Trails in Ocala Wetland Recharge Park closed for sinkhole repair

The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park is seen from above in this file photo. [Dave Miller/File]

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Posted April 4, 2024 | By Caroline Brauchler
caroline@ocalagazette.com

Some trails in the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park will be closed this week due to an open subsidence, or land sinking, in one of the park’s three water cells.

The park, at 2105 NW 21^st St., is designed to recharge the Upper Floridian Aquifer using public access reused water, said city of Ocala spokesperson Ashley Dobbs.

“When a subsidence occurs, the recharging process occurs more rapidly as the water drains directly into the UFA instead of slowly percolating,” Dobbs said. “Subsurface subsidences are an anticipated component of the park due to the karst topography below ground.”

The subsidences are repaired by slowly filling the holes with clay and dirt. Costs for these repairs are limited, and accounted for in the park’s annual operating budget, Dobbs said.

“The park will remain open to visitors; however, some trails and educational exhibits will be closed to accommodate equipment and crews. The parking lot, public bathrooms, and drinking water fountains will remain open,” according to a city press release.

The repairs are expected to be completed next week, Dobbs said.

In the meantime, visitors should obey trail closures and avoid the subsidences.

“Throughout the repairs, we continue to supply water to the other cells, encouraging wildlife to temporarily inhabit the adjacent cells,” Dobbs said. “Additionally, our team is working carefully and efficiently to complete the repairs in a timely process to reduce the stress to wildlife.”

To find out which trails are closed, see the above map of the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park.