June 19, 2007 - City workers are continuing renovations and upgrades to Apoxee (pronounced uh-po-ee) Park, a wilderness area set aside for preservation, environmental education, and public enjoyment.  City crews have been treating and eradicating more than 75 acres of invasive and damaging vegetation, helping restore the park’s natural ecosystem.

City contractors primarily removed Melaleuca, along with other species such as Australian Pine, Brazilian Pepper, and Old World Climbing Fern.  These plant species are non-native, and are damaging to the park’s indigenous species.  The City’s commitment of staff and resources to conduct an ongoing invasive, exotic vegetation program and the environmental education outreach at Apoxee was matched with a grant from Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management’s Public Land Grant Program.

“Apoxee Park offers our residents and visitors an amazing opportunity to enjoy the unspoiled Florida wilderness,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel.  “Removing invasive species will help preserve this wonderful asset to our City.”

The City has previously removed invasive vegetation from more than 300 acres at Apoxee.

Apoxee Park is located on Jog Road, 1 mile north of Okeechobee Blvd.  The park entrance is on the west side of Jog Road.  For more information, contact Grassy Waters Preserve at (561) 627-8831.  Environmental education outreach activities are offered through the City’s Grassy Waters Preserve.  Interpretive guides offer interpretive nature walks and environmental education programs at the Preserve.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 at 8:31 am and is filed under Mayor's Office, Parks and Recreation. It is Copyrighted © by The City of West Palm Beach (2009). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.