From the Ocala star Banner.
Now, one of the more attractive pieces of property in the gap - to both environmentalists and commercial water bottling companies - is up for sale. The question is whether there is the money, interest and time to purchase the property and add it to the Greenway, the 110-mile stretch of woods and recreational trails from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River, which decades ago was planned as a barge canal.

Not far southeast of the intersection of U.S. 441 and Southeast 80th Street, a bumpy car ride over wooded Greenway property and across railroad tracks gets you to Paradise Springs, 4040 S.E. 84th Lane Road.

Amid the live oak trees on this almost 10-acre property, the ground drops some 20 feet to a wooden staircase leading into pool of crystal clear water. Under the surface water and a limestone shelf, an underwater cavern system fed by the Floridan aquifer stretches down for more than 160 feet. Paradise Springs' popularity as a scuba diving spot was evident last week, when Quebec residents Alain Thinel and Jennifer Dufour wrapped up their vacation hitting diving spots across Florida with a visit here.