The Heagy-Burry Boat Ramp on Orange Lake is officially open to the public following nearly two years of renovations.
Marion County Parks and Recreation hosted the event on Monday, June 22, celebrating the completion of a major overhaul at the park.
Located at 5040 NW 191st Place in Reddick, the park serves as the only public access point to Orange Lake within Marion County.
During Tuesday’s ceremony, multiple officials, including Marion County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Carl Zalak, Parks and Recreation Director Jim Couillard, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Regional Freshwater Fisheries Administrator Allen Martin, highlighted how the upgraded facility will benefit the surrounding community.
The completion of the project marks the end of an extensive renovation process that initially broke ground in July 2024.
The improvements at the Orange Lake site include the construction of a new two-lane boat ramp, a paved parking lot, an accessible floating dock system, sidewalks, and a permanent restroom facility.
The multi-million dollar project required significant engineering adjustments during its construction phase.
Earlier this year, county commissioners approved a timeline extension and a $162,710 change order for the floating dock system.
Due to the specific conditions of the lake’s bottom strata, contractors had to substitute standard six-inch wood pilings with 14 ten-inch structural steel dock pilings, which required specialized marine construction equipment.
The total cost of the project ended up at over $2.7 million. Funding for the upgrades was provided through a cooperative effort between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Service Grant, the local Pennies for Parks bond, and the Marion County Parks and Recreation Fees Fund.
With the facility now fully open, residents and visitors can utilize the new ramp for boating, fishing, and general recreation on Orange Lake.
What are your thoughts on the newly reopened Heagy-Burry Boat Ramp? Share them in a comment below or write a letter to the editor.
What are your thoughts on the renovations at Heagy-Burry Park? Share them in a comment below or write a letter to the editor.