The Lake County Parks & Trails Division, in partnership with the PEAR Association, is inviting residents to attend an open house and native plant & wildflower fundraiser sale at the Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Reserve (PEAR Park), located at 4800 University Ave., Leesburg on Saturday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The open house will provide an opportunity to see the spring wildflowers in bloom at the demonstration gardens, along with some of the 160 species of birds and over 50 species of butterflies that have been identified at the park. Lake County Park Rangers will also be on-hand to lead a bird hike at 7 a.m., and another hike at 9 a.m. to explore and identify butterflies.
During the plant & wildflower sale, over 1,000 Central Florida native trees, shrubs and wildflowers will be available for purchase. Plants being offered are suitable for Florida’s scrub and sand hill soils, and are drought tolerant. Plant experts will be available to assist in offering advice on selecting and maintaining items. Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit programs and improvements at PEAR park.
PEAR Association members will also be highlighting features of the Science and Nature Center, the demonstration gardens, ongoing projects at the park and available volunteer opportunities.
Food concessions will be present at the event.
PEAR Park is the largest County park at 318 acres. The back 268 acres boasts a community garden, native butterfly garden, xeric garden, two scenic pavilions and access to 4 miles of hiking and nature trails. The front 50 acres contains a playground, ball fields and dog park.
For more information, call the Lake County Parks & Trails Division at (352) 253-4950, e-mail [email protected] or log on to www.lakecountyfl.gov/parks.
