neighborhoods

Florida Living At It's Best!

Ocala/Marion County Size & Population
Marion County is the 5th largest county in the State
of Florida encompassing 1,652 square miles
or 1.03 million acres.
Although mostly rural, there are five incorporated
cities within the County:
Belleview, Dunnellon, McIntosh, Reddick,
and Ocala, which is the largest.

Distances From Ocala:
Gainesville -- 35 mi. Gulf of Mexico -- 45 mi.
Orlando -- 75 mi. Tampa/St. Pete -- 95 mi.
Atlantic Ocean Beaches -- 64 mi.

Cross Florida Greenway
Baseline to Marshall Swamp
Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico
to the St. Johns River, Cross Florida
Greenway occupies much of the land
formerly known as the Cross Florida
Barge Canal. This 110-mile corridor
encompasses a variety of natural
habitats and offers an array of trails
and recreation areas. The Baseline
to Marshall Swamp area offers two
trails, providing visitors the
opportunity to experience a paved
urban trail, or escape to a secluded
hiking trail that weaves through the
cypress swamp and hardwood
hammock communities of Marshall
Swamp. Access to both is just
minutes from downtown Ocala and
Silver Springs.

Silver Springs Theme Park
Ocala is home to Silver Springs
Theme Park and Wild Waters
Attraction Park. Silver Springs
is the world's largest artesian
spring formation. The attraction
offers glass bottom boat rides,
jeep safaris, animal shows, and
weekend concerts featuring
celebrity headliners such as
George Jones and Clint Black.
Wild Waters offers water slides,
wave pool, and kiddie area.
They are conveniently located
next door to each other. Also
offered throughout the year are
various holiday celebrations,
car shows, and various
fundraising events for charities.

Beautiful Ocala/Marion County is the horse capital of
the world! Boasting a unique mixture of lifestyles
within it's boundaries, our rolling hills and majestic
tree-lined scenic country roads delight many visitors.

Every year thousands of new residents call Marion County home, keeping it
among the fastest growing areas in the nation. Our welcoming atmosphere
makes transitions easy. Our variety of housing ensures that there are homes
to suit every taste, lifestyle, and budget. Centrally located in the heart of
Florida, Ocala/Marion County is the ideal location to live. It is a short drive
from Gainesville & the University of Florida to the north, world famous
Daytona Beach to the east, fun-filled Orlando with theme parks & a major
airport to the south, or fromt the beautiful & relaxing beaches on the Gulf of
Mexico. With scenic countryside, shady forests, and crystal-clear waterways,
Ocala/Marion County is a treasured place to live.

Ocala National Forest

The Ocala National Forest is located
east of Ocala between the Ocklawaha
and St. Johns Rivers and is one of
the most heavily used National
Forests in the United States.
Water plays an important part in a
variety of recreational opportunities
on the forest. There are huge springs,
twisting streams, and lakes for
fishing and water skiing.
Salt Springs, Alexander Springs,
Juniper Springs, and Silver Glen
Springs invite many visitors to take a
cool dip. Snorkelers frequently find a
thrilling underwater view of fish,
swaying vegetation, and cavernous
springs.
Home to a variety of plant, animal,
and bird life like the threatened
Florida scrub jay, and red-bellied,
red-headed and pileated
woodpeckers. Big-game include black
bear, white-tailed deer, bald eagles,
osprey, northern bobwhite, and wild
turkey.
Popular attractions
Lake George Trail
Paisley Woods Bicycle Trail

Appleton Museum of Art
The Appleton Museum of Art is the focal
point of the Appleton Cultural Center, a
44-acre complex which also includes the
Ocala Civic Theatre and the Pioneer
Garden Club. The Appleton Museum of
Art in Ocala is one of the South's premier
art galleries and education centers.
Originally built to display and preserve the
collection of Arthur I. Appleton, the
museum has expanded to include traveling
exhibitions, educational programs, and
cultural events. The museum building is a
contemporary interpretation of classical
architecture clad in travertine marble. The
original museum building is a two-story
edifice of 45,000 square feet with 30,000
square feet devoted to gallery space.
Galleries are arranged in a quadrangle
which surrounds an interior courtyard and
fountain. Five large galleries are divided
into several smaller bays which enable
more intimate viewing of smaller objects.
Remaining space is allotted to a 250-seat
auditorium, administrative offices, and
storage. The 20,000 square foot
Edith-Marie Appleton Wing opened in
July 1996. It houses a 4,000 square foot
two-story exhibition gallery, three
conference rooms, an interactive video
classroom, an art library, a workshop, and
additional office and storage space.

Central Florida Community College
CFCC is a fully accredited, two-year
college that offers students the learning
opportunities of a large university with a
personal touch.
Campuses
Marion County Campus - Ocala
Levy County Campus - Chiefland
Citrus County Campus - Lecanto

CFCC's Hampton Center is an important
presence in the west Ocala area, offering
health occupations courses and
community outreach programs. The
University Center, Ewers Century Center,
and Webber Center Gallery serve students
and the community. The college
maintained a partnership interest in the
Appleton Museum of Art of Central
Florida Community College for more than
a decade before accepting full
responsibility for operations in 2004.

Marion County
Public Library
The Marion County Public
Library System provides public
library services to the residents
of Marion County. The
residents of Marion County are
served by the headquarters
library in Ocala and branches
in Belleview, Dunnellon, Forest
Corners, Ft. McCoy, Marion
Oaks, Rainbow Lakes Estates,
Reddick, and the Freedom
Public Library near the State
Road 200 corridor. The System
offers a collection of over
501,000 volumes in the nine
libraries and two bookmobiles.
The Marion County Public
Library is open 7 days a week.

Ocala/Marion County
Weather & Climate

Marion County School Board
Marion County Public Schools Vision is
“Leading the State in Raising Student
Performance.”
Our school system includes:
28 elementary schools
8 middle schools
2 combined elementary/middle schools
8 high schools
3 charter schools
1 community technical center
1 exceptional education school

As of October 16, 2008, there were 43,123
students attending Marion County public
schools.