Weedon Island Preserve

The Weedon Island Preserve is a 3,190-acre natural area situated along the western shore of Tampa Bay and located at 1800 Weedon Drive NE, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. It is predominately an estuarine preserve composed of upland and aquatic ecosystems such as mangrove forests, pine/scrubby flatwoods, and maritime hammocks, and is home to a variety of native wildlife. The preserve is also a designated archaeological area, with several shell mounds identified on the property that provide evidence of early peoples who inhabited the land for thousands of years.

"Weedon Island" redirects here. For the ghost town, see Weedon Island, Florida.
Weedon Island Preserve
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
View of the preserve from top of observation tower
Map showing the location of Weedon Island Preserve
Map showing the location of Weedon Island Preserve
Weedon Island Preserve
LocationPinellas County, Florida, USA
Nearest citySt. Petersburg, Florida
Coordinates27°50′42″N 82°36′07″W
EstablishedJune 13, 1972
Governing bodyPinellas County Park Department
Weedon Island Preserve
NRHP reference No.72000347[1]

On June 13, 1972, Weedon Island Preserve was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. In 1974, the state of Florida purchased Weedon Island and its surrounding islands, which were officially opened for public use in December 1980. In 1993, the state created a lease agreement with Pinellas County to manage and maintain the preserve. The county's Department of Parks and Conservation Resources presently manages the area.

Weedon Island Preserve's name is derived from Tampa doctor and amateur archaeologist Leslie Washington Weedon.[2]

Recreational activities

The preserve offers a total of 4.7 miles of nature trails for hiking, with 2 miles out of the total as boardwalks and paved trails that are ADA accessible and the remaining 2.7 miles as natural trail loops. The 3,000-foot Tower Boardwalk trail leads visitors to a 45-foot-tall observation tower, the tallest of its kind in Pinellas County. With favorable weather conditions, one can see much of the preserve and Tampa Bay from this tower, as well as the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg. Three additional observation platforms along the trails offer opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing and are ideal for photography.

In addition to hiking, the preserve maintains a 4-mile, self-guided canoeing/kayaking loop called the South Paddling Trail. The path weaves through mangrove tunnels within the preserve and has access points to the bay. Visitors interested in exploring the paddling trail may bring their own vessels or take a tour through ECOmersion. ECOmersion is a kayak tour company located in the area whose purpose is to get people outside and connected with nature. ECOmersion's professional staff gives tours when the tide is high for a once-in-a lifetime experience on Weedon Island Preserve. The tour leads through the tunnels of the iconic Florida mangroves on the preserve.

Other activities available include fishing from the pier located at the end of Weedon Dr. NE and picnicking at any of the designated picnic tables provided.

Panorama of mostly scrubby swamp, with various buildings/structures visible on the horizon.
View from observation tower. Visible items on horizon, from left to right include: downtown St. Petersburg, Florida; WGES (AM) Antenna; Bartow Power Plant; downtown Tampa, Florida; MacDill Air Force Base; Big Bend Power Station.

Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center

The Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center opened in the fall of 2002 with the support of the Friends of Weedon Island and is run by Pinellas County. The Center focuses on the natural, cultural, and archaeological history of the preserve.[3] The Exhibit Hall features interactive displays on the unique wildlife and habitats found on Weedon Island and the ancient and present-day history of the preserve. Part of the collection of Native American artifacts from Weedon Island has been digitized and is available online as a virtual tour.

The most recent addition to the center is a 40 feet (12 m) dugout canoe that was found in the Weedon Island Preserve and is believed to be a Manasotan artifact. It is estimated to be 1,100 years old.[4]

Ecosystem

The Weedon Island Preserve ecosystems are majority wetlands, including mangrove swamps, with 1,100 acres (4.5 km2) of upland habitat.[5] Flatwoods are represented with pine and scrub, as are coastal hammocks,[6] coastal berms and anthropogenic shell mounds.[7]: 1–5 

Programs and events

Pinellas County staff and UF/IFAS Extension agents provide a wide variety of educational programs and events for the general public that are family-friendly and often free of charge. Monthly programs may include guided hikes, archaeology classes, speaker series, photography or birding meet-ups, and environmental sustainability workshops. Program registration and an updated list of current offerings are available through the preserve's Eventbrite page.

Hours of operations

The preserve is open seven days a week, from dawn to dusk. The Cultural and Natural History Center is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Aerial view of Venetian Isles, and Weedon Island Preserve (top)
    Aerial view of Venetian Isles, and Weedon Island Preserve (top)
  • Entrance to Weedon Island Culture Center
    Entrance to Weedon Island Culture Center
  • View of the boardwalk leading to the Preserve's observation tower
    View of the boardwalk leading to the Preserve's observation tower
  • Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center (Entrance)
    Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center (Entrance)
  • Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center
    Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center
  • Airport waiting room ruins
    Airport waiting room ruins
  • Airport waiting room ruins (from the trail)
    Airport waiting room ruins (from the trail)
  • View of the dedication of the Paul L. Getting Nature Trail dedication
    View of the dedication of the Paul L. Getting Nature Trail dedication
  • Elevated boardwalk
    Elevated boardwalk
  • View from the boardwalk
    View from the boardwalk
  • Observation tower
    Observation tower
  • Mangrove hammock
    Mangrove hammock
  • View of the boardwalk from the observation tower
    View of the boardwalk from the observation tower
  • Cabbage palms, complete with some information about cabbage palms
    Cabbage palms, complete with some information about cabbage palms
  • A view of pine flatwoods from the nature trail
    A view of pine flatwoods from the nature trail

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. The Weedon Island Story (PDF) (3rd ed.). 2005.
  3. http://www.weedonislandcenter.org/ Weedon Island Center, accessed January 21, 2008
  4. "1,100-Year-Old Prehistoric Canoe Found in Pinellas County, Florida" (PDF). Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  5. "Ecosystems". Discover Paradise in Pinellas County. Pinellas County. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  6. "Weedon Island Preserve Visitor Guide" (PDF). Pinellas County Government. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  7. "The Weedon Island Story" (PDF) (3rd ed.). Tarpon Springs, Florida: Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management, Environmental Lands Division. April 2005. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
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