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Sports and Recreation
Where Can You Find "The Real
Florida?" Right Here,
Naturally
Thousands of square miles of unspoiled recreation areas and natural wonders are the hallmarks of our
corner of the Golden Triangle.
When Spanish explorers arrived in our area they believed that they had finally found the legendary
fountain of youth here at Marion County's fabled Silver Springs.
The entire region is dotted with 200 springs, spring-fed lakes, streams and rivers that are a boater's,
fisherman's, diver's and snorkeler's paradise.
Now, don't get us wrong, Marion County isn't just a great place for water sports - as you can see by
the map we're surrounded by Public Parklands and Preserves, Iike The Cross Florida Greenway along the northern border of
Marion Oaks.
The Cross Florida Greenway is a unique federal and state project that utilizes the right-of-way of the
defunct Cross Florida Barge Canal which was cancelled for good by President Nixon in 1971. Today this linear park and
nature trail follows the original proposed route of the barge canal from Palatka, on the St. Johns River to Yankeetown on
the Gulf Coast.
This major public works project is well underway creating a series of pedestrian underpasses and
overpasses, like the major, landscaped footbridge over I-75, just 1.5 miles north of our Exit 67. When completed in a few
years, hikers will be able to walk from coast to coast without encountering vehicular traffic.
All but three of Marion County's 25 parks
have docks and boat ramps,
including a pier for the
handicapped at Rodman
Reservoir on the Oklawaha
River.
The huge, 430,000 acre Ocala National Forest and the Withlacoochee State Forest, feature mile upon mile
of nature trails, like the Withlacoochee Trail, a over 70 mile long, paved bicycle path, where you can get out and explore
the real Florida wilderness.
With an abundance of deer, wild hog, wild turkey and waterfowl, the game preserves within these State
and National Forests are also a favorite with outdoor enthusiasts and nature photographers.
This Sportsman's Paradise is a Famous for Spectator Sports Too.
Within a 90 mile winner's circle you can cheer your favorite major league professional sports teams
with the WNBA's Orlando Miracle, the NBA's Orlando Magic, the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars, the
NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, and Major League Baseball's newest team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Our part of Florida is also a
major center for Major League Spring Training with more than a dozen teams and their minor league affiliates scattered
throughout the region. The most famous stadium, Legends Field in Tampa, is the winter home of the New York Yankees.
Millions of motor sports fans race to
our area each year to
see the Gator Nationals
in Gainesville and, of
course, the world-renowned
Daytona Motor Speedway,
the world's racing capital
and the birthplace of
NASCAR. And right next
door to Marion Oaks you'll
find the world's only
Museum devoted to the
sport of Drag Racing.
It's owned and operated
by the King himself, our
Marion Oaks neighbor,
Big Daddy Don Garlits.
Click here or on the image to go
to Don Garlits Website.
Our college sports programs are a source of pride to the entire state. Here in the Golden Triangle
you'll find South Florida's Bulls, Central Florida's Knights, and one of America's premiere collegiate powers, the Fighting
Florida Gators.
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