The Heagy-Burry Boat Ramp in northern Marion County, a popular access point for boaters and anglers to Orange Lake, will be among the county’s newest parks to be upgraded thanks to a planned nearly $1.9 million renovation .
District commissioners approved the project earlier this year and adjusted budgeting for it at their meeting last week to provide appropriate grants and funds to convert the boat ramp to two lanes and implement more accessible features and other renovations.
“It’s been on our project list for a long time and the need has been there for a long time, so it’s exciting for us to get it going,” Parks and Recreation Director Jim Couillard told the Star Banner. “We’re excited to be able to do this for the community.”
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Lots of upgrades planned, rudimentary ramp, park
The park, which is a little less than 9 acres, is located south of McIntosh at 191st 5040 NW. Its main features are a boat ramp and a fishing dock on Orange Lake.
“Right now it’s a limestone parking lot with a ramp with a portal up there,” Couillard said. “It’s just about time to modernize it and make it fit for the long haul. We are very proud of our water parks.”
He said the ramp is considered a “complex ramp” and despite its popularity, the condition may deter some boaters who would otherwise like to use the lake.
“There are some issues with it being slippery at times or having some bumps so it’s difficult to salvage a wet boat trailer,” he noted.
The 2016 Parks and Recreation Master Plan for Marion County also described a “rudimentary” and “cracking” boat dock and dirt parking lot, although there are picnic tables and a fishing dock in good condition. It summarized that “the park lacks the amenities to attract users looking for a traditional park experience.”
Couillard explained that the boat ramp will be rebuilt, rotated and widened to two lanes. There will be accessible gangways leading to floating courtesy docks similar to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant docks at Hope Boat Ramp and Carney Island. The fishing platform will also be moved and realigned, and the shoreline will be stabilized with retaining walls.
“Upland, we’re going to add a bathroom facility, ADA boat trailer parking and general public parking, and then paved parking,” he said. “Then we have plans for the future to expand the parking lot so that it can be a base for fishing tournaments.”
The restored Orange Lake is a popular fishing and recreation spot
Heagy-Burry is the only boat ramp that allows access to Orange Lake when the water level drops, unlike other Alachua County or private ramps. Covering 12,550 acres, it is the largest lake in north-central Florida.
“Orange Lake went through a huge habitat restoration project with Fish and Wildlife a few years ago, and the water quality at Orange Lake is just amazing,” Couillard said. “It’s good for fishing, it’s good for airboating, it’s good for duck hunting, there’s a lot of really cool aquatic activities out there.”
Orange Lake generates an estimated $2 million in economic impact annually through outdoor recreation.
“It’s being used very well, especially in the local communities in this area,” he said. “We’re getting people from Alachua County to use it. I know people from the Tampa area who go there to hunt ducks, so it’s well known.”
The total amount allocated to the project is $1,878,666. Parks and Recreation provided $909,402 for its share, which comes from user fees and not taxes. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission awarded a Sport Fish Restoration Grant totaling $969,264, or 53.1% interest.
There is no timeline for the project yet, but Couillard says Kimley Horn, the registered engineer, is evaluating the current county permits for Heagy-Burry and ensuring compliance with the Land Development Code.
“Once they’re done and we have a proper archaeological record, we’ll bid,” he said. “It will be a long-term project. I’m thinking nine months.”
Ray Wayside Improvements in progress
At Ray Wayside Park near Silver Springs, meanwhile, plans approved last year include replacing the two boat ramps, replacing the wooden docks with a floating dock system, building new toilets and adding an accessible kayak launch and fishing platform.
This project is currently in the planning stage and the construction money will be available on October 1st.
Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com.