by Mike Stephens

A number of Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation Board members and Honorary Board members enjoyed a bike ride on the shore of Lake Apopka before the meeting on Thursday and after the meeting on Friday.

We were riding on the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, a 40+ mile loop around lake Apopka that connects with the Coast-to-Coast Trail (aka West Orange Trail) in downtown Winter Garden.

The portion of the loop we were riding was in the 20,000-acre Lake Apopka Northshore Restoration area managed by the St. Johns Water Management District.

We learned about the history of the Lake dating back to the 1800’s from Joe Dunn with the Friends of Lake Apopka (FOLA), and what is currently being done to restore Lake Apopka.

Lots of wildlife was observed, including several large alligators and just some of the 370+ species of birds that call the area home. A great time was had by all, and it was a great way to get ready to talk about the importance of Greenways and Trails within Florida.