Post Date: 09/15/2020 2:44 PM
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2020) – The Ocala Recreation and Parks Department has made the decision to cancel the Fort King Haunted Trail event Saturday, October 31, due to the continued uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions for attending public gatherings in Florida. This event was scheduled to take place at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St.
“As a department we are committed to creating safe experiences that families may enjoy together,” said Keifer Calkins, Historic Resource Program Supervisor, City of Ocala. “The decision to cancel a popular event is always difficult, however, public health and safety are the driving factors behind this decision.”
The Fort King National Historic Landmark is open daily seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. The Visitors Center is open on a limited basis, Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. In accordance with current recommended health guidelines, only five visitors at a time will be allowed inside the Visitor’s Center. All guests must wear a face covering while inside the Visitor’s Center and adhere to a physical distance of six feet apart. Continue reading
Post Date: 09/15/2020 10:40 AM
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2020) – The City of Ocala recently completed construction for the new conservation area known as the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park, 2105 NW 21st St. The park will officially open to the public Monday. Hours of operation will be sunrise to sunset daily.
The project broke ground in June 2018 was completed in 27 months. The 60 acres of conservation area will provide greenspace for the west side of Ocala. Funding for construction of the park was made possible through grants received from the St. John’s River Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Legislative Springs Funding, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Recreation and Trail Program, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection 319 Non-point Source Pollution.
The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park features educational kiosks, two and a half miles of walking trails and scenic boardwalks. This environmental landmark receives approximately three million gallons of treated wastewater and stormwater daily. The engineered ecological system of the park will reduce nutrients and other pollutants in the water it receives. The newly polished water will recharge or give water directly back to the aquifer. An additional benefit of the park will be outdoor passive recreation, indigenous flora and fauna, and educational components.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Water Resources department at 352-351-6772 or visit Ocala Wetland Recharge Park on Facebook and Instagram.
(OCALA, Fla.) Sept. 11, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) responded to reports of a fire alarm at Canterbury Circle apartment complex at 7:38 p.m.
Post Date: 09/11/2020
OFR Engines 3, 4, and 6, Rescue 3, Squad 7, Battalion Chief 22, and a Safety Officer were dispatched to the call at the 3500 block of SW 38th Terrace.
Upon arrival, crews encountered a strong smell of smoke near the unit that triggered the fire alarm. Without residents to facilitate access, firefighters forced entry into the unit. Upon entering, crews found a dog attempting to exit the smoke-filled staircase of the second-floor duplex unit. The dog was removed and taken to safety.
Engine crews made their way up the stairs to find a fire in the kitchen and an active sprinkler system dousing the flames. The fire was under control by 7:52 p.m. and extinguished by 7:56 p.m.
The sprinkler system was deactivated, and overhaul operations began.
Four people (two second-floor unit residents and two from the first-floor unit) were displaced due to significant water damage. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
The Ocala Police Department, Ocala Electric Utility, and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.
Post Date: 09/11/2020 9:30 AM
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 11, 2020) – The City of Ocala, through its Cultural Arts and Sciences Division, announces the completion of a “living art mural” in the downtown area. International, Miami-based artist, Ernesto Maranje, began painting the west-facing wall at the Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SE Broadway, May 18. The project, commissioned by the Cultural Arts and Sciences Division through public-private funding, is a collaboration between Maranje, artist and fabricator Mike Zeak, and horticulturalist, Suzanne Shuffitt. Maranje’s concept was approved by the Ocala Municipal Art Commission (OMAC).
The concept for the mural is a unique blend of street art, incorporating horticulture into the design. The mural makes use of attached, custom-fabricated plant trellises that house carefully curated plants and plant materials. The selection of plants installed for the final phase of the mural will grow and change throughout the seasons, attributing to the project’s significance as a ‘living’ art mural.
The project was completed in late August.
(The original release, distributed Thursday, May 14 is below for reference) Continue reading
Post Date: 09/11/2020 3:18 PM
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 11, 2020) – The City of Ocala will resume parking meter operations in the downtown area beginning Monday, Sept. 14. In March, the city chose to suspend the collection of parking meter fees in response to COVID-19 and to support local businesses remaining open during the pandemic.
The parking meter rates of 50 cents per hour will be in effect during this time; and a time limit of three hours per space, for most spaces, will be enforced. Accepted forms of payment include coins, credit/debit cards, Passport Parking app or call in service, and Apple or Google Pay.
The parking meters downtown are in effect weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are approximately 159 parking meters located throughout the downtown and midtown areas. The goal of the parking meter program is to provide a steady turnover of convenient parking spaces located near downtown businesses.
In addition to the metered parking spaces, free parking is available daily at the downtown parking garage located at 296 SE Broadway St.
For more information, please contact the City of Ocala at 352-629-8201.
Deadline for Nominations September 27, 2020
Now in its fifth year, the MCA Arts Awards will honor those individuals and organizations who enhance our quality of life through outstanding service, vision, and commitment to our creative community.
Award Categories
Service: Recognizes an exceptional individual for their dedicated volunteerism in the arts and contribution to the arts community as a whole.
Vision: Recognizes an individual or organization in Ocala/Marion County for
their outstanding advocacy of the arts.
Education: Recognizes an arts educator who utilizes the arts as a tool for achieving excellence.
Self-nominations are welcome. The online nomination forms can be found at mcaocala.org. Click here for more information about the awards process and Applaud the Arts.
For more information contact Jaye Baillie, MCA Executive Director, 352.369.1500 or at jaye.baillie@mcaocala.com.
Are you new to the Sunshine State or just curious to know more about Florida’s water? Watch this video to learn a few tips about conserving water.
Rooting caused by feral hogs can disrupt our natural systems and change the vegetative structure of wetland systems. Watch this video to learn more.
Staff are replacing non-native plants in this ground cover restoration project. To learn about the importance of restoring this area, watch this video.
CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
Staff Explain Minimum Flows and Levels Process for Lakes in the District
Minimum flows and levels (MFLs) are set to protect our natural resources and provide water to the public. But have you ever wondered how the District sets MFLs for a lake? District staff explain the process for Lake Allen in Hillsborough County. Watch this video.
