Gourd Neck Springs Report
Lake Apopka (Fla.)
Environmental protection--Florida
Parks--Florida
Springs--Florida
This report by Gary I. Sharp lists information related to the Gourd Neck Springs area of Lake Apopka and a potential purchase of the area by the State of Florida through the Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program. The report aims to show why the area is suitable for a public park, describing physical and environmental characteristics of the area, as well as summarizing the economic issues related to a public purchase of the area, including zoning information from the Lake County Zoning Department and appraisal values from Danny L. Dulgar. The report also discusses an inspection of the area by the Environmentally Endangered Lands Committee, which rejected the site due to the polluted quality of the lake surrounding the area, as well as its small size. Finally, the report includes hydrological data related to the springs.<br /><br />Gourd Neck Springs is a small spring located in the southwest portion of Lake Apopka, in a small cove called “Gourd Neck” due to its distinctive shape. This area of the lake was considered in the 1960s as a potential nursery for fish. The Lake Apopka Technical Committee explored damming the Gourd Neck, separating it from the lake and preventing polluted lake water from entering, but these plans did not materialize. Efforts were also made in the 1960s to have the Gourd Neck area purchased by the State of Florida for use as a public park. The Gourd Neck Springs Park Association was formed in 1961 to study the site’s potential for a park and lobby for support from legislators. The land bordering the area was privately-owned by various individuals. One of these, Gary I. Sharp, continued seeking support for a park into the 1970s. While the project received support from Florida legislators and environmentalists, the land was never purchased by the state.<br /><br />The Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) was formed in 1972 as part of the larger Land Conservation Act of 1972. The EEL program was initially funded through the sale of state bonds. The program was designed to help the state acquire lands considered environmentally sensitive and was not designed for creating areas for recreational use. Potential sites for acquisition could be suggested by citizens, county and state governments, and nonprofit organizations. After evaluation for environmental value, potential sites would be approved by the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Natural Resources and finalized by the Governor. In 1979, the former Executive Director, Harmon Shields, was indicted on corruption charges involving the lands-acquisition process. Following this scandal, the EEL program was replaced by Conservation and Recreation Lands Program. This change replaced the program's funding with tax revenues instead of bond sales, and formed the Land Acquisition Selection Committee, made up by six executive directors of Florida environmental agencies, to select sites for approval by the governor. The Division of State Lands was also created as a division of the Department of Natural Resources to oversee mapping and evaluation of potential sites for acquisition.
Sharp, Gary
Original 10-page typewritten report: Sharp, Gary I. <em>Gourd Neck Springs<em>. Winter Park, FL: 1975: binder 1975, Friends of Lake Apopka Archives, Ginn Museum, <a href="http://www.oaktownusa.com/Pages/Preserve/index" target="_blank">Oakland Nature Preserve</a>, Oakland, Florida.</em></em>
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Gourd Neck Springs, Florida
Lake Apopka, Florida
Oral History of Bob Hattaway
Altamonte Springs (Fla.)
Ferns--Florida
Casselberry (Fla.)
Sanford (Fla.)
Zellwood (Fla.)
Oviedo (Fla.)
Airports--Florida
An oral history of Bob Hattaway, conducted by Daniel Motta on June 14, 2012. Hattaway was born and raised in Altamonte Springs, Florida. In the interview, Hattaway discusses growing up in Altamonte Springs, working in the fern industry, his real estate and agricultural endeavors, his family's influence in Altamonte Springs and Casselberry, the greenhouse business, local politics, and the air travel industry.
Motta, Daniel
Hattaway, Bob
Original 49-minute and 20-second oral history:Hattaway, Bob. Interviewed by Daniel Motta. June 14, 2012. Audio record available. <a href="http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/leisure-services/parks-recreation/museum-of-seminole-county-history/" target="_blank">Museum of Seminole County History</a>, Sanford, Florida.
Vickers, Savannah
audio/mp3
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Sound
Altamonte Springs, Florida
Lyman High School, Longwood, Florida
Winter Park High School, Winter Park, Florida
Winter Garden, Florida
Oviedo, Florida
Zellwood, Florida
Casselberry, Florida
Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Florida
Orlando-Sanford International Airport, Sanford, Florida
Opp, Alabama
Adult Toy Storage, Altamonte Springs, Florida
Oral History of Leonard Casselberry and Jane Casselberry
Casselberry (Fla.)
Winter Park (Fla.)
Ferns--Florida
Azaleas--United States
An oral history of Leonard and Jane Casselberry, conducted by Daniel Motta on May 30, 2012. In the interview, the Casselberrys discuss life in Casselberry, Florida, which was founded by Leonard's father, Hibbard Casselberry. Other topics discussed include the founding of Casselberry, working in the fern industry, the effect of World War II on the home front, how Leonard and Jane met, how Casselberry has changed over time, Hibbard Casselberry's involvement in growing azaleas and oak trees, and the Casselberrys' occupations after Leonard left the U.S. Navy.
Motta, Daniel
Original 39-minute and 14-second oral history: Casselberry, Leonard and Jane Casselberry. Interviewed by Daniel Motta. UCF Community Veterans History Project. May 30, 2012. Audio record available. <a href="http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/leisure-services/parks-recreation/museum-of-seminole-county-history/" target="_blank">Museum of Seminole County History</a>, Sanford, Florida.
Casselberry, Leonard
Casselberry, Jane
Vickers, Savannah
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Moving Image
Dickson Azalea Park Postcard
Orlando (Fla.)
Parks
Postcards--Florida
Postcard showing the Dickson-Azalea Park, owned by the City of Orlando. The park is located south of Robinson Street, north of Central Boulevard, and west of Rosearden Drive. Fern Creek runs through the park, which drains into Mayor Carl T. Langford Park located directly south of Dickson-Azalea. The park is intersected by Washington Street. Washington Street goes over the park with a early white concrete bridge, one of the landmarks of downtown Orlando. Much of Dickson-Azalea Park is below the street surface as if follows the banks of Fern Creek. The park is a garden with mostly native plants and Fern Creek is crossed by several paths and foot bridges.
Tichnor Quality Views
Original <span>5.5 x 3.5 inch </span>color postcard by Tichnor Quality Views, 1938: Orange News Company, Orlando, Florida: Private Collection of Thomas Cook.
Orange News Company
Delaney, J.
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Dickson-Azalea Park, Orlando, Florida
Cincinnati, Ohio
St. Petersburg, Florida
Tamiami, Florida