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Draft:Marshall Hampton Reserve

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  • Comment: You should not cite google search results too. Vanderwaalforces (talk) 14:06, 8 November 2023 (UTC)

Marshall Hampton Reserve is a 1,173 acre preserve in Polk County, Florida. It was acquired in 2008 by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Its mailing address is 3115 Thornhill Road in Winter Haven, Florida.[1]

History

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The land that makes up the preserve was acquired by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) in 2008. The preserve borders Lake Hancock and is across from Circle B Bar Reserve.[2] It is at the headwaters of the Peace River. It includes an oak hammock, mesic flatwoods, and a 60-acre pond. Trails include two loops. The property has live oak, slash pine, sweet gum, and palmetto.[2]

Animal species in the area include foxes, Sherman's fox squirrels, bobcats, and deer. Birding in the area offers sightings of species, including wild turkey, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, warblers, and migratory birds.[3] There are various flowering plants including rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium, largeflower milkweed, Elephantopus elatus, swamp leatherflower (Clematis crispa) and Mazus pumilus.[3]

In March 2024, construction began on a portion of the Central Polk Parkway (SR 570B) which will cut across the preserve.[4][5]

Trails

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The park's trail system connects to Fort Freser Trail.[6]

  • Osprey Overlook Loop Trail, 2.5 miles (4.0 km), little to no shade[7]
  • Acorn Hammock Loop Trail, (3.5 miles (5.6 km), largely shaded[7][3]
  • Panther Point Trail, runs 8 miles (13 km) along the east side of Lake Hancock and is frequented by bicyclists[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Marshall Hampton Reserve". Polk County Environmental Lands Program.
  2. ^ a b "Marshall Hampton Reserve". Polk County Government.
  3. ^ a b c Walters, Bonnie (December 14, 2021). "Marshall Hampton Reserve and The Acorn Trail".
  4. ^ White, Gary (January 8, 2024). "Portion of Hampton Reserve gives way to toll road". Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  5. ^ "Central Polk Parkway route raises concerns".
  6. ^ "Panther Point Trail Increases to 8 Miles". April 23, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Marshall Hampton Reserve - Lakeland, Florida". Visit Central Florida.