Swampy’s Florida Outdoors Everyday: P.E.A.R. Park, west of Leesburg.

by on February 17, 2022 at 1:01 pm
Posted In: Florida Outdoors

There are neat areas along the trail(s) in this park. However, most trails are, what I call, Driveway Trails. Prior to Lake County recently redoing this park, there were outstanding areas that put one in the beautiful wonder of a river’s shore and trees and foliage native to it. That’s mostly all gone. After the ton of cash poured in, I couldn’t figure where the original area was.

This is, what I call, a Checklist Park. Clearly Lake County wanted to cover all sorts of currently thought park stuff to add to a community area and stuffed it all in this. There’s retention area, pickle-ball court, dog trail, baseball field, playground, bike trail, exercise area, community garden, bird watching area, overlook pavilion, etc., etc. All too much for one spot as very different people come to this area doing very different activities. Elderly to play pickle ball. Kids to play baseball. Hikers looking for a peaceful hike. Aggressive bikers looking for action. Messy end result.

Also unneeded pressure to, what’s left of, the Palatlakaha River. The river is more a stream that gets extra polluted by this park. Whatever the stream collects ends up in the more and more pressured Lake Harris.

Lake County has gained a deserved reputation for over building park areas. All are contractor dreams…which tells a lot as to why each are over done. Some in low population areas that don’t need all that is stuffed in each park. Worse, the over building takes away from the natural needs of each park, whether that park be in Paisley, Astor or Fellsmere.

Bottom line: I suggest going to non-Lake County parks for a more natural experience.
If you want to visit, you can go to Lake County parks site and scroll down to the park information and download an overall park map.
WARNING: There are two entrances to this park. Lake County sends you way out of the way to end up away from most of the amenities. the real main entrance is along US27, directly across from the entrance to the Highlands Lakes development.
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