5/5 Sonia N. 2 months ago on Google • 58 reviews New
A
beautiful
nature
preserve
in
the
middle
of
a
residential
area.
A
few
walking
trails
and
Bike
paths
leading
towards
a
swampy
area
and
lakes
completely
surrounded
by
a
mangrove
preserve.
These
lakes
are
mostly
of
brackish
water
which
provisions
nutrients
necessary
to
sustain
the
mangroves
and
aquatic
life
found
here.
Series
of
short
canals
connecting
to
the
waterway
supply
water
to
these
lakes
thus
helping
sustain
this
complex
ecosystem.
You
can
walk
on
the
trails
and
path;
or
explore
the
canals
in
a
kayak
or
paddle
board,
ride
around
these
canals
that
meet
at
a
lake.
Stop
and
make
sure
to
observe
the
mangrove
forest
it
can
be
seen
all
around
.
I
like
to
explore
and
observe
animal
interactions;
fascinating
to
see
a
King
Fisher
patiently
waiting
for
a
fish
or
in
search
of
worms
in
the
swampy
areas.
Florida
native
species
can
be
seen
from
a
three-story
High
observation
tower,
you
can
use
the
elevator
if
you
don’t
want
to
climb;
once
up
there
look
for
Osprey
flying
in
search
of
dinner.
The
Herons,
Egrets
and
Ibis
prefer
to
be
on
the
marsh
searching
for
food.
With
binoculars
and
lots
of
patience
you
could
spot
a
mangrove
Cuckoo
or
a
red
tailed
Hawks,
those
are
rarely
seen,
but
gray
Cormorants,
Owls,
Pelicans,
Ducks
are
around,
they
reside
and
nest
in
the
Forrest.
Mangroves
roots
are
habitat
and
nursery
grounds
for
several
fish
like
Snappers,Tarpon,
Grunts,
Bass,
Jacks
but
I’m
not
sure
if
fishing
is
allowed
without
a
license
.
Late
in
the
afternoon
you’ll
see
the
critters
of
the
swamp,
Raccoons
,Opossums,
some
people
gas
seen
Monkeys
and
Rats.
I
have
spotted
a
few
Turtles,
also
green
Lizards
or
Anoles,
not
sure
which.
Few
amphibians
survive
in
this
waters
but
I’ve
seen
Tree
Frogs,
ugly
Toads,
some
rat
Snakes
like
everywhere
else.
Populations
of
Crabs,
Snails,
Mollusk
,
Oysters,
Shrimp,
Crayfish
live
in
the
marsh,
they
help
sustain
the
ecosystem
of
the
park.
Beautiful
Butterflies
specially
Monarch,
and
Zebras
(
black
with
yellow
lines),
unfortunately,
loads
of
mosquitoes
and
no-seems
specially
late
afternoon,
those
will
drive
you
crazy;
they
seem
to
love
me
a
lot…
Don’t
forget
to
bring
a
camera,
water,
a
repellent
and
sunblock,
surely
you
will
be
using
2
of
them;
Lol
😁