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Greenways and Parks Program

Overview
The goal of the Greenways and Parks Program is to embrace the greenway concept through the Volusia County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map and the Recreation and Open Space Element of the Volusia County Comprehensive Plan and to link major parks and all of Volusia’s communities with a major recreational trail.

What are Greenways?
Greenways are corridors of protected open space that are managed for conservation and/or recreation purposes. They follow natural land and water features, like ridges or rivers, or human landscape features like abandoned railroad corridors or canals and link natural reserves, parks, cultural and historic sites with each other, in many cases with populated areas.

Benefits of Greenways

• Conserves native ecosystems
• Provides economic opportunities
• Preserves historical and cultural features
• Facilitates public access to park lands and waterways
• Enhances outdoor education opportunities
• Protects scenic views and landscapes
• Mitigates urban sprawl
• Accommodates transportation alternatives

• Enhances community identity

Statewide initiatives
Florida’s Preservation 2000
As the nation’s most ambitious environmental land acquisition effort, the Florida Legislature approved a program in 1990 to fund the purchase lands for conservation purposes. Their pledge was to raise $300 million in annual government bonds over a period of ten years. The following is the distribution of funds:

National Rails-to-Trails Initiative
In the late 19th century, the country embarked upon the greatest railroad building spree in history. By 1916, our nation had the largest network of railroads with almost 300,000 miles of track; however, transportation trends in the 20th century has radically altered this network. Now, less than half of our original rail system remains and 2,000 miles of track are abandoned every year. These railroad corridors are ideal for conversion to trails for use by hikers, runners, bicyclists, equestrians, cross-country skiers, wheelchair users, skaters, and others who want to combine a recreation experience with the beauty of the American landscape.

Florida’s Greenway Plan
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has established a plan to develop a statewide system of greenways that will one day allow Floridians and visitors to hike, bike or canoe virtually the entire length of the state. This system is called the Florida Greenways and Trails program and stretches from Pensacola to Key West and From the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, providing numerous benefits to Florida’s people and environment. The other purpose of the program is to oversee the planning and development of the Cross Florida Greenway (the former Florida Barge Canal) which encompasses approximately 70,000 acres, in a 110 mile long corridor with diverse landscape character that includes three major Florida river systems, (the St. Johns. Withlacoochee and Ocklawaha) and two major springs (Silver Springs and Rainbow Springs).

Greenways in Volusia County/Conservation through the Future Land Use Map
Volusia County has incorporated the greenway concept through the County’s Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map. The Environmental Systems Corridor (ESC) land use category is applied to environmentally sensitive areas and extends throughout unincorporated Volusia County. Its purpose is to:

• Link vast areas of natural lands into a functioning hydro-ecological corridor. Natural areas included with in the ESC include uplands, wildlife habitat, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and estuaries.

• Accommodate the low intensity use of private lands while encouraging conservation goals and practices.

Spring to Spring Trail
The trail extends from Gemini Springs Park along Dirksen Drive and then Mansion Boulevard up to DeBary Hall, a 1.3 mile stretch, in southwest Volusia County. This trail/bike path links two significant recreational and cultural resources to each other and is approximately 13 feet wide in most places. The County is preparing to submit an application for grants to initiate a second phase of the trail.

Land acquisition
Volusia County is fortunate to have the largest number of developed resource based parks (federal, state and local facilities included) of any county in the State of Florida. The County is currently developing a conceptual plan to link major parks and all of Volusia’s communities with a major recreational trail. This trail will be located along roadways, waterfronts and old railroad corridors encompassing a myriad of wildlife habitats, historical sites and community facilities.

Volusia County has a wealth of natural resources and during the past ten years the county has been actively pursuing acquisition and management of such lands. Volusia County’s own version of Preservation 2000 was initiated in 1985 as the first county in the state to implement a local environmental land acquisition program. These dollars, leveraged with funding from Preservation 2000, resulted in the purchase of 13,500 acres of environmentally sensitive land. Green Springs and Spruce Creek Park are park lands that have been or are being acquired through land acquisition.

Green Springs
The County is in the process of acquiring the Green Springs project site located on Lake Shore Drive in the south-west Volusia County. The property is approximately 35.75 acres. The goal is to secure the property for public ownership; protection of the geological, archeological, historical and natural resources; and to provide recreational opportunities that are compatible with the protection of the natural resource values of the site. Recreational activities include the utilization of open space areas for free play; the hardwood hammock for primitive camping and picnic areas; and the provision for nature trails, boardwalks, a fishing pier, and education activities.

Spruce Creek Park
Spruce Creek Park is an assemblage of publicly owned properties within the Spruce Creek watershed located in the eastern portion of Volusia County. A majority of the acreage currently under public ownership is held by the State of Florida although some properties are owned by the county. This acreage is to be collectively managed by Volusia County as a 50-year lease agreement between county and state. The county shall provide stewardship for these lands that benefit the citizens of and visitors to Volusia County by furthering the following goals:

• Protecting significant surface waters;
• Preserving valuable archaeological information and significant historic sites and features;
• Providing outdoor recreational opportunities;
• Maintaining open space between the cities of New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange and establishing a critical link in a across-county and recreational greenway corridor;
• Stabilizing or enhancing wildlife habitat.

Related links of interest
Volusia County Parks and Recreation
The National Park Service
Rail-Trail Resource Center
West Orange Trail
Florida Department of Environmental Protection

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Copyright © 2001 Volusia County, Florida.