Alachua County got its first scenic road designation since 2004 the county s sixth overall Tuesday, with Micanopy s Tuscawilla Road.
County commissioners voted 3-2 to give the designation to the two-lane road between Cholokka Boulevard in the Micanopy town limits and U.S. Highway 441, which brings the road additional protection.
The roadway meets several of the criteria for designation, as outlined by the county, including scenic, archaeological and historical significance.
Commissioners Chuck Chestnut and Mary Alford voted against the measure due to concerns about access to a planned commercial property, a Dollar General, being built near the roadway. Trucks weighing more than 25,000 pounds will not be allowed on the road without a variance from the county, and commissioners voted down such an exemption.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is a nature lover’s dream. With miles of trails and an abundance of wildlife, the park is well worth the 40-minute drive north.
“Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is biologically, geologically and historically unique,” says Alex Cronin with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s press office. “This park became Florida’s first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark.”
The park is home to more than 420 vertebrates and is also part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Throughout the prairie visitors will find observation platforms and wildlife viewing areas.
Rain in North Central Florida has dampened wildfire season
North Central Florida is into its annual wildfire season and so far, so good.
Most of the Florida peninsula from about Citrus County on the Gulf coast through southern Marion to Flagler on the Atlantic is either abnormally dry or in a drought.
Areas above that line, however, have had plenty of rain.
But with a month or so until the start of the typical summer weather pattern, the region is not out of the wildfire woods yet, said Ludie Bond, wildfire mitigation specialist with Florida Forest Service Waccasassa district headquartered in Gainesville.
Scene Calendar: Fun things to do March 12-18, 2021
The Gainesville Sun
MUSIC
Jazz on the Green: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Celebration Pointe, Celebration Pointe Avenue off of Interstate 75 and Archer Road. Free. (celebrationpointe.com) Live music by the Joe Breidenstine Quartet on the stage in the promenade, food and drinks, lawn games and more.
Trey Lewis: 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Knockin Boots Saloon, 201 W. University Ave. Tickets: $15. (bit.ly/tlewis2021) The Dicked Down in Dallas singer will perform with guests Cliff Dorsey and Ryan Nelson.
St. Patrick s Day Music and Irish Dancing: 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Cypress & Grove Brewing Co., 1001 NW Fourth St. Free. (bit.ly/38chPWr) Irish dancing performed by the Gainesville Dance Academy, Celtic music by Scuttered the Bruce and food available for purchase from The Chameleon Food Truck.