The Trout Lake Nature Center Boardwalk is officially reopened for visitors to enjoy with a fresh new look. While efforts were paused for several years due to the pandemic, TLNC officially finished rebuilding and improving its more than 20-year-old boardwalk this summer with the help of generous donors. The project finished six weeks early and is now ready for visitors, students and volunteers.

Over the many years of use, approximately 380,000 people have taken the boardwalk to access Trout Lake to learn about marshes, aquatic insects and critters, participate in water quality sampling, and enjoy nature. It is an important part of TLNC’s education programs and almost every visitor walks the boardwalk. Improvements were made as part of the renovation to expand and relocate Dragonfly Point – one of the group’s teaching areas – replace the decking with composite or recycled plastic boards, extend the boardwalk to avoid flooding and reduce the slope to increase accessibility.

With its opening, visitors can quietly observe a female alligator (estimated to be about seven feet long) protecting her nest which she built during construction – it’s not every day that people can safely observe an alligator and her nest. We estimate her eggs will hatch mid-August based on an alligator’s 60 to 65-day gestation period.

TLNC invites you to join them for an official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony which will be held on July 28, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the refurbished boardwalk and the many education opportunities it will continue to provide. Donors of this project include Walt Disney World Resort, SECO Energy Foundation, Lake County Water Authority and the Michael L. and Michelle M. Murphy Charitable Trust. Trout Lake Nature Center is extremely grateful for the support that has given their boardwalk a new life!

About Trout Lake Nature Center

Trout Lake Nature Center, a 230-acre preserve in Eustis, is a private, non-profit corporation established in 1988. TLNC’s mission is to conserve and protect the natural environment and educate the public about its importance. It is in its 35th year of operation. For further information, visit their website at troutlakenaturecenter.com.

Photo Credit: Trout Lake Nature Center

Date Posted: July 19, 2023