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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala preparing for opening of conservation area at Wetland Recharge Park

The City of Ocala recently completed construction on the new conservation area at the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park and is gearing up for the official opening.

The park, which broke ground in June 2018 and was completed in 27 months, will officially open to the public on Monday, Sept. 21. Hours of operation will be sunrise to sunset daily.

The 60 acres of conservation area will provide greenspace for the west side of Ocala. Funding for construction of the park was made possible through grants received from the St. John’s River Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Legislative Springs Funding, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Recreation and Trail Program, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection 319 Non-point Source Pollution.

The park features educational kiosks, 2.5 miles of walking trails and scenic boardwalks. It receives approximately three million gallons of treated wastewater and stormwater daily.

The engineered ecological system of the park will reduce nutrients and other pollutants in the water it receives. The now polished water will recharge or give water directly back to the aquifer. An additional benefit of the park will be outdoor passive recreation and the educational components.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Water Resources department at (352) 351-6772.