Myakka River State Park

The Myakka River State Park is a State Park in Sarasota County in the U.S. state of Florida. The 147 km ² large park located 32 km southeast of Sarasota and 14 km east of Interstate 75 and is one of the largest and oldest state parks in Florida.

Geography

The park is located in the shallow west-central Florida. By western part of the park flows a 22 km section of the flat, winding Myakka River, which is available as a Florida Wild and Scenic River under protection. The river forms in the park area, two lakes, the Upper and Lower Myakka Lake. During the Upper Myakka Lake is developed for tourism, the Lower Myakka Lake is located south in a 3035 -acre Wilderness Preserve Florida State Road 72, which may be entered only with special permits. The State Road 72 crosses the park from east to west.

Flora and Fauna

The park contains various ecosystems:

• Along the Myakka Rivers, there are swamps and wetlands. The river is lined with Sabal palm trees and mossy live oaks. In the northern and eastern part of the park there are also higher-lying sandy ridges which is with scrubby trees and finally lined with a forest of live oaks, marsh and Elliot Pines.

• Thanks to intensive efforts vast areas have been maintained or restored with dry prairie in the park. Dry prairies are large grass and bush land on very flat terrain, interspersed with scattered cypress trees. The vegetation consists of numerous species of grasses, sawing and holly and isolated tree islands with cypress, swamp and Elliot Pines.

The plains and the river with its two lakes provide habitat for many animals such as alligators, bobcats, numerous turtle species and over 200 species of birds such as forest verschiedne storks, bald eagles or Roseate Spoonbill. In winter and spring, when the water levels of the Myakka River and the lakes are at their lowest, come flocks of ducks, forest singers and wading birds to forage.

History

At the beginning of the 20th century, the park area was part of a set up by Bertha Honoré Palmer cattle ranch. My brother left a part of the land to the state. The Civilian Conservation Corps built from 1934 today's Ranger Station, wooden cabins for overnight stays and paths. As one of the first state parks in Florida, the park was established in 1942.

Activities

At the western entrance to the park are the ranger station and visitor center. The visitor center offers video tutorials and exhibitions on wildlife and their habitats. Not far from here begins the Boylston Nature Trail, a half-hour trail that leads to the Myakka 's Canopy Walkway, a 30 m long wooden bridge. The bridge was built in 2000 and allowed from 7 m height, the observation of life in the treetops. It ends on a 21 m high observation tower from which offers a panoramic view over the park.

In addition to the State Road 72 leads an 11-km paved road along the shore of Upper Myakka Lake. 30 km unpaved roads and 62 km of hiking trails lead through the interior of the park.

In the park there are two campgrounds. The larger campground in the park is the Big Flats Campground on Upper Myakka Lake with 52 parking spaces, further, there is the Old Prairie Campground near the visitor center, where there are also four historic, built of palm wood cabins for overnight stays, as well as six basic campsites with no additional equipment, and numerous picnic areas and four originated in the 1930s picnic pavilions.

At the Upper Myakka Lake is the Bird Walk, a 300 -meter boardwalk for birdwatching. From November to April explain here volunteers visitors the different species of birds. Also on the Upper Myakka Lake associate the two global largest swamp boats, the Myakka Maiden and the Gator Gal. Into the interior of the park is a tram pulled by pickups followers Safari is offered.

Located on the Upper Myakka Lake privately operated Myakka Outpost offers a souvenir shop and camping also boat and bicycle rentals.

The Upper Myakka Lake and the river can be navigated by canoe or kayak, a boat ramp is on a lake. Because of the numerous species of fish are river and lake great fishing areas.