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OCALA, FL – Horse breeding farms in Ocala and The Greenway share similar grass roots to the late 1920’s during some turbulent economical years in America. The growth spurt of Thoroughbred farms was in direct response to the revitalization of horse racing in Florida with the opening of Hialeah Park in 1925. Joseph E. Widener advocated the legalization of pari-mutuel racing whereby a racing tax was enacted by 1931. In effect, a lot of jobs were created and state tax revenues increased dramatically. The Federal government’s ‘New Deal’ of 1932 was also introduced and gave a boost to the industrial working class in Florida through a brazen infrastructure project.
Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the founder of St. Augustine always believed that there was an inland route from the St. Johns River to Tampa Bay. By the time Franklin D. Roosevelt entered the White House, some 28 surveys by the army engineers presented possible canal routes. Immediately following a devastating hurricane that hit the Florida Keys in1935, the president announced New Deal work relief funds allocated for the canal project as emergency assistance. Aviles’ dreams appeared to be on the verge of realization. The project set off a boom in local economies and a scramble for real estate acquisitions along the cut through south Ocala to the Withlacoochee River and west to Port Inglis at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico.
Progression of the mammoth steam-shovel project was ultimately interrupted by World War II, lack of funding, and ecological concerns. To its end, it was President Richard M. Nixon with jubilant support of conservatives and environmentalists who put a halt to the project in 1971. As a result, only one-third of the digging and lock construction had been completed. Consequently, President George H. W. Bush signed into law, a bill filed by Senators Bob Graham and Connie Mack in 1990 which reallocated the vast federal land for purposes of conservation and public use.
The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway Today
The Greenway is a wildlife habitat rich in natural vegetation that traverses 110 miles across the state connecting communities by way of trails and recreational substations. It is officially named for wildlife technician and oceanographer Marjorie Harris Carr who championed to preserve the bionetwork of forests, native wetlands, pristine springs and rivers, plus the aquifer concealed below. South central Ocala has several trailheads including the Santos Bike Trails East and the Land Bridge Trails. Located on Hwy 475A, The Land Bridge Trailhead has three unpaved options leading to the impressive manmade landmark which connects east to west high above Interstate 75. Ideal for mountain bike enthusiasts, the overpass marks the half-way point to the 49th Avenue Trailhead for a five mile one-way and sometimes challenging pedal.
It’s a relaxing one mile hike on the primary trail to the bridge. Trekkers have an additional two and a half miles to venture westward where an abundance of birds and wildlife can be spotted. Remnants from the canal project left deforested rift valleys—fascinating digs which enchant archeological explorers. At their base, the impressions hold clay from channel puddling. Laid down during construction, the soil is a natural choice for loblolly pines that prefer wetter ground.
Horses and riders have their own unpaved path to navigate to the overpass and always enjoy right of way anywhere along the trails over pedestrians and bicycles. Equestrians have an additional 8.7 miles cut into a natural setting of saw palmettos, and longleaf and sand pines. Facilities for horse and humans at the trailhead stations include shower bays to hose off the horses and trailer parking.
-Julie Kristine Castro
