Sweetwater Creek Watershed Mgmt. Plan 2007 Update--Part 2

CHAPTER 8
8.6.2 Public Lands in the Sweetwater Creek Watershed
A review of existing public lands within the watershed was conducted utilizing GIS metadata for
conservation lands in Florida compiled by the Florida Greenways Planning Team, Department
of Landscape Architecture of the University of Florida based on:
• SWFWMD GIS acquired and proposed land data
• CARL, Conservation Lands 1999, and FNAI Managed areas GIS data (FGDL)
• Hillsborough County ELAPP GIS data
• Atlas of Outstanding Florida Waters
Hillsborough County Parks information provided by the Hillsborough Planning Commission was
also reviewed and utilized for this report. An analysis of the GIS data layers was performed to
approximate proposed and acquired land area. No public lands have been acquired for
conservation purposes in this watershed, giving the Sweetwater Creek watershed a score of 0
in the natural systems evaluation matrix.
8.6.3 Greenways and Trails
Subsection 260.012(1) (2) F.S. (The Florida Greenways and
Trails Act) defines “greenways” as linear open space established
along either a natural corridor such as a riverfront, stream valley,
or ridgeline, or over land along a railroad right-of-way converted
to recreational use, a canal, a scenic road or other route; any
natural or landscaped course for pedestrian of bicycle passage;
an open space connector linking parks, nature reserves, cultural
features, or historic sites with each other and populated areas; or
a local strip or linear park designated as parkway or greenbelt.
The same statute defines “trails” as a linear corridor and any
adjacent support parcel on land or water providing public access
for recreation or authorized alternative modes of transportation.
Greenways can be hard surfaced pathways that permit different recreational uses such as
walking, jogging, skating, and biking, or they can be natural corridors with a simple path along a
stream or riverbank. Many greenways connect destination points such as parks, libraries,
schools, and shopping areas. A utility or drainage ROW, or an abandoned railroad corridor can
be converted to a pedestrian bike or walkway. Conservation areas protecting a community’s
natural resources such as rivers, streams, wetlands, wildlife, and floodways are often included
in greenways. Greenways benefit the community in many ways by providing opportunities for
recreation and alternative transportation, improving environmental protection, providing places
for environmental education, and stimulating economic development. In the Sweetwater Creek
watershed, the Hillsborough County’s Greenway System includes the Town ‘N Country
Greenway.
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Sweetwater Creek Watershed Management Plan