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Gemini Springs Park, DeBary

Saturday, May 26

Hosted by the Happy Wanderers

New Event – Part of the HW’s

“Going North for the Summer” Series

Start address: 37 Dirksen Dr., DeBary

Time: Start any time between 9:00 a.m. & Noon; plan so you can finish by 3:00 p.m.

Trail: One of Florida’s most lovely county parks with bubbling springs, varied wildlife and lovely flora. Experience part of the new Volusia County Springs to Springs Trail system as you stroll along the new boardwalk. Also visit the majestic DeBary Mansion. Easy for strollers, some difficulty for wheelchairs. Pets must be leashed and picked up after.

Distance: 10K (6 miles); a 5K (3 miles) route will also be available.

Cost: $3 for all walkers.

Lunch will be available for 50 people, first-come-first served. Buy your tickets at the walk.

Directions: From I-4, take Exit 108 (Old 53). Turn right on Dirksen. The park is one mile on the left. From U.S. 17-92, go east on Dirksen, then turn right at the Park Entrance. As you enter park, turn right to parking lot. Park and walk on sidewalk past restrooms and across short footbridge to pavilion #3.

Contact: Marvin Stokes, marvst717@cfl.rr.com 386-788-4026 or 386-871-0506

Website: www.happywanderersfl.org

Little Talbot Island State Park, Jacksonville

Saturday, May 26

Hosted by the First Coast Trail Forgers

Year-Round Event

Start Location: The walk will start at the at the Little Talbot Island State Park’s Ranger Station, 12157 Heckscher Dr., Jacksonville, at 8:45 a.m. (arrive a bit earlier to register) The distance is 10K (6.2 miles). There is an entrance fee into the park.

Trail: The walk is along a well maintained nature trail through the woods and on the wide tidal beach of an Atlantic coastal barrier island. The beach and woods are rarely crowded allowing for a walk in solitude. Restrooms are adjacent to parking area; none located on trail. Insect repellant is recommended. The trail is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs and pets are not permitted. This walk qualifies for the USA State Parks walking program and the FVA “Walk Florida State Parks” program.

Directions:

FROM I-95 SOUTHBOUND - take exit 362A east on SR 9A. Straight on SR 9A to Heckscher Dr, SR 105. Left on SR 105 and follow it approx 14 miles to where it joins SR A1A. Straight on SR 105/A1A approx 5.2 miles to park entrance. Right into entrance approx .1 mile to ranger station.

I-95 NORTHBOUND - take exit 358A east on SR 105, Heckscher Dr, approx 15.3 miles to where SR 105 joins SR A1A. Straight on SR 105/A1A approx 5.2 miles to park entrance on right. Right into entrance approx .1 mile to ranger station.

Contact: Gordon Lindblom, Eslindblom@aol.com

Website: www.firstcoasttrailforgerswalkingclub.org

YMCA, Port Orange

Sunday Morning, May 27

Hosted by the Happy Wanderers

Year-Round Event

The Happy Wanderers will host a group walk of their Port Orange year-round trail on Sunday, May 27. The walk will start at the YMCA, 4701 City Center Pkwy., Port Orange, at 8:00 a.m. (Register at 7:30 a.m.) The distance is 10K (6.2 miles).

Trail: The trail takes you through the beautiful new campus of Palmer Chiropractic College; around and through the lovely City Center Complex and into quiet, shaded neighborhoods. Loops around Jackson Lake Park and through the historic Sugar Mill Gardens where you may encounter a dinosaur or two as well as the ruins of an old sugar mill and the lovely gardens.

Directions: Drive east on Dunlawton Ave (SR421) to City Center Pkwy (approximately 1.2 miles). Turn left onto City Center Pkwy and drive approximately 0.5 mile to YMCA which will be on your right just past the new Palmer Chiropractic College.

