THE LAND:
Marion County -- 1,657 square miles
The City of Ocala -- 30 square miles
Average Elevation -- 100 Feet

OVER FIFTY MAJOR EMPLOYER: Call for our list 1-352-266-6180

CITY PARKS - 2 ** COUNTY PARKS - 20  ** STATE & FEDERAL
PARKS - 6

MAJOR RIVERS - 4

CULTURAL:
DANCE AND BALLET COS. - 4 ** MUSEUMS & GALLERIES - 9 ** MUSIC & SYMPHONY - 8 ** THEATRE - 3

POPULATION:
City of Ocala -- 46 thousand people
Marion County -- 250 thousand people

GOLF COURSES - 14
TWO MAJOR HOSPITALS serve Marion County -- Monroe Regional Medical Center and Ocala Regional Medical Center

SCHOOL BOARD PHONE NO. AND INFORMATION - 352 620-7700

AVERAGE HOME SALE PRICE -- $81,000

FLORIDA OFFERS A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION -- $25,000 OFF THE TAX-ASSESSED VALUE. CALL FOR DETAILS 352 368-8200

Cross Florida Greenway — Baseline to Marshall Swamp
Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway occupies much of the land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal. This 110-mile corridor encompasses a variety of natural habitats and offers an array of trails and recreation areas where visitors can experience Florida’s premier greenway.

The Baseline to Marshall Swamp area of the Cross Florida Greenway offers two trails, providing visitors the opportunity to experience a paved urban trail, or escape to a secluded hiking trail that weaves through the cypress swamp and hardwood hammock communities of Marshall Swamp. Access to both is just minutes from downtown Ocala and Silver Springs. (This information has been provided by Cross Florida Greenways and Trails website)

The Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest
The Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest is certified as Florida National Scenic Trail, and has been called the “crown jewel” of the Florida Trail system. The entire length of the trail in the National Forest is also designated as part of the Florida Statewide Greenways and Trails System. The trail traverses a range of natural communities including extensive stands of longleaf pines, and scattered communities of sand pines, other short leaf pines, and hardwoods. The trail also skirts open prairies and ponds that are excellent for viewing wildlife. (This information has been provided by Cross Florida Greenways and Trails website)

Withlacoochee River Canoe Trail
The Withlacoochee River Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. The river flows out of the Green Swamp in west central Florida. The trail twists and bends through the sandhill area as it moves northwest. Hardwood forests with an understory of cabbage palm and saw palmetto border the river. Further downstream the hills disappear as you paddle through lush swampland with cypress, gum and maple adorned with air plants. The overhanging limbs form a lacy canopy. Much of the trail flows through the Withlacoochee State Forest, but there are scattered residential areas along the river. The variety of habitats offers opportunities for nature study. Wildlife is abundant along the river. Deer, turkey, otter and alligator are common. Wood duck, wood stork, white ibis and anhinga can also be seen along the trail. The takeout is at the bridge on US 41 before Lake Rousseau. Camping is available at Silver Lake Recreation Area. (This information has been provided by Cross Florida Greenways and Trails website)

Withlacoochee Trail State Park
At 46 miles in length, the Withlacoochee Trail is presently the longest paved rail trail in Florida. The trail corridor runs through small towns, ranches, and natural areas as it makes its way south from Citrus Springs to Trilby. The trail traverses a region that offers many other outstanding recreational opportunities. Among the recreational highlights nearby are the unpaved trails in the Croom area of the Withlacoochee State Forest, the Withlacoochee River (South) Canoe Trail, and Fort Cooper State Park. The Withlacoochee Trail will eventually join many other trails in the region, becoming part of the Central Florida Loop. (This information has been provided by Cross Florida Greenways and Trails website)

Cross Florida Greenway — CR 484 to 49th Avenue
Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway occupies much of the land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal. This 110-mile corridor encompasses a variety of natural habitats and offers an array of trails and recreation areas where visitors can experience Florida’s premier greenway.

This region of the Cross Florida Greenway is dominated by longleaf pine sandhill and sand pine scrub natural communities. The area is also site of an historic "digging." Remnants of the former canal project, these features are wide linear areas that were literally carved out of the landscape to create the canal. Today, they exist as reforested, small-scale valleys. Because the bottoms of "diggings" are comprised of clayey soils that hold moisture, they are dominated by loblolly pines that prefer wetter areas than longleaf or sand pines. In many areas, they also offer challenging terrain for trail goers. (This information has been provided by Cross Florida Greenways and Trails website)

Cross Florida Greenway — 49th Avenue to Land Bridge

Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway occupies much of the land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal. This 110-mile corridor encompasses a variety of natural habitats and offers an array of trails and recreation areas where visitors can experience Florida’s premier greenway.

The trails in the 49th Avenue to Land Bridge region provide access to the west entrance of the Interstate 75 Land Bridge. This bridge was completed in 2000, providing a permanent trail connection across the six lane highway, and making safe passage for hikers, equestrians and bicyclists a reality. This region of the Cross Florida Greenway is dominated by longleaf pine sandhill and sand pine scrub natural communities. The area is also site of an historic "digging." Remnants of the former canal project, these features are wide linear areas that were literally carved out of the landscape to create the canal. Today, they exist as reforested, small-scale valleys. Because the bottoms of "diggings" are comprised of clayey soils that hold moisture, they are dominated by loblolly pines that prefer wetter areas than longleaf or sand pines. In many areas, they also offer challenging terrain for trail goers. (This information has been provided by Cross Florida Greenways and Trails website)

Cross Florida Greenway — Land Bridge Trails
Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway occupies much of the land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal. This 110-mile corridor encompasses a variety of natural habitats and offers an array of trails and recreation areas where visitors can experience Florida’s premier greenway.

The Land Bridge Trailhead was completed in 2001, providing a brand new access point to reach the Cross Florida Greenway Land Bridge. The Land Bridge was completed in 2000, providing a permanent trail connection across Interstate 75 and making safe passage for hikers, equestrians and bicyclists a reality. This project was developed and constructed in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation and was funded through Federal Department of Transportation gas tax revenues that are earmarked for non-motorized transportation enhancements. The bridge is fully landscaped with native Florida vegetation. The quickest access to the Land Bridge is via the hiking, equestrian and biking trails indicated on the map. For a driver's viewpoint of the Land Bridge, drive on I-75, south of Exit 350 (SR 200, Ocala) and north of Exit 341 (CR 484, Belleview). Drivers are advised to not stop along the Interstate except for an emergency. (This information has been provided by Cross Florida Greenways and Trails website)

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway — Inglis Island Trails
Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway occupies much of the land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal. This 110-mile corridor encompasses a variety of natural habitats and offers an array of trails and recreation areas where visitors can experience Florida’s premier greenway.

The Inglis Island Trails are located in the Cross Florida Greenway’s West Region. Inglis Island was developed as part of the construction of the Inglis Lock and Barge Canal during the 1960’s. This island, approximately 1200 acres, is situated between Inglis Lock and Dam. The recreation area at the dam provides access to the trails. The trails offer views of the island’s natural communities which include cypress swamp, pine flatwoods and mixed hardwood hammocks. (This information has been provided by Cross Florida Greenways and Trails website)