Hardwood boardwalks, new windows and even a peaceful waterfall complement the exotic ambiance of Homosassa Springs.
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
Published March 21, 2004
HOMOSASSA SPRINGS - Like two huge, tawny house cats, the cougars lazed in opposite ends of their lush enclosure.
One dozed, blinking into the sunbeam on her face. The other seemed to be about to catnap, too, except for her the twitching at the end of her tail.
Between them on a long log, a gray squirrel sat upright, contemplating breakfast. Seems the cat in the back was thinking about breakfast, too, as she stalked purposefully to the log. The squirrel darted away.
Officials and volunteers at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park collectively held their breath for a moment on Friday, worried that their official media tour of the new park facilities might include a stark moment of nature that might be less than flattering.
But in this case they were fortunate, even though Maygar the cougar wasn't.
As the officials noted, the episode demonstrated that one can never predict what might happen in a nature park. And especially in this one, which for several years has gone through a series of transformations. The latest upgrades could disorient even visitors quite familiar with the facilities.
Last week's press tour was designed to introduce the public to the second phase of a project known as Wildlife Walk. With a grand opening and dedication set for Saturday, park officials anxiously showed off the new boardwalks, bridges and wildlife enclosures made possible by a partnership between the state and local grass roots fundraising.
For Art Yerian, who supervises wildlife care for the park, the official opening came last weekend, when the park's 2-year-old black bears were released into their new enclosure. The bears have been park residents since they were abandoned by their mother.
The new enclosure, a grassy area that features a low-branching tree salvaged from the Homosassa Fire Department and a new waterfall, is six times larger than the space they used to occupy.
As if to demonstrate her thoughts on the new home, the female entered the enclosure and somersaulted down the grassy side of the pen. Her brother, meanwhile, crawled into the new waterfall and lounged, feet skyward, for some time, park workers reported.
"We feel like they enjoy it," said Tom Linley, park manager.
The second phase of the Wildlife Walk was funded with $192,167 from the state Partnership in Parks program, another $138,500 from other state park funding and $290,000 raised by the Friends of the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park partnership. The Wildlife Walk is the largest partnership project in the state to be completed by park staff and volunteers rather than a general contractor. The state partnership program requires 60 percent of the project cost to be raised locally before 40 percent is added by the state.
Much of the work surrounds an area which used to be the Bird Park. A dead end by the bears now continues past new restroom facilities, the new 1,700-square-foot Wildlife Encounters Building, the cougars and a bobcat. Gone are the stark cages where the cougars have paced for years. Now visitors can see the animals through a glass window, which allows a clear view of the big cats.
Bobcat Robert was also thrilled with his new digs, according to Eileen Schultz, a member of the Friends board. "You should have seen him rolling and rolling," she said. Robert had never had grass under his feet before.
"It was interesting when the cougar and the bobcat first saw each other," said Jim Mitcheson, maintenance supervisor. The animals had been so far apart in their old enclosures that they had never seen each other before. The first time, they just ran along the fence, glaring at one another.
The new reptile exhibits, which opened last year, were also part of the current phase of improvements. Nearby, an area that used to be a rain shelter now houses a gopher tortoise exhibit, which even allows the protected animals to burrow down a little into the soil.
All around the area, the birds, both wild and captive, continue to mingle along the pathway. Sandhill cranes, pelicans, flamingos and herons are constantly moving around the area. While wild birds fly low overhead tending to nests, on the ground cranes noisily call to one another.
The first phase of the Wildlife Walk was completed in 1998. It cost nearly $135,000 and included the first stretch of boardwalk, rain shelters and new exhibits for birds of prey, shorebirds and the fox. Also in that area is the park's one rare whooping crane.
The park has a permit to add a second crane with some minor adjustments to the habitat, Yerian said. Homosassa is one of five parks with a permit to keep the endangered animals.
When enough money is raised - park officials aren't yet certain how much is needed - the third phase of the Wildlife Walk will be constructed. Another animal even rarer to public parks than the whooping crane will be a featured attraction.
The park's 10 Key deer will be housed along that boardwalk. Homosassa is the only place outside the Florida Keys where the tiny deer can be seen.
That next phase of pathway will wind around to the area where workers are currently constructing the new manatee pool. Other manatee-related improvements will also be a part of the project, including a 2,400-square-foot manatee program pavilion and a manatee operations building.
"The Wildlife Walk is on ongoing project here," Linley said. "Phase three is yet to come, but when we get that done, we'll have completed 10 years worth of improvement projects."
Linley said that without a "sugar daddy" to fund the projects, the park's support organization has stepped forward and mounted numerous fundraising projects to help pay for the improvements.
From selling popcorn to making manatee pins, from sponsoring balls to organizing early morning park tours, the Friends have spent years gathering every dollar possible to keep the park moving forward, Linley said.
"It really has been a phenomenal effort," he said. "We are just very, very grateful for the Friends for making projects like this possible."
Park records show an increase in visitor numbers and, if the current trend holds, the park could play host to 295,000 people this year, a new record, Linley said. With visitors last year from all 50 states and 57 countries, plenty of people have been able to learn about Florida's wildlife through the park, touted Larry Shearin, past president of the Friends.
Linley said the improvements have been met warmly by visitors.
"It's a great experience," he said. "We want people to remember it."
