NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

February 1, 1999

CONTACT: Sam McKinney (352) 732-1225

ORANGE LAKE GETS NEW FISHING PIER

Heagy-Burry Park in north Marion County has long been one of the few places on Orange Lake where people without a boat can fish from the bank. Now there's another angling opportunity at the park - a brand new fishing pier!

The new handicapped-accessible pier is a joint project of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Marion County, and will be officially opened at a special dedication on Friday, Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m., at the park.

The public is invited as state and county officials, as well as representatives from Redd Team Manufacturing - the company that designed, built and installed the new pier - make the first official cast and open the pier to the public.

"This is a good example of what can be accomplished when agencies work together for a project that people can use and enjoy," said Sam McKinney, regional fisheries biologist for the FWC.

The large aluminum fishing pier is T-shaped and floats offshore so anglers have a choice of fishing near the shoreline vegetation or in open water. The rail system is designed to accommodate standing or seated anglers, and the aluminum decking and recycled plastic cap rails will keep maintenance low. The pier is connected to the parking lot by a sidewalk that meets the standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

The pier cost $16,284 to build, which was paid for by the FWC using fishing license revenues and Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration funds. Marion County constructed the ADA approved sidewalk and parking lot, and will maintain the park grounds.

The pier and park additions are part of the continuing efforts to revitalize interest in fishing in Orange Lake, which has been a FWC Fish Management Area since 1965. In addition, during the past year the Commission has removed several acres of large floating tussocks (islands of vegetation) from the lake to improve the fishery and open more areas of the lake to anglers.