The Island — Attraction in Belleview

I currently serve as the president of the American Canal Society and I love to find little parks such as The Island that help to tell the story of our canals. The Island helps to tell the story of the never completed Cross Florida Barge Canal. As a place where the canal was to be, but never was, this park is better interpreted then many canal parks that I have been to. It is not a large park and you can explore it in about an hour, if you stop to read every sign. It should not serve as a destination, rather as a stop in journey, a place to walk the dog or let the kids run about. Park on the grass off to the side of the sheriff's driveway. The sign says that a bathroom can be found in the sheriff's building. Then take a walk and enjoy. If it wasn't for the constant buzz of the traffic, you would never know you were walking between two roads. The Island marks the site where the highway was to cross the barge canal on a high bridge. Four of the concrete piers that would have supported the bridge were built, but then the project was cancelled. By that time, the highway had been rebuilt around the site, so all was left as a small island in the...

This is a very interesting part of Florida history. At one time there were plans to build a ship canal from the Gulf of Mexico to the East Coast. But it looks like after starting out and building part of it, they ran our of support and money to finish it. This area is next to Santos Camping grounds and is a neat place to walk/hike. There is a trail that goes back into the woods were there are plaques set up explaining the history of the Florida Barge Canal. There are large cement bridge pilings that were built but never completed, and with the over growth looks like it came out of an apocalyptical movie.. lol. If you find your self in Ocala or close to this area, stop in and visit and learn something about Florida history that not many people know of, since it was started...

Fantastic little park behind the sheriff's station. Does a fantastic job of explaining the history as well as the pros and cons of the barge canal project and why it was ultimately abandoned. Great place to go for a little Florida history. Some of the plaques have fallen when I was there 7/25, but I'm not gonna take a star off for that. It's not big. 30 mins is enough, but if you find yourself in the area and want to see actual buildings related to the barge project, do not miss this. Parking is well marked and in the grass to the west (right) as you pull into the...