Bagdad Mill Site Park

The Bagdad Mill Site's natural characteristics were altered in the twentieth century when the property was used as a prestress concrete plant from 1977 to 1992 and an asphalt plant from 1995 to 1999. After the asphalt company could no longer continue operations, the land was donated to the State of Florida on the condition that it be used to conserve and protect natural and historical resources. The county then subleased the site from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways and Trails to develop a park. Since 2005, the Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership has helped conserve the site and support the county's development efforts on the 22-acre property. In 2006, a master planning process was held and a management plan was developed, and in 2007 a technical assistance grant from the Florida Department of Community Affairs funded a study of the retaining wall along the river's edge to begin determining needed improvements. A National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant supported development of a master plan and conceptual layout of park amenities in 2008. Volunteers planted trees and installed an irrigation system, and in 2009 more volunteer hours were invested there than at any other Florida Office of Greenways and Trails park in the state. With assistance from the State of Florida, the vacant concrete buildings left by the asphalt plant were demolished in 2010. In 2011, the park became part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System, a groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of improvements was held in 2013, and that phase was completed in 2016.

Bagdad, Florida · United States