complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: Highlands Hammock State Park
Acres: 9,251.24 Managing
Agency:
Description:
DRP
Current Management Plan
Approved:
Highlands Hammock State Park is one of Florida’s oldest parks, opening to the public in 1931. The
park was established by local citizens and was subsequently built under sponsorship by the Civilian
Conservation Corps. Many visitors enjoy bicycling the scenic three-mile loop drive or hiking along
the park’s nine trails. The boardwalk nature trail through the heart of the park’s hydric hammock
provides one of the Florida state park system’s most unique and fascinating interpretive
experiences. Picnicking, family, group and equestrian camping and ranger-guided tours of the park
are other popular activities.
Accomplishments:
Resource Management
• Significantly reduced backlogged prescribed fire acreage
• Monitoring programs were established or continued for laurel wilt disease, Emerald ash borers,
bromeliads, Chryosopsis highlandsensis, Florida scrub-jays and exotic Dianella lily.
• Completed an erosion control/cutthroat seep restoration project.
Visitor Services
• New interpretive programs- Best of Times/Worst of Times (living history), Exploration Station
(hands on educational display) and ranger talks/presentations were developed.
Capital Improvements
• A historic preservation project for CCC era buildings was approved and funded
Other
• Created new DVDs focusing on CCC-era history in the park (CCC Chapter)
• Five festivals, twelve outdoor concerts and eighteen 5K/10K/Half Marathon events were held
during the reporting period, including the largest 5K race in Highlands County.
• Hosted Volunteer Florida Commission meeting at the park.
210
2007