Nature
Alafia River State Park in central Florida, southeast of Tampa near Picnic, preserves land whose distinctive terrain was shaped by a long history of phosphate mining. The area had already attracted local recreation by the early 1880s, especially around Hurrah Lake, but later became the site of the Lonesome Mine, operated by American Cyanamid and Brewster Phosphates until mining ceased to be commercially viable. Donated to the state by Cytec Industries in 1996, the land was preserved as a park. Reclamation and remaining mine features created steep hills and small lakes, supporting a major outdoor recreation area especially known for mountain biking on nationally recognized trails.
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Florida · United States
