Opened in 2001 Boca Ciega Millennium Park is one of the newer parks in the Pinellas County Florida park system. It is also one of the most unusual in that the 185 acre park is designed to recycle rain water run off through five ponds and includes an underground water system to feed the parks’ wetlands. The park features pine flat woods, coastal oak hammock, salt marsh and a mangrove swamp along with extensive use of native plants.
Located on the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) a thirty five foot tower gives the viewer a panoramic view of the shallows near spoil islands and Redington Shores across the ICW. The main attraction of the park is the extensive boardwalk leading from the tower along the ICW. While most of the boardwalk is in full sun, part of the trail leads into a salt water swamp under a cooling tree canopy providing relief from the sun.
There are sculptures in the forest along the boardwalk sponsored by Pinellas County Cultural Affairs Council. The locations of the pieces are not marked. However an observant visitor to the boardwalk will be able to find them. Just look in unusual places with an open mind.
Launch a Canoe or Kayak
A canoe/kayak launch located near the beginning of the boardwalk is small and narrow. Launching or returning at low tide could be a problem. The canoe trail leads along a narrow water way that snakes around the mangroves before emerging in a protected shallow area adjacent to the ICW. A large spoil island a short distance from shore has a picnic beach. Be sure to bring along sun screen, more water to drink than necessary, and wear a floppy hat.
A walking/biking trail begins at the park entrance and parallels the main drive into the park passing by a small lake and flat lands forest. The trail is in full sun the entire distance. The Nature Trail leaving from picnic shelter #5 suffers the same fate. These trails are best enjoyed in the winter and spring, or perhaps an early summer morning.
The Dog Park
The park has a one and a half acre dog park featuring pet cooling stations and watering facilities near shelter six. The single playground in the park is located near the dog park. All of the equipment is well maintained and addresses various childrens' age groups. The largest area is protected from the sun by an overhead awning. The surface under the play area is cushioned rubber.
In 2007 a high school student on a nature photographic expedition discovered the largest cache of mammoth and other fossils found in Florida in the last fifty years. Thousands of fossils were found providing insight into animal life in the Pleistocene era. The site of the discovery has been fully excavated and is not open to the public.
Best Features
Perhaps the best feature of Boca Ciega Millennium Park is the tower and boardwalk. Spend some time watching from atop the tower, then walk along the boardwalk above the mangroves, then through a salt water swamp observing the art hidden within and appreciate the natural diversity of this special park. Don’t forget to bring a picnic basket.
The park is open 7:00 a.m. to sunset all year. The park at this writing is free to the public. Due to recent budget cuts the restrooms are closed Monday through Friday and open weekends and holidays.
Matt Maloy - Matt Maloy, writer, artist and photographer has been sailing small boats for nearly thirty years. Based in Largo Florida, he chronicles ...
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