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Area's playground is big; enjoy it

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2009

Tampa Bay area residents looking for new areas to explore outside our beautiful beaches and exciting amusement parks have tens of thousands of acres of land within easy reach.

In fact, you're part-owners of most of it. So get off the computer, put down the iPod and take advantage of unspoiled nature.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District and various partners own and manage more than 436,000 acres of conservation and preservation lands in the district's 16 counties - from Levy and Marion to the north, to Charlotte to the south, with a plethora of treasurers in between.

More than 340,000 acres - in excess of 50 properties - are open to the public. The majority of the tracts have free parking, and there is no admission fee.

And you don't have to take a long hike just to get there, either. At least one tract is located in 14 of the district's counties.

These lands not only help protect drinking water resources, but also provide numerous recreational opportunities that offer a refreshing respite from life's daily challenges - especially if you live in cities or are stuck in traffic going to work every day.

For birds lovers, there is Brooker Creek Preserve (north Pinellas) and the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve, among other havens.

For cyclists, Cypress Creek Preserve (Pasco) has miles of trails, to name just one tract.
Horse lovers can saddle up at Deep Creek Preserve (southwestern DeSoto) or at the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve's Oak Ridge Equestrian Area (Thonotosassa), as well as other areas.

More than 130,000 acres are available for hunting.

And anglers, canoeists and hikers have numerous areas in which to play.

These lands are full of remarkable sights and sounds. They should be shared with friends and loved ones, especially the young, who may not know what old Florida is like, or the way it used to be up and down the peninsula before so much of the state was developed.

Visiting these tracts clearly shows the value of allocating tax dollars to preserve environmentally sensitive areas and wilderness. Costly urban sprawl is curbed, and natural resources are protected.

Unfortunately, protecting these resources has fallen out of favor among many in the state Legislature. For the first time since the state's land preservation program was established 20 years ago, state lawmakers this year failed to allocate any new funding.

Naysayers should visit these lands. They will learn they shouldn't make the same mistake twice.

Many of the tracts are underused by the public, and the district wants to change that. Water managers are putting a welcome spotlight on these immensely valuable areas with their "Get Outside!" campaign. (Special events are scheduled at Pasco's Serenova on Nov. 7; in Polk on Feb. 27; and in DeSoto on April 10.)

But the public also should respect nature and not sully the land and waterways with trash. Treat it as responsible homeowners would their own properties.

If you haven't already, you will discover there is an unspoiled Florida out there that many have seen only in magazines or on television.

And best of all, it's in your backyard. Enjoy it. It's fun, and it's healthy.

To get a free, colorful guide of district lands - which contains a handy chart showing which activities are allowed and what amenities are available - check out WaterMatters.org/recreation on the Internet.

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