding, photography, and other passive recreation have been made. There are currently 4+ miles of hiking trails at Cypress Lakes Preserve including a segment of the Florida Trail which extends from the Everglades to the State line in the Panhandle. All of this can be accessed from the newly improved parking at 33241 Ridge Manor Boulevard.

 

Visit Cypress Lakes Preserve

Address: 33241 Ridge Manor Boulevard

Directions: State Road 50/98 and Ridge Manor Boulevard in eastern Hernando County.  The entrance to the unimproved parking area is behind the Fire Station on SR 50/98.

Contact Hernando county ESL Program

Website: www.HernandoCounty.us/ESL

Instagram: @esl_hernando

Email: MSinger@co.hernando.fl.us

 
Allisa Baboresl, hernando, florida adventure coast, Environment, cypress lakes