This 88-acre park donated by Arthur “Buddy” Bourlay III in 1999, is an important part of Leesburg’s History. This property is the site of the first steamboat landing, the first Methodist service and was previously owned by the Lee family. Visitors not only can visit a “shot-gun” style Cracker House, but also go birding and view Lake Griffin from the lakeside trails. Thanks to our Sponsors – City of Leesburg, Leesburg Regional Medical Center, Leesburg Historical Society, Ford Press, and Alee Academy.
Management Activities
Staff is dedicated to managing the natural resources by encouraging native species and continually controlling exotic species on the property. Prescribed fire is carefully being introduced to the property as part of the plan for re-establishing natural communities. A native garden has been established adjacent to the parking area to encourage visitors to use native plants in their landscape and to attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees.
Activities
Hiking, Exercise stations, Off-road bicycling, Birdwatching, and Picnicking.
Click Here to View a Map and Photo Tour of Bourlay Hist. Nature Park
Download and View the Bourlay Historic Nature Park Brochure
Located in the rapidly-growing south end of Lake County, this 64-acre preserve now protects a beautiful undisturbed section of waterfront on Lake Louisa, as well as frontage along the Palatlakaha River as it flows north from the lake. A parking area/trailhead and trails allow for passive recreation and exploration of the remnant sandhill plant community and wetlands
Activities: Canoeing, Hiking, Fishing, Picnicking
2 kayaks and 3 canoes are available.
Applications for canoes and kayaks must be submitted two business days prior to the day of use.
Click here to view map and photo tour of Crooked River Preserve
Download and view the LCWA Kayak and Canoe use application
Download and view the Crooked River Preserve brochure
The St. Johns River Water Management District purchased this 2,228-acre property in 1996 as part of the Wekiva-Ocala Greenway Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) project. Acquisition of this site provides protection for Lake Norris’s hardwood swamp and Blackwater Creek, a major tributary of the Wekiva River. The property’s uplands provide important habitat for the threatened black bear and for species of special concern including gopher tortoises and burrowing owls. The Water Authority entered into an agreement with the District to become the lead manager for this site and provide recreational opportunities.
For your safety and the safety of others, please do not paddle south of the Lake Norris Road bridge. The creek is not passable and dangerous conditions exist in this hardwood swamp.
About this property
Lake Norris is a spectacular darkwater lake and the Lake Norris Conservation Area was purchased to protect the extensive hardwood swamp that lies on the western shore of the lake and the shoreline of Black Water Creek, a major tributary of the Wekiva River. The upland portion of the conservation area consists of improved pasture, scrub and planted pine. One of the special highlights of this property is its high concentration of osprey nests. The cypress that ring the outer perimeter of this blackwater lake boasts one of the highest concentrations of nesting osprey in central Florida. Staff at the Boy Scout Camp located on the northern shore of the lake have reported counting more than 100 active nests in the cypress trees that ring the lake. Visitors here may enjoy a short canoe or kayak trip up Blackwater Creek from the trailhead off Lake Norris Road or rent a canoe for the day through the Lake County Water Authority.
Wildlife viewing
Please respect Florida’s wildlife and use caution while visiting district lands. These are wild animals. For your safety, do not approach or feed any wild animal. A habitat for many animals and birds dependent on a wetlands environment, this property expands the Florida black bear corridor. Also found here are osprey, gopher tortoises, alligators and various types of snakes.
Recreational activities
Hiking, wildlife viewing, nature study, fishing, horseback riding, bicycling and canoeing.
Primitive camping by permit from the Lake County Water Authority (LCWA)
Rental canoes are available by contacting the LCWA.
Geocache located on property. Please visit the SJRWMD geocache database for more information.
Access
Access is off Lake Norris Road. For details and to get driving directions from your location, see Google Maps.
Activities: Hiking, Birdwatching, Fishing, Bicycling, Canoeing, Camping, Horseback riding.
4 canoes are available.
Applications for camping and canoes must be submitted two business days prior to the day of use.
Download and View the Lake Norris Conservation Area Trail Map and Map of Conservation Area
Download and View the LCWA Kayak and Canoe Use Application
Download and View the LCWA Camping Permit Application
This property safeguards an impressive and relatively undisturbed natural area consisting of marshes, hardwood swamps, and upland hardwood hammocks. The members of the Florida Trail Association have donated over 1,000 volunteer hours to construct and maintain 4 1/2 miles of foot trails that now provide public access throughout the property.
Activities: Hiking, Canoeing, Camping, Picnicking
4 canoes are available.
Applications for camping and canoes must be submitted two business days prior to the day of use.
Magnolia Island:
Magnolia Island, with primitive camping and trails, is accessible only by canoes and kayaks via the canal system from the Flat Island Boardwalk. Please contact the Water Authority office in Tavares for more information.
Click Here to View a Map and Photo Tour of Flat Island Preserve
Download and View the Flat Island Preserve Brochure
Download and View the LCWA Kayak and Canoe Use Application
Download and View the LCWA Camping Permit Application
The differences in elevation on this 90-acre site, as well as the varying wet conditions and diversity of vegetation, makes this Preserve unique. A continuous flow of water from the seepage slope supports an unusual slope forest and depression marsh at the bottom of the sink. Due to soil and moisture conditions, the mixed forest uplands contain several species of ferns normally found in wetlands. The property is included in the state-wide birding trail network and birders have recorded over 35 species during the winter months.
Activities:
Birdwatching, Hiking, Fitness enthusiasts may also enjoy walking or running the steep trails.
Click Here to View a Map and Photo Tour of Hidden Waters Preserve
Download and View the Hidden Waters Preserve Brochure
Located on the southeast shore of Lake Griffin. This 55-acre property was donated to the Water Authority by the late Arthur ‘Buddy’ Bourlay II for the enjoyment and recreation of the citizens of Lake County.
Activities
Hiking, Fishing, Picnicking, and Birding. This site is accessible for golf carts.
See our New Map and Photo Tour of Sabal Bluff Preserve
Download and View the Sabal Bluff Preserve Brochure
This 1,137-acre site is located at the north end of Lake Yale. The major feature is a 600-acre shallow marsh. Approximately 61% of the property is comprised of forested and herbaceous wetlands (692.2 acres) with the remaining 39% consisting of uplands (444.5 acres). The upland community types found on the Preserve include unimproved pasture, shrub/brushland, mesic hammocks, xeric hammocks and pine flatwoods. Wildlife include sandhill cranes, gopher tortoises, pocket gophers, ring-neck ducks, foxes and scrub jays.
Activities: Birdwatching, Hiking, Horseback Riding and Primitive Camping
Applications for camping must be received two business days prior to the day of use.
See our New Map and Photo Tour of Sawgrass Island Preserve
Download and View the Sawgrass Island Brochure
Download and View the LCWA Camping Permit Application