By Lawrence Hollyfield
People come to Florida because of its nature. The beaches and parks combine with the climate to draw visitors year-round. And if you’re looking to see Florida “the natural way” on your next vacation, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area offers one great choice after another.

If you’re looking to mix education and nature, Brooker Creek Preserve, Weedon Island Preserve, Sawgrass Lake Park and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve make that connection. To combine history with nature visit Fort De Soto Park or Philippe Park, which contains centuries-old evidence of the Indians who lived there. Create mystique and captivating stories to share back home by visiting places - Caladesi Island, Egmont Key, Anclote Key and Shell Key Preserve - accessible only by boat.

Egmont Key

The ferry from Fort De Soto Park that takes you a short distance into the mouth of Tampa Bay to reach Egmont Key State Park doubles as a time machine that takes you a century into the past.

As the United States braced for the Spanish-American War in the late 1890s, it established a military presence on Egmont Key, building Fort Dade, weapons batteries and other buildings to support troops. The buildings were abandoned or destroyed decades ago but much of the island still captivates curious souls. Climb atop Fort Dade for panoramic views, then linger to appreciate them and the peace of nature as young minds roam inside the fort, using imagination to bring the past to a fun new life.

Most of the ferry crowd makes the fort its first stop, but you can find as much privacy as you desire. The old walkways, mostly brick but some cement, make it easy to explore the 1.6-mile long island. Uncover adventure as you turn corners and find new paths to travel.

Look for shells in the sand or tortoises in the brush, then wade or swim in enchanting water, as clean and picturesque as you’ll find anywhere. The 1858 lighthouse helps ships and island visitors stay oriented.

Waves lap on the shore and sea breezes stir palm trees and beach grasses at this national historic site. The half-hour trips over and back from Fort De Soto are an ooh-and-ahh treasure hunt: Keep your eyes open for dolphins, cormorants and pelicans.

Weedon Island Preserve

Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg is a half-hour’s drive northeast of Fort De Soto and it is, like Egmont Key, an explorer’s paradise. The park is built in a mangrove swamp, so it’s a transitional area: Water and land meet to create a bustling natural environment. Look up and see hawks gliding on thermals and pelicans in formation. Look down and steal glances of great egrets wading around tree stumps in search of their next fishy meal.

There are nearly 5 miles of trails, with 2 miles manicured. More than half a mile of the trail is elevated boardwalk, letting you explore the area while staying above the fray. Perhaps the best 45 feet of the park are vertical: An observation tower gives views that improve after each flight of stairs. At the top, see downtown St. Petersburg to the southwest and downtown Tampa to the northeast. You’ll feel like a king in a castle, surveying miles of mangroves and waterways while basking in the sun. Watch for birds plummeting into the waters to grab lunch – a fish that lingered too long near the surface.

If seeing it from the air inspires you to see it at sea level, rent a canoe or kayak and paddle away. If you want to feed your mind instead of work your muscles, visit the architecturally captivating Cultural and Natural History Center to discover presentations about the environment and other educational programs.

Philippe Park
The Tocobago Indians were here centuries ago and in their time built a celebration mound that is recognized as a national historic landmark. The walk up the mound, short and not too steep, gives the rich rewards of beautiful and peaceful scenery to all who make it up. Safety Harbor’s Philippe Park is a great place to picnic and relax, throw a football or Frisbee or just cavort.

The many faces of Pinellas County parks are seen clearly at Philippe Park. Not far from the national historic site is a softball field. Welcoming sunshine delivers clear views across the north end of Tampa Bay and its shelters offer cooling shade and places to sit. Palm trees, the calling card of the coast, share space with mossy oaks, typically associated more often with inland and northern parts of Florida. A sea wall provides a great place to stroll.

For information, visit or call: Egmont Key, 893-2627; Weedon Island Preserve, 453-6515; or Philippe Park, 669-1947.