Central Florida's Parks and Gardens Offer an Abundance of Colours, Shapes, and Textures

>

Florida has a superb quantity of biodiversity and nature lovers will take pleasure in the fantastic range of plants discovered in the Sunshine State. On our current trip to Orlando we had a chance to pay a visit to numerous locations with a attractive parks and gardens, such as the Harry P. Leu Gardens and the Historical Bok Sanctuary. Even my excursion on the Scenic Boat Tour in Winter Park brought me up close to some of the fascinating flowers and plants discovered in the Orlando area.

Florida has a mix of subtropical and tropical climates and the region around Orlando are alot more subtropical. Central Florida has a hot, but often stormy climate and experiences many thunderstorms with a frequent risk of hurricanes.

Geographically, the Central Florida region encompasses Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard, and Volusia counties, and some think of Polk and Sumter counties also to be component of Central Florida. This low-lying area is dominated by hundreds of lakes surrounded by marshland. Historically predominant industries consist of cotton, citrus and cattle-raising. The climate favours a great deal of plant and animal species.

Nature lovers will revel in Central Florida's abundant gardens and parks which give them a excellent opportunity to take pleasure in nature up close. Here is a collection of parks and gardens that will give you superb exposure to Central Florida's natural beauty:

Archbold Biological Station P. O. Box 2057, (Old State Road 8), Lake Placid, FL 33862 Phone: (941) 465-2571. "The Station fosters lengthy-term ecological research on native plants and animals of central Florida and also provides environmental education for K-12 kids."

Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, FL 33853-3412 Telephone: (941) 676-1408. "Historic Bok Sanctuary delivers visitors Florida's most abundant
opportunities for aesthetic, cultural and personal enrichment. The lush landscapes of the Olmsted gardens, the majesty and music of the carillon tower and the splendor of Pinewood Estate develop an expertise that inspires all who visit."

Cypress Gardens 2641 South Lake Summit Road, Cypress Gardens, FL 33884 Telephone: (800) 282-2123. "Standing sentinel in the historic gardens is the giant Banyan tree, which was planted in 1939 from a seedling for the duration of the parks early years. Topiary Trail characteristics a collection of colorful topiaries, including a variety of animals such as a rabbit, swan and serpent. The crowning gem in this trail of jewels is the waterfall, a sparkling cascade accented by brilliant floral blossoms. The Plantation Gardens grace the manicured landscape of Snively Mansion and consist of the aromatic herb garden, a glorious rose garden and the butterfly garden adjoining Wings of Wonder."

Disney Wilderness Preserve 6075 Scrub Jay Trail Kissimmee, FL 34759 Telephone: (407) 935-0002. "Fifteen miles south of Walt Disney Planet, in the heart of Central Florida, lies the Disney Wilderness Preserve. The web page, originally the Walker Ranch, is now owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy, a private, non-profit conservation organization that is responsible for the largest network of private conservation lands in the world."

Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens 1920 N. Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803-1537 Telephone: (407) 246-2620. "Miles of paved scenic walkways that take you via garden settings, such as: America's largest Camellia collection outside California and the largest formal rose garden in Florida, a residence museum dating from the 1880's, a palm garden and bamboo garden. New gardens include the Tropical Stream Garden and the new Kitchen Garden with herbs, vegetables and a butterfly garden!"

Highlands Hammock State Park 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring, FL 33872 Phone: (941) 386-6094. "The contrast of the dark swamp waters against the bright trunks of the bare trees is reminiscent of additional northerly forests. White-tailed deer munch their way via the campsites, enjoying the scattering of acorns about the base of various oaks. Bobcat tracks are found each morning in the damp sands along the roadways, and the Barred owls call as soon as the sun goes down. Visitors are enjoying viewing alligators as they soak up the warm sun that follows the cool nighttime temperatures."

