APALACHICOLA PADDLING TRAIL RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

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9/20/2006

APALACHICOLA PADDLING TRAIL RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
CONTACT: Liz Sparks (850) 922-6160

Fall foliage, like this cypress tree reflected on the coffee-colored waters of the Apalachicola Paddling Trail, add to the picturesque scenery that earned the trail’s distinction as one of the American Canoe Association’s 12 most recommended water trails in the country. - (FWC photo by Liz Sparks) The American Canoe Association has named the Apalachicola Paddling Trail System in Franklin County as one of the 12 most recommended water trails in the United States for 2006.

The Apalachicola Paddling Trails, in the Apalachicola Wildlife and Environmental Area, were developed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Office of Recreation Services.

The system offers 12 paddling trails, accessible for canoeists and kayakers with all levels of abilities. The shortest trails are 2 miles long, while others are 4-12 miles and offer pleasant half- or full-day paddling trips.

Paddlers can explore the quiet, calm creeks meandering through cypress-tupelo swamps or enjoy vistas of the open bay and salt marsh.

Liz Sparks of Tallahassee paddles her kayak up Whiskey George Creek in the FWC’s Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area. The creek is part of the Apalachicola Paddling Trail – one of the 12 most recommended canoe or kayak trails in the country. - (Photo by Doug Alderson) Longer, overnight options are available, and primitive camping is allowed throughout the management area with no fees or permits required.

Liz Sparks, an FWC recreational planner, said the FWC is honored the trail was recognized among the best in the country.

“We encourage people to use the trails throughout the year, but the fall and spring are when the temperature is better, and there are fewer bugs,” she said. “These are also great months to view flowering plants along the trails, fish or watch wildlife.”

To be designated as a canoe association-recommended water trail, which includes permission to use the association’s logo on maps, signs and other printed materials related to the trail, the trail must meet a set of basic criteria and stand out as particularly good destination for paddlers. Requirements include:

	The trail must be a contiguous or semi-contiguous waterway or series of waterways, open to recreational paddlers;
	The trail must have public access points for paddlers;
	The trail must be covered by a map, guide, signage or a Web site that is of reasonable quality and detail and available to the public;
	Published or printed materials for the trail (guidebook, map, signs, Web site) must communicate low-impact ethics to trail users; and
	The trail must be supported and/or managed by one or more organizations.

To receive a free copy of the Apalachicola Paddling Trail System map, call (850) 488-5520 or go to MyFWC.com/recreation/Apalachicola_river/paddling.asp.

The American Canoe Association’s headquarters is in Springfield, Va.

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