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Archive for May 23rd, 2009AHorseBlog.com – Lake Butler to Palatka Horseback Riding Rail Trail Needs AssistanceThe Palatka to Lake Butler or Lake Butler to Palatka trail in NorthEast FLorida has approximately six miles of paved trail which transverses the southern tip of Clay County. The Clay County department of recreation has just completed a pavilion and hitching post for horses at the trail head/county park – Twin Lakes County Park. This is a wonderful facility and provides a beginning point for anyone wanting to ride the entire approximately 26 miles from Keystone Heights, FL to just outside of Palatka, FL. The main thing needed for this facility to become a true jewel is the involvement of the equestrian community to clean a pathway beside the trail where it is paved and to continue the clearing and development for the rest of the unpaved trail to Palatka and/or Lake Butler. If this trail is cleared and developed it would provide approximately 60 miles of “off-road” equestrian trails. While there may be funds available in the state stimulus bill, most of the work involved would only be clearing the brush beside the old railroad bed. As an additional bit of information, this trail facility connects to the Gold Head Branch State Park north of Keystone Heights where an equestrian facility also exists, and where camping is provided. Another bit of information – there are opportunities for the purchase/development of private equestrian camping facilities adjacent to the trail. If some organization or individual has the financial resources and inclination, the opportunity is there for the development of a complete equestrian camping facility in NE Florida that could be used all year due to our moderate winters. I, Rick Bebout, am the Founding President of the organization that lead the effort to purchase this abandoned rail way and I want to see it developed and used to its full potential. Please consider disseminating this information to anyone you know that may be interested in assisting. You may email me at r.s.bebout@gmail.com for more information and to provide assistance in getting this trail completed! Thanks in advance for any efforts you can provide. Also read article at http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=6841 AHorseBlog.com – First Annual Clay Prepares, Preparedness ExpoOn June 13th we will have the first annual Clay Prepares, preparedness expo. The time on this will be from 9am to 1pm. The location will be at the Teachers Training center at Fleming Island High School. This event will bring many response agencies here so the public can walk through and gather pertinent information in preparing their home and community. Agencies like the Salvation Army, Emergency Management, Health Department, American Red Cross, Sheriff’s office, CERT, and many others will have tables set up handing out information. There will also be static displays for the kids of fire trucks, sheriff’s department vehicles and other response agencies. I would like to put the word out and ask the team leaders to see if anyone is interested in passing out information that day. This is the first one so our expectations are low on a turn out but we are looking for this to become an annual event. I will send a flyer out as I receive it. There will be drawings for preparedness items like weather radios and many other items, so please pass the word and come assist if you can. Please contact your team leader to let them know about your interests please. John Ward Click to download Clay Prepares Expo Flyer |
