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INTRODUCTION INDIAN RIVER COUNTY JUNGLE TRAIL MANAGEMENT PLAN Jungle Trail, located on the northern portion of Orchid Island (the barrier island) in Indian River County, extends approximately seven (7) miles from Old Winter Beach Road north to its intersection with State Road AIA. The trail meanders along the eastern shore of the Indian River Lagoon; citrus groves, wooded areas (of both native and non-native plant species) and residential developments exist adjacent to Jungle Trail at various locations along the route. According to native residents of the area, Jungle Trail was originally a foot path in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s the trail had been further cleared by property owners for the purpose of horse and buggy access. In 1920, St Lucie County declared a county road (which in- cludes what is now Jungle Trail) from the north county line to the one bridge existing at that time in Vero Beach. This county road opened up the whole of the barrier island for farming, production and marketing of the world-famous citrus, tourism, and a commer- cial and sports fishery. The road also provided a way to reach the Sebastian Inlet, a popular recreation area. By 1928, three bridges connected the county road to the mainland, providing a link with the railroad for the fast growing tourist and citrus -based economy. In 1941, the county road was given the designation of Peninsula Road by the State of Florida. Because of the jungle -like growth along the road through tropical hammocks, windbreaks rows of tall Australian pines, a thick assortment of native understory, climbing vines, and introduced "ornamentals", the local name, Jungle Trail, came into being. In the mid -1960x, when AIA opened to the Sebastian Inlet, the only segment of Jungle Trail still in its original alignment was the 7 -mile segment from the Winter Beach Bridge Road to the inter- section with AlA. Today, that segment still follows its original alignment. Land use along Jungle Trail has evolved over time from jungle -like coastal hammock areas to extensive citrus groves and scattered single-family residences; now, and in the near future, exclusive multi -family developments are being established adjacent to large extents of the trail. It is anticipated that residential development will eventually be adjacent to Jungle Trail for virtually its entire length. The Indian River County Comprehensive Plan adopted in 1982 (and thereafter amended) established Jungle Trail as a scenic and historical road. In 1985, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 85-64, entitled "Scenic and Historical Roads," which sets forth objectives and general guidelines per- taining to roads identified as having scenic and historical significance. The objectives of the 1985 ordinance are: (1) To promote the safety and convenience of those members of the public traveling on scenic or historic roads; (2) To protect the natural and cultural heritage of historic or scenic roads and to enhance their resource value for enjoyment of future generations; (3) To protect the public interest in historic and scenic roads from activities, land uses, signs and the unneces- sary removal of native vegetation, which impair both the integrity of the road, its capacity for traffic, 'and its visual qualities; and -1-