FLORENCE– Mayor Steve Holt is pleased to announce that the City of Florence has
begun the process to develop an area at the corner of Jackson Road and Cox Creek Parkway for a
public access and nature area along Cypress Creek and Cox Creek for the recreation and
enjoyment for all. The multi-phased project will begin as soon as any necessary permits are
obtained and weather conditions permit.
Phase 1 will be the construction of a parking area concurrently with a significant safety project
on Cox Creek Parkway by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). ALDOT’s
safety project on Cox Creek Parkway is designed to improve traffic safety and provide
maintenance access to the bridge in the area where canoers and kayakers currently park and
launch for scenic float trips on Cypress Creek. Fortunately, the ALDOT project on the State
right-of-way presented an unexpected opportunity for the enhancement of the City of Florence’s
project to provide boaters and kayakers parking and safe access to Cypress Creek. Completion of
this project will provide the public access to Cypress Creek for a float trip that can end and exit
at Florence’s Wildwood Park, creating the only designed public access points of entrance and
exit on this scenic natural resource.
Phase 2 will provide public access to the remaining undisturbed area of the 22 acres that were
purchased recently to provide a natural buffer for the Cypress Creek drinking water treatment
plant. While the goal is to maintain the bulk of the property in its natural state, that does not
mean that the area cannot be enjoyed by those that wish to take a leisurely walk, bird watch, or
fish along Cypress Creek and Cox Creek. Phase 2 plans are to have walking trails that wind
through the property from the Phase 1 parking lot, along Cox Creek, Cypress Creek, and return
to the parking lot.
As a Sustainable Community, this project is an appropriate addition to the City of Florence as it
seeks to move from a TVA Gold Sustainable Community to a Platinum Sustainable Community.
Further announcements will be made as this project progresses.
Media Release/Sandra Morgan, Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Florence
