Will provide access to Shingle Creek

By Marvin G. Cortner
Editor

The Osceola County Commission Aug. 2 voted to proceed with purchasing a 1.96-acre site known as the Marsh Road Marina for $360,000 for use as a county park to provide access to Shingle Creek.

The marina, owned by Edwin D. Sievers and which is at the end of Marsh Road west of Pleasant Hill Road, previously was operated as a commercial business but use of the site, which was grandfathered-in due to it being in an area zoned residential, had lapsed. The county will close on the purchase on or before Sept. 1.

County staff previously said the purchase is part of the Shingle Creek master plan and would help provide access to a state-approved paddling trail that would allow canoeists and kayakers to get to Makinson Island from the marina.

A canoe trip from the marina to Lake Tohopekaliga would take about an hour and the marina in the future could serve as an exit point for canoeists putting in farther north at Shingle Creek Regional Park (either at the Babb property or Steffee Landing on U.S. Highway 192), though that trip is not possible now because a portion of the creek is impassable.

“With paddling sports and kayak ownership continuing to grow rapidly in popularity, the marina purchase will provide for the demands, by both residents and tourists alike, for such facilities in the future,” said County Commissioner Michael Harford, whose district includes the marina. “Strategically located, the marina site provides the perfect launching or ending point for tourists and residents to participate in unique full-day paddling adventures, be it traveling the natural cypress-lined passageway from Steffee Landing to the marina, or a day trip from the marina to downtown Kissimmee for lunch or Makinson Island Conservation Area or Toho Community Park (the former Scotty’s Fish Camp property) for a picnic.”

The marina site also will provide an important base for developing nature-based tourism for the area, Harford said, adding that adventure paddling, consisting of multi-day trips to connected sites, such as Makinson Island, Southport Regional Park and to other county lakes and waterways, will be possible.

The county will retain the small residence at the marina for caretaker/security housing as well as other structures, including the main creek-side house, marina coverings (west side), restroom facility, picnic pavilion, workshop and storage buildings. All other portable sheds, trailers, marina coverings (east side) and carports will be removed. There are no immediate plans for road improvements going to the marina.

Following the clean up and securing of the site, Shingle Creek Regional Park partners – the city of Kissimmee, the county and the South Florida Water Management District – will start the planning process and phased development of the site, with initial work involving basic facility improvements and public access, Harford said.

Development of the marina also could include a private concession offering canoe and kayak rentals, county officials have said.

The last official year the marina functioned as a commercial operation, according to state corporation records, was in 2001. It operated at that time as Harbor Oaks Marina.

According to the South Florida Water Management District website, Shingle Creek is the major water source for Lake Tohopekaliga, which is part of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and forms the headwater of the Everglades. The creek is featured on the Everglades Trail and a variety of wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, alligators, turkey and birds, thrive in the creek

corridor.

Tohoqua property bought

The Osceola County Commission July 26 unanimously agreed to move forward with the purchase of the Tohoqua property for the county’s land conservation program, with closing to be no later than Oct. 1.

The price agreed to with property owner Orlando-based Neptune Road Investments was $9,495,000. In addition, the county will pay closing costs not to exceed $10,000 plus spend up to $300,000 to evaluate drainage issues and to draw up initial plans for the site, which is on the east side of Lake Tohopekaliga.

According to county staff, the original contract for the site called for the county to buy 477 acres, but the county will end up buying 302 acres but will get a total of 393 acres, with the difference being some of the land that the developer has to set aside in the Tohoqua development of regional impact for green space.

Staff reported that with the purchase, the number of homes planned in the development would be 1,000 fewer.

Funding for the conservation program, often referred to as SAVE (Save and Value Environment), is generated by a quarter of a mill property tax approved by voters in 2004. The county on Aug. 26 will close on a general obligation bond issue to fund the Tohoqua as well as other purchases.