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2	Reasons for this presentation… Show progress to date in the Nature Park. Describe ideas being pursued for the park. Determine if the Rec. Board would adopt this vision. Identify steps necessary to realize the vision.
3	Location
4	Background Owned by SFWMD Leased to City of LaBelle Managed by Hendry-LaBelle Recreation Dept. New interest in improving the park Possible future use in K-12 programs
5	Independent Components (1) Trails & General Maintenance (2) Observation Platforms (K-12 programs) (3) Oxbow Restoration a. Initial dredging of park sections b. Possible purchase of Bodine land c. Later dredging of neighborhood section (4) Integration with Hwy 80 access
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7	Concerns… Interests of the Neighborhood Traffic and Parking Neighborhood meeting endorsed park improvements Security Risks (being addressed by new fence) Neighborhood safety Hendry House vandalism Crime in the park Preservation Protect natural areas in the City
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9	"(1) Trails & General..." (1) Trails & General Maintenance - Rotary Club Centennial Project - Planned by Rec. Board years ago - Recently approved by Rec. Board - Primarily Affects Fraser Ave - Requires swift action to stabilize shoreline with replacement vegetation (USDA recommendation) (2) Observation Platforms (3) Oxbow Restoration (4) Hwy 80 Access
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13	"(2) Observation Platforms &..." (2) Observation Platforms & K-12 - Rotary Club Centennial Project - Planned by Rec. Board years ago - Recently approved by Rec. Board - Requires Corps of Engineers approval - Primarily Affects Hanshaw & Depofi (activity across oxbow) (1) Trails & General Maintenance (3) Oxbow Restoration (4) Hwy 80 Access
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16	"(2) K-12 Educational Programs" (2) K-12 Educational Programs - Started by Middle School years ago - Southern DataStream created a proposal for a formal educational field trips support facility that was reviewed and endorsed by Hendry County School District - Would primarily affect Fraser Ave ...more traffic & parking …unless we develop Hwy 80 access (1) Trails & General Maintenance (3) Oxbow Restoration (4) Hwy 80 Access
17	"(3) Oxbow Restoration" (3) Oxbow Restoration - SFWMD, Hendry County, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers + ? - Initially, only dredge the publicly-owned portion of the oxbow - Later, attempt full restoration possible easements (neighborhood in favor) requires land purchase of Bodine lot at river $300K perhaps securing support from Nature Conservancy - First oxbow project in progress, Second funded for $500K Tulley Dunlap oxbow $200K Nature Park oxbow $300K (1) Trails & General Maintenance (2) Observation Platforms & K-12 Programs (4) Hwy 80 Access
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19	"(4) Hwy 80 Access" (4) Hwy 80 Access - In the long term it is logical to provide access to the Hendry House and Nature Park via Hwy 80 (between Flora & Ella’s and Baptist Church - This requires an arrangement with City of LaBelle & Church - Access would make for an attractive tourism “destination” and County/City recreational facility as well as a wonderful K-12 natural resources educational support facility. (1) Trails & General Maintenance (2) Observation Platforms & K-12 Programs (3) Oxbow Restoration
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21	Hendry County Recreation Board May 18, 2004