Ocala Standard

Marion County, Florida issued the following announcement on January 18.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Grant Approved for Improvements at Heagy Burry Park and Boat Ramp

Grant will help park make improvements to boat ramp, parking area, and more

At the Marion County Board of County Commissioners meeting on January 18, the commissioners approved entering into a grant agreement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for improvements to the Heagy Burry Park and Boat Ramp in Reddick.

Located on Orange Lake, Heagy Burry Park and Boat Ramp is the only public-use boat ramp that provides access to the lake during the majority of low-water conditions. Open from sunrise to sunset every day, the park has an estimated $2 million economic impact every year based on information provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

At the board meeting, commissioners unanimously approved the grant agreement for improvements to the park, meaning the FWC will compensate Marion County for $969,264 or 53.1% of the total project cost, whichever is less. Marion County would be responsible for providing the remainder of the total project cost.

There are three major improvements planned for the park:

Boat Ramp – The plan is to remove the existing single-lane boat ramp and replace it with a double-lane ramp with an extended approach. This improvement will help make the ramp more user-friendly and allow for better traffic flow and easier boat launching for visitors.

Parking – Currently, the parking area at Heagy Burry is unpaved, and paving the area will make parking easier and more accessible.

Retaining Wall – Adding a retaining wall at the park will help provide stabilization of park facilities and also help preserve the park from wear and tear due to exposure to the elements.

These improvements to the park will help enhance the local community by providing a premier venue for outdoor recreation, sport fishing, and tournaments.

Original source can be found here.