“Get in Touch with Nature at a Local Park!”
Seeking a relaxing, shady, and safe walking trail, Pinellas County Florida offers residents and visitors 15 different parks. As each of us attempt to practice appropriate “Stay Home. Stay Safe” during these past several months of 2020, it is a perfect time to take advantage of our local parks. The Pinellas County Parks provide great walking trails, picnic areas, lake access, playgrounds and dog parks. Whether in North, South, East, or West Pinellas County there is a park close by.
WALKING IS A POSITIVE ACTIVITY
In these stressful times, it is important to find activities that are stress relievers. A walk in the park is healthy and therapeutic. There is a natural healing during a walk as walking creates the “Happy Hormones,” the healthy endorphins. Feeling the wind, sun, and temperature change outdoors establishes positive thoughts. It is proven that depression, stress and anxiety decline when walking. The heart rate increases, breathing is faster, and oxygen goes to the brain making thoughts clearer. When walking with another person communication actually improves. As seniors, we recall the famous incident where Reagan and Gorbachev solve several issues when they “Take a Private Walk by the Lake.” The act of just the two men walking totally change the dynamics and success of the meeting. Personally, Richard and I consistently find a walk in a relaxing setting is an excellent time for discussing and solving concerns or problems. So put on your walking shoes, some comfy clothes, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water, camera/phone to snap some pictures and “take a walk in the park.”
JOHN CHESTNUT, SR. PARK
A favorite park for us is the John Chestnut, Sr. Park. It was built in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and covers approximately 255 acres. Chestnut Park is conveniently located off East Lake Road serving north Pinellas County. It is the closest park to us and we like the variety of trails, elevated boardwalks, scenic lake views, and creekside trails. Plus, Chestnut Park has a variety of wildlife that we typically spot on any walk. Easy finds are the variety of birds, waterfowl, eagles, tortoise/turtles, deer and even alligators. On a recent walk this summer we spotted deer below the boardwalk. Beware, squirrels are always scurrying on the paths, trees and boardwalk. A variety of birds are found especially around the lake and swampy areas.
CHESTNUT PARK TRAILS
A Safe Place to Walk in Pinellas County
Chestnut Park features three different nature trails, each approximately 3,000 feet in length. Most of the trails are in the trees providing much appreciated shade in a Florida summer. Yes, the trees even make it cooler. Thankfully all the boardwalks in Chestnut Park were just recently replaced offering a new feel. They are made of recycled gallon jugs. With three walking trails, on each excursion to Chestnut Park, we choose to walk one, two or all three trails. So depending on our desire and energy, we decide the trail or trails that are best for that day. Note: No dogs, bicycles, rollerblades or scooters are allowed on the trails.
The North Trail
This trail begins at Shelter #10. When entering the Park continue straight and turn right after the bridge. The small parking area is on the right. The North Trail starts with a boardwalk that runs through a cypress swamp. Be sure to stop and look at the trees and foliage which change each season. Staying quiet helps to see more wildlife. Squirrels are entertaining as they constantly scurry along the boardwalk. The elevated boardwalk twists and turns creating unique scenery. There are nice benches for sitting and enjoying the solitude of the swamp and taking a more indepth look at the trees, plants, and shrubs. Sometimes the trail is a footpath then it returns to an elevated boardwalk as it winds through the cypress swamp. The trail ends near Lake Tarpon by a Rest Room and a large parking lot for Picnic Shelters in the area. (The sand volleyball court and building in this area are currently closed).
Since the North Trail does not return to the starting point, we continue to walk on the boardwalk that is along Lake Tarpon. There a numerous scenic areas along Lake Tarpon, a five-mile long lake that is one-mile wide and generally 8-12 feet deep. Once the boardwalk by the lake ends, we like to follow the sidewalk by the various picnic shelters, a playground, and bathroom that are close to the lakeshore. Then we take one of the bridges that crosses the Creek. Of course, we to stop on the bridge to see if an alligator is sleeping nearby and snap some photos. Sadly, the Creek is pretty much overgrown with algae now so it is not as scenic and wildlife is not as plentiful. There is an “unofficial” dirt path that passes by picnic shelters and even relaxing swings. Then it returns us to the bridge, near the parking area for the North Trail.
Lake Tarpon Boardwalk & Tower Trail
It seems this trail doesn’t have an official name, so we call it the Lake Tarpon Boardwalk & Tower Trail. There are two starting points for this elevated boardwalk trail, either the parking lot by the Boat Launch or the parking lot by the large Playground. Again it is not a loop trail but there is an “unofficial dirt path” that leads back to the Playground or enjoy a return stroll on the Lake Tarpon Boardwalk & Tower Trail.
