Address:
1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, FL 33702Phone:
727-453-6500Amenities:
Fishing pier, observation tower, boardwalks with three observation platforms, paddling trails and launch, hiking trails, small picnic areas and videos and exhibits about the early peoples of Weedon Island.Nature, History Share the Spotlight at Weedon Island Preserve:
The rich estuaries and coastal resources in the vicinity of what is now known as Weedon Island Preserve attracted nomadic archaic populations at least 5,000 years ago. The area has a fascinating history, from its contributions to the Manasota culture and the evolution of the Weeden Island culture, to its role in the 1920s and ’30s, when it became home to speakeasies, a Hollywood-style movie studio and an airport.
Weedon Island’s history can be explored in the Cultural and Natural History Center. For nature enthusiasts, the 3,164-acre preserve features aquatic habitats with mangrove swamps, shoreline and seagrass beds as well as upland communities of pine flatwoods, scrub and hammocks.
Preserve Activities:
Weedon Island Preserve offers plenty of outdoor activities, from bird and wildlife viewing to hiking trails and canoe trails.
- Canoe Trails
The preserve boasts two canoe trails. The southern trail is a four-mile loop which twists and turns through a dense mangrove forest, over seagrass flats and in between small islets along the edge of Tampa Bay. Egrets, spoonbills and white ibis are often found, and it isn’t unusual for an attentive visitor to spot a manatee, sharks and schools of mullet.
The northern trail is a one-way trail meanders through mangrove habitat and Snug Harbor on its way to the stretch of beach along nearby Gandy Boulevard.
The preserve schedules guided canoe trips each month. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 727-453-6506.
- Hiking Trails & Boardwalks
Hikers can enjoy more than four miles of nature trails and boardwalks that provide a glimpse at the various natural habitats found in the preserve. Almost two miles of these trails are handicap accessible. Boardwalks pass through tidal flats and deliver visitors to saltwater ponds where mullet and wading birds may be viewed. Unimproved trails extend through pine flatwoods and scrub. An observation tower found along the trail offers hikers a view of the preserve, Tampa Bay and the cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa.
The preserve schedules guided hikes each month. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 727-453-6506.
- Fishing
Be sure to bring a rod and reel: redfish, snook and spotted sea trout are common at the preserve. For those who don’t have a boat, the preserve offers a fishing pier with restroom facilities at the southern end of the main road.
The Cultural and Natural History Center
Opened in 2002, Weedon Island Preserve’s Cultural and Natural History Center helps visitors interpret the natural, cultural and archeological history of the preserve through educational programs, presentations, interactive activities and exhibits. In designing the center, the Pinellas County Environmental Lands Division collaborated with Native Americans, archaeologists, marine scientists, ecologists and museum specialists to create a facility which complements the natural setting while incorporating significant cultural aesthetics.
Center programs include special presentations such as Creating Family-Friendly Wildlife Nesting Resources; recurring events such as the Great Weedon Bird Quest and Wee Time at Weedon, a program designed to introduce pre-school children to the wonders of the natural world; and artist exhibits and photography hikes led by center staff.
