The Brooker Creek Preserve isn't just for school field trips. The slice of nature is perfect for anyone looking to get away from the daily hustle and bustle.
By PAMELA GRINER LEAVY
Published October 1, 2004
TARPON SPRINGS - Despite being close to pricey housing developments and congested roads, the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center provides a peaceful respite from hectic urban life.
Public tax dollars, including Penny for Pinellas sales tax, underwrite the 8,000-acre Brooker Creek Preserve, named after the only stream that feeds Lake Tarpon.
A "no horses allowed" sign at the environmental education center entrance reminds visitors that horse and cattle ranches still co-exist with development in the northern reaches of Pinellas County.
But traffic noise from nearby Keystone Road can barely be heard as visitors cross shady walkway overpasses into another world, one of wetlands, pungent salt marsh estuaries, and cypress swamps, inhabited by such urban rarities as gopher tortoises, indigo snakes, green herons, white-tailed deer, bobcats and the threatened Florida mouse.
"Our Wildest Place" is what Pinellas County government officials call the preserve, a public acknowledgement of the challenge to balance development and nature in Pinellas, home to more than 923,000 residents and Florida's most densely populated county.
Some of the information visitors glean at the education center is that the Brooker Creek Preserve exists on the frost line between temperate and subtropical climates, that north of Brooker Creek it typically freezes every year and it seldom freezes to the preserve's south.
A "Bats of the World" show, presented by the Florida Bat Center, highlighted a recent Saturday at the education center, a 25,000-square-foot, three-building complex designed in natural wood old Florida pioneer-style architecture.
Open since June, the environmental education center features a hands-on "experience, discover, connect" multimedia exhibit center that offers 22 Florida and local natural history experiences.
Michael Tuohy, 11, and his brother Matthew, 10, attended the bat show and visited the exhibits on a recent weekend. The Tarpon Springs residents tried out the hands-on saltwater/freshwater balance station, designed to show the negative effects of saltwater intrusion on Florida's freshwater supply.
Michael Tuohy gave the Brooker Creek Preserve a thumbs-up. "It's not what you usually see," he said. "Usually I see buildings in the cities. Here it's just nature."
The exhibit center includes a Brooker Creek Barn, an object theater of historical artifacts that features a hologram-style three-dimensional history of the Brooker Creek Preserve property.
In a meeting room, Florida history paintings by local artist Christopher Still hang on display. In one oil painting called Patriot and Warrior, the Seminole warrior Osceola gazes at visitors.
Weather permitting, guided trail walks take place on a self-interpretative 1.75-mile nature trail, left as much as possible in its natural state with no restrooms or public areas. More hiking trails are expected to open in early 2005.
Restrooms and picnic areas are located in other environmental education center areas, as well as a gift shop operated by Nature's Focus. There's plenty of parking for cars and buses. Nearby off Old Keystone Road, the preserve offers 10 miles of horse trails.
Karl Nichter of Gulf Harbor has volunteered at the environmental education center since July and testifies to the environmental education center's attraction.
"There's something about when you first come through the visitor's entrance and come through the cypress swamp on the boardwalk that's so relaxing to walk through after you've been out on U.S. 19 and all that," Nichter said.
Almost 5,000 adults and children from Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties have visited the center since it officially opened in June. Jim McGinity serves as the center's manager and hopes to welcome more.
"The best part of my job is being able to work in a beautiful nature area and share it with the public," McGinity said. "We refer to this as Pinellas' wildest place. Many people aren't aware that the Brooker Creek Preserve is here."
If you go
WHAT: Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center
WHERE: 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs
FOR MORE INFO: Call 453-6800 or visit www.pinellascounty.org/environment WHEN: Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
COST: There is no fee, although donations are accepted. Some special programs do require fees.
EVENTS: "Binocular Basics," 10 a.m., Saturday. Fledgling birders and seasoned naturalists are invited to discover how to get the best view. Registration is required. Call (727) 453-6800.
"Rain Barrel Workshop," 9 a.m., Oct. 16. Learn how to conserve landscapes by using rainwater harvested from roofs. Workshop is free but participants can arrange to receive a rain barrel and spigot for $20. Registration is required. Call Pinellas County Extension office at (727) 582-2673 for information and registration.
