Orange River Buckingham Road at Cemetary Road

Hey Betsy,

I was paddling the Orange River this morning and came accross a Blueway access sign near Buckingham Road. I exited there to find a mowed corner lot with some small trees planted and large oaks. As a county employee, it sort of looked like county property, but the gate had a combination lock, and not the standard one we use. This is not on the website as a put in spot, but there is a sign there and it is very close to where I live, making it an attractive spot if I could access the gate. You take your life in your hands at the corner of Cemetary and Buckingham and parking is limited.

Any info on this location would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Bob DeBrock
Landscape Supervisor
Lee Co DOT/Ops
Bobdebrock@yahoo.com
rdebrock@leegov.com

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Comments

Orange River in Buckingham

Submitted by Betsy on July 13, 2009.

The place you refer to is listed on the Phase 3/yellow Caloosahatchee map under "Access-only Points" as letter G -- the Orange River Canoe Park. (The designation "access only" means it's not a "highlight" or a well marked, well used put in or landing.)

Turns out, that park is on hold during challenging fiscal times. But the land is public and there is access to the river there. You just can't park. The gate is locked, which means, as you point out, risking traffic as you carry your kayak from vehicle to riverbank. Also, please note the river bank there can be difficult to launch from once you do finally get your boat over there.

Maybe the best thing to do is to launch from Manatee Park and wait for happier financial and economic times to return so the place can be turned into a more accessible launch site.

Orange River in Buckingham

Submitted by Bob DeBrock on August 1, 2009.

Thanks for the info. I don't have an issue getting the kayak accross the property or getting in or out as long as I don't get my truck towed from parking accross the street in the community center parking area. I try to leave it at the furthest point down Cemetary Road to be out of the way.
Manatae Park is ok, but this spot is closer to home and I can get in a quick couple of hours in the mornings on busy weekends. Very peaceful and pretty in this area!!