WalkingBuddies.com

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! Event Special Classifications: Riverwalk America and USA State Parks.

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.

Contact: 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.

Blake Park, Lake Helen

Sunday, June 3

Hosted by the Happy Wanderers

New Event – Part of the HW’s

“Going North for the Summer” Series

Start address: Blake Park, 493 S. Lakeview Dr., Lake Helen.

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

Trail: Stroll through one of the quaintest villages in Florida. Wonderfully renovated and maintained homes circa 1890-1920. Founded by Henry DeLand and named for his daughter, Helen. The trail is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Pets allowed but must be kept on leash at all times and cleaned up after. The walk has the following Event Special Classifications: Courthouses in the USA and Railroad Heritage.

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

Cost: $3 for all walkers.

Directions: From I-4 West take Exit 116 toward Lake Helen/DeLand. Right onto Orange Camp Rd. (.3 mile). Orange Camp Rd. becomes W. Main St. (.7 mile). Right onto S. Euclid Ave. (.2 mile).

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

Website: www.happywanderersfl.org

Kissimmee

Saturday, June 9

Hosted by the Mid-Florida Milers

New Event!!!!!

Start address: Kissimmee Civic Center, 201 E. Dakin Ave., Kissimmee.

Time: Start any time between 8:00 & 8:45 a.m. This will be a “quick-start” event.

Trail: See an original Florida “old town”, stroll along beautiful Lake Toho (Tohopekaliga), and view sights such as the Monument to the States. Suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Pet are permitted.

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

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

Directions:

From Orlando take I-4 (exit 80) on to US 17-92 (Orange Blossom Trail). Cross over US 192. See**.

From Tampa take I-4 Exit 64 on to US 192 East. Go to US 17-92 (Orange Blossom Trail), turn right. Orange Blossom Trail becomes Main Street which in turn becomes Broadway. Turn left on Dakin Ave. The Civic Center is about two blocks on the left.

From Cocoa follow SR 528 to SR 417 and go south towards Tampa. Take exit #11 to US 17-92, (Orange Blossom Trail) and turn south towards Kissimmee. Cross over US 192. See**

From east Orlando follow SR 417 to exit #11 at US 17-92 (Orange Blossom Trail) and turn south towards Kissimmee. See**

**At US 192 Orange Blossom Trail becomes Main Street which in turn becomes Broadway. Turn left on Dakin Ave. The Civic Center is about two blocks on the left.