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Orange Lake Overlook
20267 N Hwy 441, Reddick, FL
(352) 671-8560
The Orange Lake Overlook property, located just south of the Town of McIntosh, is primarily agricultural pasture land with a gentle rolling slope from west to east in the direction of Orange Lake. The majority of the site has existed as grazing pastures for roughly 30 years and before becoming pasture, the land was used for citrus production which succumbed to the hard freezing temperatures in 1980.
Through the desires of the Sawallis family to perpetually protect the land
from becoming anything other than natural undisturbed
areas and pastures, a Conservation Easement was desired.
The negotiation of the Conservation Easement netted in
the sale/purchase and donation of nine acres of the
original 93.08. These nine acres are located along the
jurisdictional line of the west shore of Orange Lake.
Future improvements planned include interpretive trails,
boardwalks, an observation tower, stabilized pervious parking, ecologically
sensitive stormwater retention areas and fencing which
will allow for the free range movement of the existing
wildlife. The removal of invasive and exotic
plants is included as well. These improvements
will allow for the Orange Lake Overlook property to
serve as a destination of those interested in learning
about the history and natural occurrences on the site
and the adjacent lands.
Preservation of the viewshed from US 441 across
the parcel towards Orange Lake is an important goal of
the planned improvements as is the protection of the
areas historical, cultural and natural resources.
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