published: Saturday, November 15, 2008

Proposed park closing a sign of the times

By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

LAKE PLACID -- Governor Charlie Christ asked all state agencies earlier this year to cut 10 percent from their proposed budgets for 2009.

The Division of Recreation and Parks has targeted 19 state parks for temporary closure in order to meet the governor's request.

Lake Placid's Lake June-In-Winter State Park is on the list.

Located on the east side of Lake June-In-Winter at the end of Daffodil Street, the park protects an area of unspoiled "scrub", the natural habitat which has distinguished the Lake Wales Ridge since primeval times.

It is a harsh landscape, dominated by scrub oak and palmetto, that is beautiful at the same time.

Growth is typically stunted because of the extremes of wet and dry, the porous sandy soil and frequent brush fires.

The park has no development except for a half-mile nature trail and one picnic area with a shelter and some picnic tables.

There are no grills or rest rooms, but hikers may use the white sand fire lanes.

The park does provide the opportunity to experience some of Florida's rarest plants and animals in a remote wilderness setting. Ospreys and bald eagles are often sighted and bobcats have been seen along with scrub jays and gopher tortoises -- both endangered -- not to mention the many lizards, mice and insects.

However, becausethe park is relatively new and unknown, has so few amenities, and attracts a more adventuresome sightseer, it's seldom visited, which is exactly how it ended up on the temporary closure list.

"We fully intend to re-open the 19 parks potentially facing closure when the state's economy improves," Jessica Kemper, information director for the Florida Parks Service, said.

"If closed, (the park) will remain under the supervision of a full-time caretaker."

The state legislature is responsible for the final decision, which will be made during the 2009 legislative session.

Other neighboring parks to be affected are the Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Park in Polk County and the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park in Okeechobee County.