Beautiful pristine waterfront at risk of being lost for developers. Two local businessmen come to the rescue to save this historic place.
THE PERFECT AFTERNOON
It was the perfect day, mid-January, the sun warmed our faces, a cool, cool breeze fills the air; yes, it was the perfect afternoon. For a short time we pretended that we were away from the hectic and frantic hustle and bustle of the rest of the world. We drift along the peaceful current, occasionally putting our paddle in the water to point us in the right direction. We stopped; I said, “Listen to that.” Patrick said silently, “What?” I let go and said, “Nothing, that’s it, the sound of nothing, just peace and quiet.”
The perfect afternoon started at Kings Landing, where we launched our canoe and paddled down the dirty channel that led us to the Wekiva River. Bob Loomis invited us to test the landing. In fact, to see the great work that is being done.
We paddled through the thick mix of mud, fallen wood, and trash like canal debris, and when we reached the mouth of the river that joined the canal, it looked beautiful. The water so crystal clear that you could see all the way to the bottom. It was as if you were looking through a sheet of glass.
We stopped at a sandbar, pulled up our jeans, kicked off our shoes, and plunged into the cool, crystal-clear water. We were excited by the moment cold water splashed our legs. The memories quickly returned when I recall my teenage years spending time on the river. We laughed and frolicked in the water for a few moments while stopping every now and then to take photos of the four Loomis children who love the river they live in. Mark, Jimmy, Steven, and Trevor gave us a spectacular show as they took turns climbing 50 to 60 feet high in the air and grabbing the big swing rope thrown at them.
On the count of three they would jump. “One, two, three … ready?” They said. Suddenly, they let go of the perch they were standing on and flew over the river waters below them, and they let go. We captured the camera while splashing the cold water. It was great to be standing around wanting to be kids again.
For as long as I can remember, Kings Landing, Rock Springs and Wekiva Springs Park & Marina were the favorite places for young people. The average day trip consisted of renting the canoe at Kings Landing, leisurely paddling upstream, and we would stop along the way to swim, have a picnic, and look at turtles and baby alligators. We also went to Rock Springs and rented tubes down the river. Usually it was a long, hot, and exhausting day, but we were adventurous and resilient. When we weren’t together as a couple, we were at Kings Landing with our church youth group for a day trip. Yes, Kings Landing was the place to go.
We raised our children near the river and on weekends we took them to Kings Landing to canoe down the same paddle trail; we would stop and share our river stories with them.
We grew up on the river and we knew it would be there forever.
Now, 33 years later, Kings Landing was at risk of being lost. Recently, Bob and Steven Loomis of Loomis Funeral Home have come to my attention that Kings Landing could have been just a mere memory, and those memories we made as children would be all that we had left.
There are many people who have grown up in this area and have fond memories of the Wekiva River. Those who live in Apopka and Northwest Orange County have much to be proud of and thankful for. Not everyone has the same opinion when it comes to natural resources, ecology and the environment. While we all want to do our part in preservation, doing our part may not always be enough to avoid losing one of our most valuable resources.
LANDING HISTORY
For decades, Apopka has been known for the Wekiva River. Kings Landing, Wekiva Marina, Rock Springs Park, Katie’s Landing, and Wekiva Springs State Park form the river system that flows through our area.
Ownership of the Kings Landing canoe rental stand has been privately owned for all these years by Gabby Gardner and her partner, Ted Kirkland. Gabby and Ted operated the Kings Landing canoe rental business that caters to outdoor enthusiasts both locally and those who travel by canoe for this popular rowing race.
Unless you are an avid reader of sports guides and outdoor life magazines, or belong to an outdoor adventure group, you may not know that this rowing track has been rated number one in Florida for years. Central. The second would be to paddle through the canals and ponds in the Titusville and Brevard County area. In fact, many rowing tour groups and kayakers from around the country come here to enjoy the paddle and canoe trail. Being an avid kayaker, enjoying paddlenews.net, and belonging to the Wilderness Trekkers group, I have realized the popularity of this place.
DESTRUCTION BY HURRICANE
During the devastation of the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes, this property and the river passes were damaged and filled with debris, rendering the river virtually impassable by canoes and kayaks. As new owners Bob and Steven Loomis put it, “Only an experienced kayaker could have made it through.” As a result, the property remained for a long time and Kings Landing was becoming less and less popular. The entire landing zone has been littered with trees and debris.
This popular access and launch area for canoes, kayaks to the Wekiva River no longer existed. The damage surrounding the canal area and the passage to the river mouth was enormous, too much for the owners to restore. Believe it or not, and unbeknownst to all of us, this most valuable part of Apopka might have been lost to developers who would have had the only public access to the famous Wekiva River. If we ignore these valuable resources, we could be in danger of losing them to developers who delight in buying valuable vacant lots and developing large new communities.
