Alachua Conservation TrustAlachua Conservation Trust

ACT protects the natural, historic, scenic and recreational resources in and around Alachua County, Florida

12 West University Avenue Suite 201 :: Gainesville, Florida 32601 :: Phone & Fax 352.373.1078

By John Moran
By John Moran

City of Gainesville Acquires Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park with Major Gift

Posted on Jun 01, 2008 - 08:05 AM

The City of Gainesville will soon have a new nature park, made possiblethrough a grant of $3.6 million to the City from Florida Communities Trust. The landowner, Home Depot, also made the park possible though a bargain sale of the land and the creation of a trust fund earmarked for park improvements.

The new 70-acre park, to be called Hogtown Creek Headwaters, contains a unique seepage area that forms the headwaters of Hogtown Creek, the primary watershed of the City of Gainesville. Water seeps up from the ground, then numerous small rivulets braid together to form a main channel. By the time the south flowing creek leaves the park property, it has formed a deeply incised ravine. The creek’s clean water makes the park an important breeding area for many aquatic creatures. The City proposed Florida Communities Trust acquire the park in 2006. The landowner, Home Depot, had acquired a much larger site than was necessary for their new store. Home Depot agreed to sell the remaining property as a park, and to provide the City’s share of matching funds by reducing the cost of the project by 25 percent. In addition, the proceeds from the sale of a small outparcel to an adjoining business were also donated to the City. The grant proposal, real estate transaction and gift agreement were negotiated by Alachua Conservation Trust, Inc., a local land trust. The property closed on May 19, 2008.

The park land is a mosaic of pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks and cypress domes. The City will develop portions of the nature park with trails for hikers and bicyclists. A playground, picnic tables, boardwalks and ther park amenities will be added in the future. This acquisition is the first new City park since the Cofrin Nature Park was purchased in 2003. An official opening date has not yet been announced for the park. “The department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs is truly excited to begin work on creating this nature park,” Director Steve Phillips said. “Not only will this property provide abundant opportunities for Gainesville residents to enjoy our natural areas, it will also help conserve land that is critical to our ecosystem.”

A ceremonial real estate closing will be held at the Gainesville City Commission meeting on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 12 noon. Representatives from Home Depot, Florida Communities Trust, Alachua Conservation Trust and the City will be on hand.