Like towering cypress trees dating back centuries, several features of the spring hammock reserve have stood the test of time. Other artificial features, such as the boardwalk, were problems with weathering hurricanes and fallen trees.
So, Seminole County has installed a new 1,400-foot boardwalk leading to Lake Jessup as part of a $2 million improvement project that includes paving the Osprey Trail and installing a footbridge in Soldier Creek.
Accessibility was in front of the mind when planning an upgrade to a natural outdoor space.
“One of the things we focused on was making sure the ADA was accessible. The new Spring Hammock Trail is accessible from the ADA parking lot that we went all the way to the end of the boardwalk.” “There are very few trails like it all the way through. It starts with the Highlands and the hammocks and then goes through the swamps all the way to the lake.”
Now, the 8-foot wide asphalt trails spread along the way, with ancient cypress trees ranging from accessible parking to the promenade. The round trip of about two miles requires about an hour of hike at a normal pace, but it’s worth seeing the view along the way.
During the trek there are several interesting points, including a new promenade that takes visitors to an ancient cypress tree with nearby benches along the path of paved trails.
Its towering Cypress-like trees helped Spring Hammock Preserve join the Old-Growth Forest Network, a national nonprofit that aims to designate one native protected forest in all US counties that can maintain traditionally protected forests. Public land is the first forest in central Florida to have received such a designation. The next closest forest is Highland Hammock State Park, near Sebring.
“One of the focus of that big 1,400-foot boardwalk is actually moving through the marsh and highlighting as many large trees as you can find,” Hickok said. “It’s a large area of ancient forests in the middle of the city.”
Spring Hammock Preserve is also a place of many memories for school children who grew up in Seminole County public schools. Fifth graders take part in a “mud walk” at the reserve and do field trips to study bugs and fish. New footbridges and coming down to the soldiers will help make these trips possible.
“They literally walk them through the marsh. It was really fun while we built around them,” Hickok said. “We could see a lot of groups. It’s just a smile.”
Central Floridians are grateful to notice and appreciate the change to one of Seminole County’s most popular hiking trails. Seminole County is branded as “a natural choice for Florida.”
“I spent a lot of time there while we were doing this. From almost a year’s build to the end. “It’s nothing more than a rave review.”
The project was funded in part by Seminole County’s Penny Sales Tax, which helped the county match a $1 million grant from the U.S. Internal and Florida Environmental Protection Agency.
Spring Hammock Preserve is part of a 1,500-acre property that includes Soldiers Creek Park and Big Tree Park, as well as part of the Cross Seminole Trail and Florida National Scenic Trail.
Heacock said improvements to the trails will help increase access to trail users of all abilities.
“This is an opportunity that many people will never get due to mobility issues. This is a trail that is accessible to the ADA, and it’s not an opportunity for you to see where you are,” he said. “You can take your mobility scooter all the way to Lake Ejap. Where else can you do that?”
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If you’re going
Spring Hammock Preserve is open every day from dawn until dusk on the 2985 Osprey Trail in Longwood. The trails are open to hiking, cycling, bird watching, fishing, photography and picnicking. Pets caught in a string are permitted. More details: Seminolecountyfl.gov
