The immediate neighborhood is a well-established rural residential and agriculture district. The overall trend of the area is continued residential use due to proximity to Gainesville, Jacksonville, Palatka and Hawthorne. The nearby St. Johns River extends from the south to Jacksonville and the Atlantic Ocean The Lakes at Orange Creek is located in the southwest quadrant of Putnam County outside of Gainesville, FL. The average January temperature is 58F, while the August average temperature is 82F. Annual rainfall is 52 inches. County population was 74,000 in 2005 and is projected to grow to 87,000 in 2010. Local industry includes wood pulp/papers, medical centers, consumer and corporate services, and retail. For further information, please call LOCAL ATTRACTIONS University of Florida, located in Gainesville, FL, is the largest university in the Florida State University System and the second-largest university in the United States. The University's 2,000 acre campus has more than 900 buildings and the northeast corner of campus is listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Florida Museum of Natural History, located in Gainesville, FL, is Florida's official natural history museum. The museum occupies three major buildings on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. The Florida Museum is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast. Gainesville Raceway, FL, has been made famous by its Gatornationals event, which it first held in 1970. Gainesville Raceway is considered one of the fastest tracks on the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racing circuit. Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, located near Gainesville, FL, is the only geological park in the state of Florida. The park is named after a 117 foot wide sinkhole that exists on the property. The name comes from the sinkholes similar appearance to the hopper of a mill, along with the bones found at the bottom, it was originally suggesting animals entered it on the way to meeting the devil. Welaka National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium was built by the State of Florida in 1926 and transfered to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1938. Welaka's aquarium is open daily and displays fish raised at the hatchery as well as other native species of fish, amphibians and reptiles. An observation tower and 0.75 mile nature trail also provides the opportunity to view many species of wildlife. Palatka Golf Club, designed by Donald Ross in 1925, borders the Ravine State Gardens. The Ross "turtleback" greens and well placed bunkers will give your game a test. With a recently installed retention pond, the club now offers an aqua driving range. Ocala National Forest is Florida's second largest national forest and covers over 607 square miles. Ocala offers year round recreation including camping, over 67 miles of hiking trails, a special 22 mile bike trail, and over 600 lakes and ponds for canoeing and kayaking. Ravine State Gardens Park is a 182-Acre State Park that has a nature trail, exercise course, and picnic areas. The 1.8 mile road around the ravines can be accessed by car, bike or walking. The Florida School of Arts is located in Palatka, the largest city in Putnam County. It is part of the academic and administrative structure of St. Johns River Community College. FloArts has its own arts facility, faculty, administrative staff, mission statement, and curricula specific to each degree program. For further information, please call Isabel Colonna |