Paula Dockery, a former state lawmaker, helped create the $55 million deal between the landowner and the state to form the 5,087-acre park in 2006. Now, Dockery is one of the park's biggest fans.

Dockery has long had a fondness for the park that's 16 miles north of Lakeland, just south of the Withlacoochee River off State Road 471. If you've ever traveled that back road to Bushnell, Ocala ...

“The water that’s passing right behind me right now is gonna end up in the Hillsborough River and then Tampa Bay," Lauritsen said. This 20 miles north of Lakeland is in Colt Creek State Park.

Normally it takes 10 years to open a state park after the property is purchased. Although full opening is probably years away, the planned limited opening will give the public some access.