Recreation announcements and property closures
Following is a list of properties that are closed or have portions closed due to ongoing land management activities. We regret the temporary inconvenience, but the closures are necessary for public safety. If you have concerns or comments about any of these activities, please contact us at landmgmt@sjrwmd.com or
386-329-4401.
Burrell Lock – temporary closure
The Burrell Lock, located in the Upper Ocklawaha River Basin, will reopen for boat traffic on Monday, Feb. 16, following a scheduled maintenance closure. The temporary closure was part of the District’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving the performance, safety and reliability of our waterway systems. Crews worked on essential construction and maintenance work to ensure the lock continues operating efficiently for years to come. For more information about the District’s navigational locks, please visit www.sjrwmd.com/waterways/upper-ocklawaha-river/locks-dams/.
Blue Cypress Conservation Area
The area along the L-77 West Levee in the Blue Cypress Water Management Area, also known as Lake Garcia, has been designated an idle speed zone. Signs have been posted on property and are located at the motorboat and airboat ramps of the 512 recreation area. The idle speed zone extends 300 feet east of the L-77 West levee. To assist boaters navigate around the work area and in identifying the no wake zone, the District has installed orange buoys with strobing lights in Lake Garcia.
This idle speed zone has been temporarily established to alleviate erosion at the levee toe and will remain in place for approximately two years as the District works on planned reinforcements to the levee and littoral zone.
See recreational map for other areas to visit in the area.
St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
Structure 157 (S-157) located along Canal 54 (C-54) in St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park is now open to the public after major construction rehabilitation work to the structure. Please be aware that the downstream (east) wingwalls will remain closed off and inaccessible to the public for safety reasons.
Additional repairs will be made to the east wingwalls in the future (schedule TBD). During the future construction phase, public access to S-157, including the manatee overlook and spillway, will be closed until repairs are complete.
Please monitor this page for updates.
Lake Apopka North Shore – Conrad Road
Conrad Road, between Lust Road and the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, will be closed until further notice for contract work. The Loop Trail and Lust Road will remain open.
Silver Springs Forest Conservation Area – Timber Sale
Areas within Silver Springs Forest Conservation Area totaling 330 acres (see map) will undergo a pine thinning to reduce tree density. This work will improve growing space for the best quality trees, thus maintaining and improving forest health. When work is under way, please watch for log trucks entering and exiting the property. Contracts allow for work to be conducted through Feb. 12, 2026. The project area is within the Wildlife Management Area and work could impact hunting.
J.P. Hall Bayard Point Conservation Area
Road construction for the First Coast Expressway continues on State Road 16, making access to the J.P. Hall Bayard Point Conservation Area trailhead parking area difficult to spot. The entrance road to the parking area is 0.4 miles east of Owens Road or 1.2 miles west of Susan Drive in Clay County. Please see the Google map link on the property description web page for directions.