OAK HILL, Fla.Lori Richards and Daniel consider their neighborhood a little bit of paradise. The Indian River Lagoon’s Mosquito Lagoon RV Park is located in Oak Hill.
Lori Richards said it was windy, standing at the end a long peninsula that extends into the river. She laughed, “It’s the windiest place that I have ever lived.” It’s either wind or bugs. It is called Mosquito Lagoon because of its name.
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The couple watches as boat traffic moves by. Barges, pleasure boats, and working fishermen navigate past small sand bars or mangrove-covered islands.
Both are native Floridians. They chose the small community of only 40 homes because of the rural charm of the area. They call themselves and their neighbors Lagoonies.
Lori explained that Oak Hill is unique because it’s practically an undeveloped city. It’s not easy to find this in Florida.
She recalled a Indian River Lagoon that was covered in seagrass and where manatees would gather to docks.
But things have changed. The river, while still beautiful, has suffered so much.
Lori Richards stated that she has lived in Florida all her life and has seen Florida’s waterways decline.
Daniel Richards said that we had basically lost all the grass. It has become a desert here.
Lori Richards is a naturalist who has always been concerned about the environment. However, as she saw the river’s water quality decline and the proposed developments threaten her quality-of-life, she decided to do something.
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She said that she used to drive through the neighborhood and get upset at the trash on the side roads. Instead of being upset, I decided that I would do something about the problem. I got on my golf cart with my grabbers, a bucket, and some other things.
Richards also said that she can be found riding her yellow trike for adults on three wheels. Richards began to talk to her neighbors, and she learned that many of them didn’t keep up with the events outside their small neighborhood.
Daniel Richards said, “I get it,” Many people don’t have the time, either their families or work.
I care. Lori Richards stated that it bothered her how everyone felt. They didn’t feel they were in control of the situation and they were angry about it. I want to get the people talking.
So she decided to do something again. Richards created a Save Oak Hill group on social media to keep her neighbors updated.
Save Oak Hill was founded after I attended a meeting in the city about the changes that were taking place in the area. I noticed that many of the residents were very upset. They felt that they were not being informed about what was happening.
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Tony Prater lives nearby. He said that Lori makes a great contribution to the local community. She puts a lot into this.
Prater nominated Lori Richards as a nominee for the News 6 Getting Results Award. He said, “She’s definitely getting results.”
Prater shared with us that he moved up north to appreciate the wildlife in the region. He worries that dense development might threaten the wildlife he’s grown to love.
Prater stated that I am not against development. Prater said that they shouldn’t destroy the environment for development.
The Richards are in agreement. They agree with the Richards.
Lori Richards, a community activist, has attended planning meetings and meetings at the city and county level, as well environmental workshops and online seminars since becoming involved.
The couple wants LID (low-impact development) techniques that save old-growth trees, protect wetlands, and take watershed into account.
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Daniel Richards said that if we grow at an inexorable pace it will destroy a lot of what we love here.
Lori Richards stated that we must take care of Oak Hill, and build a better future. We can all make a difference together.
Richards has changed Richards’ Facebook group name since the publication of this report. Oak Hill Community Concerns.
She claimed that Oak Hill could not be saved by herself because of the name. She said that it will require a community so she renamed her group.
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