We usually start at the Playground Parking Lot, which also has a bathroom. The Boardwalk Trail starts on a path to the right of the bathroom. It is an elevated boardwalk that offers plenty of picturesque scenes in the woods and along Lake Tarpon. Have a camera ready to take some great pictures of this magnificent lake. We highly recommend this walk for the lake scenery. Be sure to walk down to look out areas and picnic tables where the boardwalk juts into the Lake. Much of Tarpon Lake on the shoreline is tall foliage which can block the view and these areas provide excellent locations for seeing this huge lake. Beware, there natural enthusiasts along the trails taking pictures of the varied wildlife. On one walk, a man is taking pictures of an eagle as the eagle snatches a catch in the air from another bird. We learn this is how the eagles feed over the water by “taking the catch” away in mid-air from another bird. The eagle easily escapes with the catch.
The boardwalk has picturesque twists and nice benches for relaxing. As the Boardwalk follows the Lake it comes to a multi-story wooden tower. Kids and adults enjoy climbing the steps to the top of the tower for mile long views of Lake Tarpon and the surrounding area. Here the Boardwalk makes 90 degree turn, as this is the boat ramp launch area and entrance for Lake Tarpon. Several places along the boardwalk have short boardwalks going into the cypress swamp. Some have picnic tables in a very secluded setting. The Lake Tarpon Boardwalk & Tower ends at the Boat Launch. Choices are to return on the Boardwalk Trail, follow the road to the left from the Boat Launch Parking lot back to the Playground or take a longer walk by going to Peggy Park Trail. Our preference is to take the Peggy Park Trail to make this a longer walk.
Peggy Park Trail
The Peggy Park Trail is a self-guided nature trail that is a combination elevated boardwalk and path. To reach it, on entering Chestnut Park take a left at the stop sign and follow it to the end where the road circles around a stone bathroom building. There is a large sign for Peggy Park Trail. For those walking from the boat launch either walk along the road or take a small path past Shelter 1 to a parking area and follow the road a short distance to the right.
The Peggy Park Trail is in memory of Peggy Park, a ranger at Chestnut Park, who lost her life in the line of duty. A sign at the entrance shares the details about Peggy Park. It is unique that her last name was actually Park. The Trail starts with the elevated boardwalk as it winds through the woods allowing some views of Lake Tarpon. Again, there is often wildlife in the area. After winding through some woods and swamp the boardwalk becomes a path.
A creek (we think it is Brooker Creek) runs from Lake Tarpon to canals and eventually to Old Tampa Bay. The trail along the creek is very scenic. A great place to take some pictures that capture the essence of a Florida-scape with the Spanish moss hanging over trees all reflecting in the creek. There are benches along the creek providing great places to relax and take in the natural beauty of the area.
Peggy Park Trail has two options as it finishes. There is a sign that offers the choice of the short or long path. The short option is a path that leads directly to the parking lot, while the longer option continues to follow the creek before returning through the pine woods to the parking lot. It is not much longer but can sometimes be wet if there has been a lot of rain. We usually opt for the long path for its scenery.
OTHER PARK FEATURES:
The purpose of this article is on the Trails offered in John Chestnut, Sr. Park. Know that this is a large park that offers several activities. In addition to our walks in the Park, we’ve enjoyed many family picnics in the terrific Shelters at Chestnut Park.
Other park features are:
- Softball field—bring your own equipment. Lake Tarpon can accommodate boats with combustion engines. Additionally, the
- Canoe Trail is a landlocked waterway connected to an interior lake, but can only accommodate non-combustion engines.
- 13 Picnic Shelters with grills
- Boat Ramp (fee charged)
- Playgrounds (two) – use at own risk during Covid 19
- Horseshoe Pits
- Restrooms – some closed due to Covid 19
- Dog Park
A SAFE PLACE FOR A WALK IN 2020 IN PINELLAS COUNTY
Get healthy and relax by going for a walk. Now is the perfect time to check out the Pinellas County Parks. Whether by yourself or with a friend delight in the benefits of a walk. Hope this encourages you to put on your walking shoes, grab a hat, lather on some sunscreen, slip on your sunglasses, take a bottle water, bring your camera/phone and enjoy a “walk in the park.”
John Chesnut Sr. Park, 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34685