Contact: Marvin Stokes, marvst717@cfl.rr.com 386-788-4026 or 386-871-0506

Website: www.happywanderersfl.org­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Hillsborough River State Park

National Trails Day

June 2, 2007

New Event Sponsored by

Hillsborough River State Park &

Suncoast Sandpipers Volkssport Club

GENERAL INFORMATION: On June 2, 2007, Hillsborough River State Park/ Florida Park Service and the Suncoast Sandpipers invite you to a 5K (3.1 mile) or 10K (6.2 mile) walk in one of the oldest state parks in Florida. The Sandpipers promise to explore the park’s miles of trails to come up with the best possible routes to please everyone. While there, visitors can enjoy picnic areas, pavilions, canoes, biking and the Spirit of the Woods Pool Side Cafe and Gift Shop. An irresistible spot to cool off after the volkswalk will be the ½ acre swimming pool (fee required). Camping is available at one of the 111 campsites. For camping reservations, call toll free: Reserve America

1-800-326-3521. For more information on the walk, contact Alice Lawrence at 727-595-2173/pipers@tampabay.rr.com. For additional information on Hillsborough River State Park, contact the Ranger Station at 813-987-6771.

LOCATION/TIMES: From the entrance (park fee is $4.00 per carload, up to eight people; extra persons are $1.00 per person), drive to parking lot #3. Register at the Recreational Hall. Start walks any time from 8:30-10 AM; finish by 1 PM.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Walkers will enjoy a rated 1+ (unpaved surfaces) walk through hammocks of live oaks, sabal palms and hickories which border the scenic Hillsborough River. Sturdy strollers will be ok but not wheelchairs. While water will be available on the route, carrying water (and bug spray) is a good idea!

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY: (http://americanhiking.org/events/ntd/). The Sandpipers look forward to celebrating National Trails Day (NTD). Now in its 15th year, the American Hiking Society’s NTD continues to bring the public to beautiful parks to discover, learn about and celebrate trails and participate in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, workshops and trail work projects. The society and the NTD sponsors provide event hosts with posters, brochures, giveaways and attractive T-shirts at reasonable prices.

FIESTA! The Sandpipers are celebrating National Trails Day with a fiesta. On the menu are tacos, Tex-Mex corn salad, chips & salsa.

Cost is $5. Please pre-register for the lunch.

WALK FEES: A patch commemorating our walk and fiesta in the park is $5 (includes walk and volkssport fees); volkssport credit only is $3; walk only (no patch or volkssport credit) is $2. KIDS WALK FOR FREE! Also for sale are NTD shirts for $10. Call Alice for available shirt sizes.

DIRECTIONS: The park is located at 15402 US 301N, Thonotosassa, 9 miles north of Tampa, 6 miles south of Zephyrhills. From I-75S, take SR 54/exit #279. Left and east 12 miles to Hwy 301. Right and south 6 miles; park is on right. From I-75N, take Fowler Ave (exit #265)

1.7 miles east to Hwy 301; left & north for 9 miles; park is on left. From Pinellas County and Tampa, take I-275N to I-4E to exit 10. Left on CR 579 to US 301 and north 7 miles; park is on left.

REGISTRATION: You need to send a check and order to Suncoast Sandpipers, PO Box 2514, largo FL 33779, by May 26. Pre-registration is not required to participate, but you it’s the best choice if you wish to reserve lunch and/or the award. For more information, contact Alice Lawrence 727-595-2173/pipers@tampabay.rr.com.

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Orlando Lakes

Saturday, June 2

Hosted by the Mid-Florida Milers

Year-Round Event

Start address: Orlando Regional Medical Center, 1414 Kuhl Ave., Orlando.

Time: Start any time between 8:00 & 8:45 a.m. This will be a “quick-start” event, but since it is a year-round trail, you can get the walk-box in the hospital lobby, at the reception desk, any daylight hours.

Trail: Stroll around some of the beautiful lakes of Orlando, including Lake Eola, and view attractive residential areas. The walk is a Cemetery Event and Railroads Heritage Event, so you can enter the walk into those special programs books if you have them. Pets are allowed except in the hospital. Suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.

Distance: 10K (6 miles); a 5K (3 miles) is also now available.

Cost: $3 for IVV/AVA credit; free for non-credit walkers.

Directions:

From I-4 take Exit 82A, SR 408, east to the first exit, 10B, Orange Ave. Circle to right and turn left onto Orange Ave. and at the 3d light, turn right on Columbia. See #

From Tampa on eastbound I-4 take Exit 81B, Kaley, turn to right (east) and at Orange Ave. turn left to Columbia; then turn left on Columbia. See #

OR From westbound SR 408 exit at Rosalind, turn left to Orange Ave. Turn left and go 5 lights to Columbia and turn right.

# After turn go one block and turn left on Kuhl Ave. Go right on Copeland and turn left into 2nd entrance of parking building. Parking is $3.00. Walk 1/2 block to ORMC hospital main entrance.