Ocala Wetland Recharge Park opens Monday

Photo by Dave Miller

Photo by Dave Miller

The City of Ocala recently completed construction for the new conservation area known as the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park, 2105 NW 21st St.  The park will officially open to the public Monday.  Hours of operation will be sunrise to sunset daily.

The project broke ground in June 2018 and was completed in 27 months. 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 Ocala Wetland Recharge Park features educational kiosks, 2.5 miles of walking trails and scenic boardwalks. This environmental landmark receives approximately 3 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 newly polished water will recharge or give water directly back to the aquifer. An additional benefit of the park will be outdoor passive recreation, indigenous flora and fauna, and educational components.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Water Resources department at 352-351-6772 or visit Ocala Wetland Recharge Park on Facebook and Instagram.