Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka, Florida

By Lori Litchman

lorida is well known for its beaches and, of course, the corporate sponsor of the state, Disney World. I'm down south for my best friend's wedding at Disney's Grand Floridian resort. But after days of park hopping and celebrating, I'm exhausted and I need an escape to one of Florida's unassuming nature retreats. My trusty companion is a forever friend from my youth in small town Pennsylvania who is also feeling the need to find some woods and find it fast. e head to Wekiwa Springs State Park, located in central Florida, about 25 miles west of Orlando. Wekiwa is an Indian word that means, "spring of water," although after our hike, I secretly think it means, "place of many mosquitoes." he park is nearly 8,000 acres of scenery, but during our visit, most of the hiking trails are closed. We aren't sure why at first, but during our hike, we come across a sign telling us the reason - an infestation of the Southern Pine Beetle, a bark beetle that is deadly to pine trees. The beetles tunnel through the inner bark of the tree and within days of an infestation, thousands of beetles may colonize a tree. The park was in the process of tearing down trees to prevent the beetles from spreading to healthy trees. he main springs of the park are crystal clear and beautiful, and although it's November, folks are out sunbathing, and a few brave souls are even swimming. The springs maintain a year-round temperature of 68 degrees, and deliver 42 million gallons of fresh water each day. Wekiwa Springs are the headwaters for the Wekiva River. Wekiva is an Indian word that means, "flowing water." he park offers fishing, canoeing, camping and swimming and boasts an array of natural Florida vegetation ranging from low, wet river swamp to high, dry sandy ridges. Trees throughout the park include pine, palm and palmetto. Some animals that call the park home are deer, fox, opossum and white ibises. During our trek, we see two peacocks strutting around, a feisty gray squirrel, a small lizard and a black spider the size of my hand. uch of the hike through the wetland area is on a man-made wooden walkway. The trail later evens out to a sandy trail that is mostly flatlands. My companion and I hike for nearly two hours and although we are covered with mosquito bites, we are refreshed and energized.

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More Information:

The park is open year round. For more information, including directions, go to http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/district3/wekiwaspring/index.asp.

For more information of the Southern Pine Beetle, visit
http://eny3541.ifas.ufl.edu/pbb/SPB_info.htm.