Most of us wouldn’t want to see the only accessible entrance to the Wekiva River blocked by an iron gate that requires visitors to have an entry code to enter a high-rise condo building that lines the banks of the beautiful Wekiva River.
LANDING SALVATION
As I write these words, I am sure I share the pulse and heartbeat of Bob and Steve Loomis, the new owners of Kings Landing. If you could present yourself to the communities around Apopka and in Northwest Orange County, they would say, “Help us clean, restore and preserve the only access to this river for the public.” That is exactly the reason behind your recent purchase of this valuable and well-known natural place and business. Bob and Steven are really passionate about their motives. They want people to know that they have no other goal in mind except to protect and preserve the pristine canals of the Kings Landing canoe and kayak route.
Many people are unaware of the details surrounding this wonderful, natural and historic landmark. On December 22, 2006, Bob and Steven Loomis purchased this place for their own enjoyment and for their children. “It is important that people know this,” said Bob Loomis. We want them to know our intention, motivation and plans ”.
It is also important to Bob and Steven that everyone living in Apopka and the surrounding areas know why they rushed to the front to make this acquisition. This property was not purchased for resale from developers, to build or to build. Bob and Steven are aware of what they now own and are committed to renovating, restoring and preserving the pristine river, so that canoeists and kayakers can enjoy it.
THE VISION
In the past, the famous Kings Landing may not have had the best of care and management, but Steven and Bob are very convinced that this is a family place. This will be a place that will be free of alcohol, so that people, companies, groups and basically everyone can come here to canoe, fish, swim, have a picnic, swing from the ropes of the trees and enjoy the otters, the black bear and other wild animals of Florida. they inhabit the banks of the Wekiva River. Black bears are all over this place.
Visitors have basically two options: one is to rent canoes and make the trip to Wekiva Marina, an 8 mile 3 1/2 to 4 hour paddle. They can make arrangements in advance for the shuttle to take them back to the place of origin. Or, if they prefer, visitors can take out their canoes a few miles to swim, fish, have a picnic on the banks of the river, and then return.
Now the cleanup at Kings Landing is complete. The canoes are all restored and waiting. You can bring the kids too! There are canoes with Care Bears, Star Wars, ET and many other characters painted on them. This place has always had rave reviews and has been known as one of the best spots for anglers, as well as a great place to take that beginner on a fishing trip.
Since the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005, this part of the river has been inaccessible and the waters are not extracted. It’s almost a “guaranteed catch,” according to Bob Loomis. This, of course, means that there is a good chance that you will catch a fish when you come out. Bob is adamant about visitors sticking to the rules. “We will be very strict with our rules, such as catch and release only, not styrofoam coolers, and again, absolutely no fish out of the water,” he said. In that sense, we have been invited to fish for that huge bass.
Bob Loomis has two sons, Jimmy, 13, and Mark, 10. They are both in Boy Scout Troop 211 in Apopka. Steven Loomis also has two sons, Steven, 10, and Trevor, 6. “This was bought for our kids,” Bob said. “We want to give them this so they can one day run and own it. Right now, the kids love life on the river, they go out early on the weekends and start fishing and swimming,” said Steven Loomis. “The problem is finding them for lunch.”
THE LANDING OF THE NEW KINGS
Kings Landing is now up and running. From business groups to paddle tennis groups and families, everyone is welcome. The river passage is now open and free of hurricane debris. This is an easy and very enjoyable trip for anyone from a beginner to the more experienced rowers. Hours are Wednesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. M. At 1:00 p. M., Saturdays and Sundays, from 9:00 a.m. M. Until dark. Return transfers will operate on those days, at 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Groups wishing to paddle out and bring in debris to help clean up can call Steven Loomis at 407-467-8290. Kings Landing also offers a great river experience. There will be a Moonlight Paddle, with a master storyteller. The groups will leave around 5pm and arrive at a destination where there will be a bonfire, so they can cook dinner and tell stories, then row back to the landing.
Bob and Steven Loomis would like everyone to know that this property could have been bought by someone with other intentions for its future. If this property were closed to public access, there would be no other path for the paddle tennis court except the Wekiva Marina. We can all be grateful to them that they did not allow this to happen. We can all relax and know that Kings Landing will always be a family place of fun and recreation thanks to Bob and Steven Loomis. Jimmy, Mark, Steven and Trevor will grow up at Kings Landing learning the family business and protecting this precious place for us.
Written by: Shelley Costello copyright 2006
