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.
Lake Apopka North Shore – Lust Road
Contract work to install slope-stabilizing material on Lust Road has been extended for an additional two weeks, through Thursday, Sept. 11. The Lust Road pedestrian gate and Lust Road will be closed to pedestrian traffic Monday through Thursday during this period. This extension will not affect the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, which will remain open on Fridays. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, will also not be impacted. The Lake Apopka Loop Trail remains open and is not affected by this work.
Burrell Lock – temporary closure
The Burrell Lock will be closed beginning Friday, July 18, to facilitate essential construction upgrades. This scheduled closure is part of the District’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and enhancing the efficiency of our waterway systems. During the closure period, access to the Burrell Lock will be restricted to accommodate the necessary construction activities. Burrell Lock is expected to resume operations by this winter. Learn more at www.sjrwmd.com/waterways/upper-ocklawaha-river/locks-dams.
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.
J.P. Hall Bayard Point Conservation Area – Lindsey Lane
Lindsey Lane Timber Sale
Areas within J.P. Hall Conservation Area totaling 191 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. Please use caution while on the white and yellow trails. Logging equipment is working in the area near the main parking area on State Road 16. Contracts allow the work to be conducted through Jan. 16, 2026. A portion of the work will occur within the Wildlife Management Area and could impact hunting.
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.
Newnans Lake Conservation Area – Hatchet Creek Tract
The Newnans Lake Conservation Area North Tract timber sale is 123 acres of second thinning to free up growing space for the best trees. The expiration date is Dec. 19, 2025.
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.
Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area – Marsh Road Timber Sale
Areas within Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area totaling 26 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. A contract extension allows the work to be conducted through Nov. 17, 2025.
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.
Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area
A portion of Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area is undergoing sandhill restoration as part of the District’s long-term forest management and ecological restoration/enhancement plan. The 160-acre restoration area is in the sandhill west of the powerline corridor. Pile burning is anticipated to continue through summer 2025, and prescribed burns will be conducted on an 18- to 36-month cycle to keep the habitat healthy and to enhance native sandhill species. Learn more at www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/black-creek-ravines.
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.