Plant City residents looking for a new place to exercise don’t need to sign up for a gym membership.
McIntosh Tract, an area of land off Paul S. Buchman Highway and East Knights Griffin Road, opened to the public as a passive park May 11. Those who visit the tract can take advantage of man-made walking trails, hiking trails, mountain-bike trails and quiet areas to enjoy the natural beauty of the preserve.
The tract was purchased in 1998 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Hillsborough County Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program for $1.1 million.
The proper use of the tract and its preservation are the goals of the Hillsborough River Greenways Task Force, an organization tasked with protecting the landscape of the upper Hillsborough River Basin.
In addition to protecting the property, Plant City residents also can take advantage of a new, free public destination.
“It’s a pristine property,” City Manager Mike Herr said. “Residents can enjoy a natural preserve.”
The property is about 363 acres. One hundred of the eastern acres were developed as a Southwest Florida Water Management District Regional Water Quality Project and preserved as a wetland.
The park portion of the tract has picnic tables underneath shelters that were formerly cattle-working shelters. In the future, city leaders hope to create another trail through a northern area of the tract that will be at least two miles long.
Herr believes the property will attract both tourists and locals, especially those looking to take advantage of Plant City’s natural landscape. He hopes tourists staying in a nearby bed and breakfast can take advantage of the bike and walking trails at the preserve before spending the rest of the day wandering historic downtown.
“If (they’re) looking to get away from the stress of everyday living, they can go to the preserve,” Herr said. “It’s some of the best featured tract that Plant City has to offer.”
When more funds for the tract become available, further trails and natural additions will be made to McIntosh Tract.
About the wetland
The eastern 100 acres of McIntosh Tract was a grassy meadow used as pasture land before it was converted into a prairie wetland. The cost to convert it was $2.5 million and came mostly from grant money in a cooperative effort between local, county, state and federal agencies to acquire land for preservation.
The prairie wetland area is capable of removing up to 50% of the pollutants going into the Hillsborough River from northeast Hillsborough County. The Eastside Canal, which flows into river tributaries known as Itchepackesassa Creek and Blackwater Creek, will flow through the wetlands area before arriving at the Hillsborough River at Two Rivers Ranch. The Eastside Canal drains 6,300 acres of urban and rural land in and around Plant City, including about two million gallons of treated wastewater.
The prairie wetland also will provides suitable habitat for wood storks, sandhill cranes and just about any type of wading bird.
Future plans for the remaining 260 acres are to continue to build the passive park area and feature low-intensity uses, such as horseback riding, hiking and biking trails, and pavilions.
IF YOU GO
Public entrance is located at 775 E. Knights Griffin Road.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com