North Peninsula State Park
About North Peninsula State Park
A NOTE FROM THE MANAGER
Barbara Roberts
Spring time is officially here and it feels like it!! Cool mornings offer a perfect time for a walk on the beach to catch a sunrise. Surf fishing is turning up some good catches too. This time of year is also pleasant for a picnic at our Smith Creek area; then take a walk on the Coastal Strand nature trail.
As part of the Great Florida Birding Trail this park offers lots of opportunities to see shore birds, wading birds and song birds. We've got a population of Florida scrub-jays, easily spotted along the sidewalk on A1A just north and south of High Bridge Road. So bring your camera and your binoculars!! The marsh restoration area overlook along John Anderson Drive provides a nice view of the intercoastal waterway where you might see an Osprey, or some roseatte spoonbills feeding.
The southern section of our ongoing saltmarsh restoration project along John Anderson is completed as are our first two stages of the project (north of the powerline cut on A1A, north of High Bridge Road). Our next step is to install viewing platforms and educational kiosks.
The spoil areas that are being restored in the park were built up on historical saltmarsh as a result of dredge activities during construction of the Intracoastal Waterway which took place after the turn of the 20th century. The goal of the project is to create a healthy, productive saltmarsh habitat which will be connected to open water, benefiting an extremely wide range of plants and animals.
During the project, heavy equipment is used to clear existing vegetation and assist in the removal of spoil material. We hope that you will share in our excitement as we continue to restore the natural communities of North Peninsula State Park. If you have any questions about the project, feel free to give me a call.
This park is only a few miles south of Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area where our ranger station is located. Take a look at that site to see some of the exciting programs we've got planned.
DESIGNATIONS
GETTING HERE
Coming from the north, I-95 exit #284, turn left off exit and proceed east 3 miles to A1A, turn right and proceed 5 1/2 miles to Highbridge Road and turn right. Smith Creek Landing's entrance is about 500 yards west on Highbridge.
Coming from the south, I-95 exit #268, turn right off exit and proceed east 5 miles to A1A, turn left and go 8 1/2 miles to Highbridge Road and turn left and proceed about 500 yards to entrance.
GET INVOLVED
- For forms, information and benefits of volunteering visit Get Involved.
