Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring Lake Placid
Named after the town in New York where Melvil Dewey (of the Dewey Decimal System) moved from when he came to Florida to retire, Lake Placid started as a resort that Dewey started as a retirement project.
It’s a quiet town among the rolling hills of the Lake Wales Ridge, now known for its public art projects, murals large and small.
Trails and Parks near Lake Placid
Archbold Biological Station A pair of short loops provide close observations of rare scrub habitats at a historic research facility on the Lake Wales Ridge south of Lake Placid. 
Hickory Hammock Trail In deep shade near the Kissimmee River, a former section of the Florida Trail leads to a primitive backpacking site under majestic live oaks covered with ferns and Spanish moss. 
Highlands Hammock State Park One of Florida's oldest state parks, Highlands Hammock protects an old-growth forest while enabling you to explore it on a network of fascinating interpretive nature trails. 
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve State Park Atop 845 acres of the Lake Wales Ridge in Lake Placid, Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve has one of the highest concentrations of rare plants in North America.
Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Trails A trio of trails following established firelines provides a challenging 3.5 mile walk in Florida's own desert for an up close look at uncommon species endemic to ancient scrub.
Lake June-in-Winter Tomoka Trail Following the tannic flow of Tomoka Run, this short nature trail traversing scrub and bayhead at Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve is an introduction to the diverse nature of the Lake Wales Ridge. 
Lake Placid Scrub Home to Florida scrub-jays, this 3.5 mile loop in the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife & Environmental Area provides views of the lake and a walk through ancient scrub.
Platt Branch WEA At Platt Branch, Florida scrub-jays perch along trails through scrub, sandhills, and the southernmost longleaf pine forests where observation platforms overlook grassy prairie ponds. Articles
Dewey Litl Loj (10/3/2009) Did you know the creator of the Dewey Decimal System also created Lake Placid, Florida? Here's the story.