|
The south Venice Lemon Bay Preserve comprise 222 acres of protected land along
Lemon Bay. This land has been acquired incrementally since
1999 through both the county’s one percent sales tax for
infrastructure and the Environmentally Sensitive Lands
Protection Program. Florida Communities Trust, a state program,
awarded 40 percent of the acquisition costs of a 20-acre tract within
the Protection Priority site.
The preserve is nestled in the densely packed suburb of
south
Venice, offering residents and other visitors a respite from
claustrophobia as well as being a refuge for several protected
animals and plants. This preserve contains a variety of coastal
habitats including tidal swamp, tidal marsh, coastal hammock and
upland communities such as mesic and scrubby flatwoods. The
preserve supports a variety of species such as gopher tortoises,
Florida scrub-jays, bald eagles, river otters and an assortment
of snakes, including the eastern coachwhip. A variety of plants
are also represented, specifically, visitors may see various
mangroves, cord grasses, oak species, lupine, palafox, coontie
and Curtis’s milkweed. Boardwalks afford visitors access across
the recreated and restored wetland slough.
The preserve has nearly eight miles of hiking trails, including
the 1.6 mile long scenic marked trail. The hiking trails are
unpaved but accessible for most visitors and include two
boardwalks. Be prepared for Florida’s often extreme outdoor
conditions by bringing water, sun block, a rain jacket,
appropriate clothing, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. Some
trails may flood after heavy rainfall.
- The preserve has limited
parking along road shoulders and is accessible via walk-thru
gates near three intersections (Ocelot and Phorus roads,
Macon and Osprey roads, and Kenisco and Euclid roads).
Preserve hours are:
7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., April through October
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., November through March
For more information about the
South Venice Lemon Bay Preserve,
call 941-861-5000 and ask
for Natural Resources.
|
Natural Lands |
Parking |
ADA Accessibility |
Nature Trails |
Benches and Tables |
Restroom |
Equestrian Use |
Leashed Pets |
Canoes and Kayaks |
Kiosks |
Bicycles |
Fishing |
|
Marked |
Unmarked |
|
South Venice Lemon Bay
Preserve |
|
|
P |
|
P |
|
|
|
|
P |
|
P |
|
