Press Release

Shoal Creek Preserve Opens June 24 for Public Use

June 22, 2005

The Forever Wild Land Trust’s Shoal Creek Preserve Tract will be open to the public beginning June 24. The tract, which is in Lauderdale County, consists of 298 acres of fallow fields, mature upland hardwood forest and scenic creek bottoms. It is managed by the Alabama State Lands Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Beginning Friday, June 24 the parking lot will open daily 1 hour and 30 minutes before sunrise and close 1 hour and 30 minutes after sunset. This tract is managed under a multiple-use philosophy for traditional recreational activities and has a 4.5-mile loop hiking trail and 2.0-mile loop horseback riding trail.

This tract will also be open to public hunting as provided under the laws of the State and Lauderdale County as designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Legal arms for deer and hogs will be limited to primitive weapons.

Shoal Creek Preserve is located approximately 3 miles north of the St. Florian community north of Florence, Alabama. The tract can be accessed from Lauderdale County Road 61. A parking area is located approximately one-half mile off Lauderdale County road 61. The trailhead for both trails is located on the north side of this large parking area. The hiking trail is limited to foot traffic only. Horseback riding is permitted on marked trails only. ATVs and bicycles are not permitted. Additionally, camping is not permitted.

This tract was purchased through the efforts of the Forever Wild Land Trust, a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant awarded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the City of Florence and the Lauderdale County Commission 

Click here for more information about the Shoal Creek Preserve Tract or the Forever Wild Program or call the State lands Division at 1-800-LAND-ALA.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

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