complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Unit Name: O’Leno State Park and River Rise Preserve State Park
Acres:
Description:
Oleno: 1,741.16
River Rise:
4,481.73
Managing
Agency:
DRP
251
Current Management Plan
Approved:
One of Florida’s first state parks, O’Leno was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in
the 1930s. Visitors can picnic at one of the pavilions, fish in the river or hike the nature trails.
Canoes and bicycles are also available. Family camping, a primitive group camp and a developed
group camp (CCC-era structures) provide ample camping opportunities at the park. After
disappearing into a sinkhole in Oleno State Park, the Santa Fe River reappears in the River Rise
Preserve State Park. Fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and trail recreation and equestrian camping
are activities enjoyed at the preserve. Since management of these two state park units is
integrated under one management staff, they are combined in this single narrative.
Accomplishments:
Resource Management
• Reduced the prescribed fire backlog acreage.
• Planted 126 acres of longleaf pine.
• Began Bible Camp Road hydrological restoration project.
• Implemented annual monitoring of all 64 cultural sites in both parks.
Visitor Services
• Tripled the number of interpretive programs provided for visitors.
• Expanded annual special events.
• Created Nature Center out of Old Administration Office.
• Completed Town of Leno Grist Mill Pavilion with CSO.
• Established the 4 th CCC Monument in Florida.
• Increased annual attendance by 5 percent.
Other
• Volunteer maintenance of all 34 miles of multi-use trail system.
2003