[at-l] The Nearest Trail

[bluetrail at aol.com (bluetrail@aol.com)]

With all the talk about urban vs suburban vs rural, I got an e-mail from Sandy Friend (a used-to-be member of this list).  Sandy now has a webpage that details some hikes in Florida.  She recently did a short write-up about the trail nearest my home (7 minutes away by car).  Thought you might enjoy it:
 
http://www.floridahikes.com/blog/2006/02/revisiting-little-big-econ.html
 
There is a current philosophy of urban planning that says residential/commercial density is the way to go to save more open space, rather than say 1/4 to 1 acre lots.  Even 5 or 10-acre lots disturb wildlife habitat--fences, "rennovated" landscape, noise, introduction of dogs and cats and perhaps horses, and human intrusion make an area unliveable for some species.  One alternative being touted says to cluster homes densely and leave more open space as wide undeveloped swaths that provide better habitat.  The goal of one central Florida regional initiative is to have natural lands within a 20-minute drive of every resident.  Not sure that the goal is reachable from the perspective of downtown Orlando, but I am now within 7-30 minutes of a state forest and 6 county natural lands of 150 acres or more.  All these areas have hiking trails.  It's not a long trail, but it sure makes a great walk in the woods.
 
Joan
bluetrail@aol.com