Lake Kissimmee State Park 14248 Camp Mack Road, Lake Wales, FL 33853 Telephone: (941) 696-1112. "Florida's cowboy heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida "cow hunters" in an 1876-era cow camp, open 9:30 a.m.-four:30 p.m. weekends and holidays. White-tailed deer, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turkeys, and bobcats have been noticed in the park, located on the shores of lakes Kissimmee, Tiger, and Rosalie. Visitors take pleasure in boating, canoeing, and fishing in the picturesque lakes. Nature students can hike over 13 miles of trails to observe and study the abundant plant and animal life. Six miles of trails are open to equestrians. A big, shaded picnic region with pavilions is available. The park has full-facility campsites, as properly as a primitive camping facility. The youth camping area can accommodate up to 50 people. The dark skies make stargazing a popular nighttime activity for campers."

Ocala National Forest USDA Forest Service, 17147 E. Hwy 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488 Telephone: (352) 625-7470. "The Forest offers 383,573 acres of one of a kind ecological websites, trails, natural springs. There are hundreds of camping sites all through the forest providing everything from full-service campgrounds to alot more rustic internet sites. The National Forest also has designated trails for horseback riding. Hunting is permitted in designated locations where the enforcement of state regulations is strict. Recreation places consist of Alexander Springs, Fore Lake Recreational Area, Juniper Springs, Lake Eaton Loop Trail, Lake Eaton Sink Hole, Mill Dam Recreation Area, Salt Springs and Salt Springs Trail. Specially marked walking/hiking trails are located all through this splendid resource. Lake Eaton Sinkhole and the Lake Eaton Loop are only two of the trails that enable the visitor to discover the location on very easily traveled interpretive trails."

Silver River State Park 7165 N. E. 7th Street, Ocala, FL 34470 Phone: (352) 236-1827. "This park has a lot more than 14 distinct natural communities, dozens of springs, and miles of gorgeous trails. The adjoining Silver Springs attraction houses the headwaters of the Silver River, which flows by way of the park into the Ocklawaha River. The park is household to a pioneer cracker village and the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center. The center is operated by the Marion County School District in cooperation with the park and is open to the public on weekends and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to five:00. p.m. Admission to the Museum is $2.00 per individual.Kids 6 and under are no cost."

Silver Springs P. O. Box 370, (5656 E. SR-40), Silver Springs, FL 34489 Phone: (800) 234-7458. "Silver Springs is a 350 acre nature theme park surrounds the headwaters of the wonderful Silver River, the largest artesian spring formation in the world. Situated 90 miles north of Orlando, just east of Ocala, Florida. Here you can view the underground springs from our renowned glass-bottom boats, where you'll see fish, shellfish, turtles and alligators in water that's up to 80 feet deep and 99.8% pure. Walk the fabulous grounds and encounter the natural habitats of Florida's largest alligators, endangered bears and panthers, Kritter Korral petting zoo, plus an entertaining variety of wildlife shows from Birds of Prey to snakes and reptiles. There are rides and exhibits for all ages in a natural setting of stunning beauty. "

University of Central Florida Arboretum 4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, FL 32816-2368 Phone: (407) 823-2141. "The Arboretum of The University of Central Florida was founded in 1983. From the original 12-acre "quick view" garden with a mix of ornamental and native plants in the pond pine community adjacent the Stockard Conservatory Greenhouse, The Arboretum has grown to nearly 80 acres. North of the 9 acre man-created lake and the Engineering E-two parking lot, trails take visitors via a five-7 acre cypress dome and a picturesque 2-3 acre oak hammock. North of the oak hammock the trail crosses an open area with wild rosemary and sand pine, and oak scrub, returning to the cypress dome. An unmarked trail circles the cypress dome on the north, club mosses and carnivorous sundews lining the sides, before rejoining the primary trail on the southwest side of the dome. Follow the broad white sand trail west through a 'mature' [last burned in the 1950's] sand pine and wild rosemary community for a quick exit to the University Field Residence road, or return on Arboretum trails."

Winter Park Kraft Azalea Gardens, Winter Park, Phone 407-599-3334: Located on Alabama Drive off Palmer Avenue. Thousands of azaleas, tropical shrubs and trees grow luxuriantly along the shores of Lake Maitland where cool breezes and breathtaking sunsets can be found. Azaleas bloom January through March.

While the Orlando region is mostly known for its large-thrill attractions and theme parks, nature lovers will come across plenty of parks, gardens and wilderness regions to delight in. For a lot more facts about the Orlando location get in touch with the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau.