With the arrival of the Labor Day weekend, cooler weather, we hope, is on the way. If that break comes, here are 12 refreshing hikes around mid and north Pinellas.
By Times Staff Writer
Published September 4, 2005
1. FLORIDA BOTANICAL GARDENS AT PINEWOOD CULTURAL PARK, 12175 125TH ST. N, LARGO: Flower-lined walkways meander among both formal and natural gardens. Native plants and tropical exotics create a restful, beautiful setting on 182 acres. A showpiece of what master gardeners can do.
2. HERITAGE VILLAGE, 11909 125TH ST. N, LARGO: A tiny log cabin and a gabled Victorian home, a dry good store and a blacksmith shop, a school, a church. This recreated community lets you see what life here was like before air conditioning.
3. CLEARWATER'S EAST-WEST TRAIL: This interesting walk proves there is beauty even near U.S. 19. Starting at the Long Center on N Belcher Road and heading east, the trail winds 4.4 miles through woods along lakes, parks and picnic areas.
4. THE NEW MEMORIAL CAUSEWAY BRIDGE: Our shortest jaunt, but a stirring view. You get a bracing, 360-degree panoramic view of Clearwater Harbor, the beach and downtown - all from more than 70 feet above the waterline. The up ramps are a bit steep, but it's worth it, day or night.
5. PHILIPPE PARK, 2525 PHILIPPE PARKWAY, SAFETY HARBOR: An American Indian mound overlooks the flats of upper Tampa Bay. The park's namesake, Count Odett Philippe, credited with bringing citrus to the area, is buried by the road. An oak canopy gracefully covers the park's paths.
6. HAMMOCK PARK, 1900 SAN MATEO DRIVE, DUNEDIN: Another well-kept secret, this is 75 acres of Florida hammock, untouched by man. Hickory and oak soar above as you walk the miles of dirt trails. The forest is so dense it's impossible to see traces of civilization. Gopher tortoises reign on the sand hills on the park's south side.
7. THE PINELLAS TRAIL: A must for a list like this. Many users have their favorite segments. We like the stretch through Crystal Beach, near the quaint post office.
8. OSPREY TRAIL AT HONEYMOON ISLAND STATE PARK, 1 CAUSEWAY BLVD., DUNEDIN: You walk among the scrub and pines nearly 2 miles to a small beach at water's edge. Ospreys carry fish to large nests built in dozens of dead pines. 9. PEGGY PARK TRAIL IN JOHN CHESNUT SR. PARK, 2200 EAST LAKE ROAD, EAST LAKE: Be sure to take one of the free leaflets in the box at the trailhead. They explain the flora and fauna visible from the boardwalks. Great views of Lake Tarpon, Brooker Creek and a large swamp teeming with wildlife.
10. WALL SPRINGS PARK, 3725 DE SOTO BLVD., PALM HARBOR: Pinellas County's most recent round of improvements brought a network of boardwalks to the park. From one, a wide sidewalk loop goes to Picnic Island, where there are picnic shelters, restrooms, fishing piers and a 35-foot observation tower overlooking St. Joseph Sound.
11. BROOKER CREEK PRESERVE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER, 3940 KEYSTONE ROAD, EAST LAKE: Four loops of hiking trails opened recently, allowing you to conquer parts of this 8,500-acre preserve. Getting to the trails means wading through the creek now, but bridges are planned soon. Deer, bobcats and gators make this rugged landscape the essence of natural, inland Florida. Trails are open until 30 minutes before the education center closes. The center is open Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on holidays.
12. SPRING BAYOU IN TARPON SPRINGS: When they built these waterfront houses generations ago, they did it right, creating a beautiful city park with shade trees and benches. Why aren't there more oases like this in our urban sprawl?
