Activities at O’Leno and River Rise
O’Leno’s dense forests and sandhill topography have served for decades as a living laboratory for field trips attracting schoolchildren, biology majors and University of Florida graduate students alike for in-depth studies of northcentral Florida’s unique flora and fauna.
Click on each photo to enlarge.
Grist Mill Pavilion, a Friends of O’Leno project, is open for viewing! Please stop by and take a look at some of the original grist mill artifacts on display from the mid 19th century town of Leno, which is now the site of O’Leno State Park.
New! A Nature Center at our own O'Leno State Park due to open sometime in 2010. Funds from events will go to complete the Nature Center and purchase a power point system for use in the multi purpose use dining hall.
Pangea Missing River Adventure Race took place May 1, 2010. Adventure Racing is a combination of two or more endurance disciplines. Basically teams are given a map with check points and may the best team win, of course! In the beautiful setting of our park this event was enjoyed by participants and on-lookers, all! Check out the photos of this year’s race.
O’Leno Olé Chili Cook-off and Springs Celebration 2011 By popular demand The Friends
of O’Leno will be host to another CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International, Inc.)
Chili Cook-off, Mar 26, 2011 at O’Leno State Park. Bring your favorite chili recipe and compete with the best during this CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) sanctioned chili cook off. You do not have to be a member to participate. There will be prizes for 1st - 10th place in the cook off, and 1st - 3rd place for the Showmanship competition. CASI rules can be found at Chili Appreciation Society International, Inc.. Or you can compete in the Open category where anything goes! The prizes are for 1st - 5th place winners in the Open category. Contestants must be 18 years or older. Purchase a sample kit and vote for the “Peoples Choice” Award. For pre-registration and more information email Friends of O'Leno at FriendsofOleno@windstream.net or get ready now! Print the 2011 Chili Cook-Off Registration Form and send it on in!
And, make the Sink to Springs connection at the 2011 Springs Celebration! Learn all about the Floridian Aquifer and enjoy hands-on water activities, presentations, videos and live music.
Chili Cook Off: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. Fee: $20 per team for either category or both for $35. Everything else free with paid park admission.
Springs Celebration: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
To learn
more about CASI and CASI rules go to: www.chili.org. For any questions contact Harriet Walsh at 386-454-4806 or email: FriendsofOleno@windstream.net
for more information.
River Rise Rally will be held April 9, 2011. This is a fun event for all levels of horse riders. There will be three paces with three distances in the competition for a predetermined but, unknown to the riders, time. This is not a speed event but, an elapsed time event where the rider tries to figure out what time the Rally management rider did the ride in. Prizes will be awarded to the three riders in each of the three rides who come the closest to the predetermined time. Registration fee is required. For more information contact Ed Bisch at 352-463-0668.
River Rise Romp will be December 4, 2010. This is a nationally accredited AERC endurance race through River Rise Preserve State Park. Enter the 25 mile or 50 mile competition. Register early, there is limited space. Camping is available. For more information contact Ed Bisch at 352-463-0668 or go to www.AERC.org .
The very popular Race the Tortoise O’Leno State Park
5K run will take place March 5, 2011. Entry Forms available at: www.floridastateparks.org/oleno/Events.cfm
Click on O’Leno State Park, then events. Or print the 2011 5K Run Registration Form and send it on in!
Now check out the photos of the 2009 5K run and the 2010 5K Run pictures are coming soon! (2010 5K t-shirts are available at the Ranger Station)
Contra Dancing continues through the Winter and Spring at the Rec Hall. Call the Ranger station at (386) 454-1853 for date and times or just click and check out our information page.
Items for sale at the Ranger Station:
A New Cookbook. The new Friends of O’Leno Cookbook is now available at the Ranger Station for $5.
Friend’s of O’Leno Coffee Mugs now available at the Ranger Station, $4.
2010 5K Race the Tortoise t-shirts will be available while supplies last.
‘Springs of North Florida, the Mystery of River Rise’, a DVD, for sale at the Ranger Station. Price $22 (includes tax).
The CSO also sponsors other activities from time to time to generate income
for special projects to improve facilities and services at the Park. For further
information about activities going on at the park check:
www.floridastateparks.org/oleno/Events.cfm
. All scheduled events are listed and additional information is given
about the event.