New Parks before the Paint Dries WWFF-11

New Parks can be a challenge. Parking may be unimproved, restrooms may be "composting", and finding them in the first place can be a challenge. There were hardly a soul in either park. Salt Springs was fee-free, Colt Creek was $4 and an hour drive from Tampa.

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park  (Florida) is a new park that has a temporary entrance that is two miles from the named feature-salt springs. The real entrance will be located much closer to the springs when they build it. For now, there is a gravel lot, an outhouse, and a mile loop trail through the woods. The temporary entrance is off of Cinema Drive in new Port Richey. 

The trail was wet, but it was Tropical Storm Debby.

This park protects four miles of pristine coastline along the Gulf of Mexico in western Pasco County. The salt spring looks small, but it is an amazing 320 feet deep. Gray fox, gopher tortoises, alligators, and West Indian manatees call this park and its waters home. Birdwatchers can enjoy sighting raptors, wading birds, shore birds, and migratory songbirds. A recent addition to the state park system, Werner-Boyce now has a picnic pavilion, tables, informational kiosk, and a short hiking trail. Plans for the future include providing more access and recreational opportunities for visitors. Park entrance is located at the end of Cinema Drive along Scenic Drive. Turn west off US 19 onto Cinema Drive, park entrance is approx 2/10ths of a mile.

 Screened pavilion at Colt Creek also has flush toilets and a paved parking lot and entry drive. 

Colt Creek State Park in Polk County is also new, but is better developed. It has new paved roads, a youth camp, a spiffy enclosed pavilion, a lake with canoe vendor, and a hammock trail.  There are hundreds and hundreds of newly planted trees in some of the old pasture.  This 5,067 acre park nestled within the Green Swamp Wilderness Area and named after one of the tributaries that flows through the property was opened to the public on January 20, 2007. 

 Newly planted trees (100's) for the future- pasture into forest!

For over 60 years this property was managed as a cattle ranch by the Overstreets. Past activities on the land included beef cattle production, lime rock mining, timber harvesting and turpentining. Comprised mainly of pine flatwoods, cypress domes and open pasture land, this piece of natural Florida wilderness is home to many animal species including the American bald eagle, sherman's fox squirrel, gopher tortoise, white-tailed deer, wild turkey and bobcat. 

The park offers numerous recreational opportunities including hiking, horseback riding (with your own horse), biking, picnicking and nature study. Two picnic areas with a total of four pavilions, two restrooms and a fishing/observation dock are available. 

It will be interesting to watch these parks grow.