complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
Acres: 2,365.59 Managing
Agency:
Description:
DRP
Current Management Plan
Approved:
Located on rolling sandhills in Central Florida, the park features a deep ravine where a seepage
spring forms Gold Head Branch. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing along the
park’s nature trails and a three-mile stretch of the Florida National Scenic Trail. For aquatic
recreation, visitors can swim, fish or canoe in the lake. Family camping, cabins and primitive backcountry
camping facilities are also provided. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is one of
Florida’s oldest state parks. It was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great
Depression of the 1930’s.
Accomplishments:
Resource Management
• Restored 50 acres of scrub by mowing in preparation for prescribed burning.
• Improved hydrology of the steephead ravine by removing ravine overlook and forming berm to
re-direct run-off.
Visitor Services
• New special event ‘Family Fun Fest’ developed by the park’s CSO.
• New Haunted Hike program developed by the CSO.
Capital Improvements
• Upgraded two rustic cabins with energy efficient AC units.
• Upgraded all 16 cabins with energy efficient refrigerators.
Other
• Joined in partnership with City of Keystone Heights to create a community wildfire plan.
244
2010