Tampa's Verdigris Stripe
The US 301 Corridor Green tour
Hillsborough River State Park
Star Flower in the swamp, from the Boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Park,
UPDATE- New Video tour of a park at the North East Tip of the Verdigris Stripe-
SWFWMD “SWIFT-MUD"- has two great water control and protection areas: the upper Hillsborough preserve and the lower Hillsborough preserve. The Upper Hillsborough Preserve includes the Green Swamp, Colt Creek State Park, and several recreational use areas and county parks. The Lower Hillsborough Preserve starts just south of Hillsborough River State Park, and includes numerous recreation areas like the Morris Bridge Park, Flatwoods Regional Park, Sargent Park, Trout Creek Park, and several others.
Verdigris Stripe Virtual Hike- River Rapids Trail and Boardwalks
Verdigris Stripe Virtual Hike- Baynard Trail and Boardwalks
Verdigris Stripe Virtual Hike- John Sargeant Memorial Boardwalk
Verdigris Stripe Virtual Hike- Morris Bridge Boardwalk
Verdigris Stripe Virtual Hike-Boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Park
Human occupation of this area has had a long history. Past generations of Native Americans took advantage of flint along area rivers to make tools. American industrialists began harvesting pine, cypress and hardwood trees on the property in the 1840s. Elevated tram roads, built to haul timber through forested wetlands, now serve as recreational trails. The Old Fort King Trail was a supply route from Tampa to Ocala used to support U.S. troops during the Seminole wars and was later used during the Civil War. A portion of this historic route is a multi-use trail that connects the Lower Hillsborough River Wilderness Park to the Hillsborough River State Park. The southern trail-head is located in John B. Sargeant Park.
Coming soon- link to Virtual Ride of the Old Fort King Trail.
Although SWFWMD has preserves from Lee County to Citrus County, this emerald cluster is very densely packed with recreational opportunities, and offers itself to the metropolitan Tampa Bay Region. It has a myriad of recreational possibilities from the simple stroll to those requiring a kayak, bicycle, or horse. It is close by, it is green, and it is the nature that can nurture your work day woes away.
More on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve---
The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve (LHWP)
contains one of the largest premier contiguous recreation areas in
Hillsborough County. Within the LHWP are park sites managed by the
Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department: Dead
River Park, Flatwoods Park, John B. Sargeant Park, Morris Bridge Park,
Trout Creek Park and Wilderness Park Off Road Loop Trail System. The
SWFWMD manages the Jefferson Equestrian Area and Oak Ridge Equestrian
Area and they have minimal recreational facilities:
The multiple purposes of the LHWP are easily overlooked while enjoying the natural beauty of this suburban woodland. Here one can paddle waters of the Hillsborough River amongst wading birds, turtles, alligators, lilies and cypress swamps; explore over 60 miles of forest trails; fish from riverside boardwalks; or enjoy a relaxing picnic or cookout.
As important as this site has become to the Tampa Bay area in providing recreation, its primary purpose is water storage and water supply. Following severe floods from Hurricane Donna in 1960, the Four River Basins, Florida Project was initiated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prevent flooding in Tampa and Temple Terrace. The LHWP was designed for temporary impoundment of floodwaters by constructing a levee on its western boundary, a dam on the Hillsborough River and the Tampa Bypass Canal to reroute floodwaters. A structural reservoir was part of the original plan but was later abandoned as the value of natural wetlands for flood storage came to be understood. In the 1970s, the Morris Bridge well field was developed as a source of drinking water for the city of Tampa. Tampa Bay Water manages 20 wells that pump water from the Floridan aquifer system. A water treatment plant is located west of the well field and the levee.
Natural resource conservation is another important purpose of the LHWP. The area’s outstanding natural feature is 13 miles of the Hillsborough River, one-fourth the river’s length. Land cover consists mostly of riverine forests and pine flatwoods, which are managed by SWFWMD to promote biodiversity. The forested wetlands are essential for filtering rainwater before it flows into the river and for storing floodwaters. Significant ecological features include a wood stork rookery, a sawgrass marsh, a sphagnum bog and two sinkholes.
Founded decades before SWFWMD and adjoining the LHWP is the 3,000-acre Hillsborough River State Park, which contains an area of beauty and tranquility known as the Seventeen Runs of the Hillsborough River. Access to this broad hardwood swamp is very difficult whether by foot or boat. A primitive canoe trail has been marked, but obstacles may be frequent. The Fort Foster State Historic Site is a sub-unit of Hillsborough River State Park. The fort was built to protect a wooden bridge over the river along the Fort King military supply route.
Link to Hillborough River State Park website.
------------------------The multiple purposes of the LHWP are easily overlooked while enjoying the natural beauty of this suburban woodland. Here one can paddle waters of the Hillsborough River amongst wading birds, turtles, alligators, lilies and cypress swamps; explore over 60 miles of forest trails; fish from riverside boardwalks; or enjoy a relaxing picnic or cookout.
As important as this site has become to the Tampa Bay area in providing recreation, its primary purpose is water storage and water supply. Following severe floods from Hurricane Donna in 1960, the Four River Basins, Florida Project was initiated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prevent flooding in Tampa and Temple Terrace. The LHWP was designed for temporary impoundment of floodwaters by constructing a levee on its western boundary, a dam on the Hillsborough River and the Tampa Bypass Canal to reroute floodwaters. A structural reservoir was part of the original plan but was later abandoned as the value of natural wetlands for flood storage came to be understood. In the 1970s, the Morris Bridge well field was developed as a source of drinking water for the city of Tampa. Tampa Bay Water manages 20 wells that pump water from the Floridan aquifer system. A water treatment plant is located west of the well field and the levee.
Natural resource conservation is another important purpose of the LHWP. The area’s outstanding natural feature is 13 miles of the Hillsborough River, one-fourth the river’s length. Land cover consists mostly of riverine forests and pine flatwoods, which are managed by SWFWMD to promote biodiversity. The forested wetlands are essential for filtering rainwater before it flows into the river and for storing floodwaters. Significant ecological features include a wood stork rookery, a sawgrass marsh, a sphagnum bog and two sinkholes.
Founded decades before SWFWMD and adjoining the LHWP is the 3,000-acre Hillsborough River State Park, which contains an area of beauty and tranquility known as the Seventeen Runs of the Hillsborough River. Access to this broad hardwood swamp is very difficult whether by foot or boat. A primitive canoe trail has been marked, but obstacles may be frequent. The Fort Foster State Historic Site is a sub-unit of Hillsborough River State Park. The fort was built to protect a wooden bridge over the river along the Fort King military supply route.
Link to Hillborough River State Park website.
Link to SWFWMD "Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve" Page ---Click here.
Link to SWFWMD "Upper Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve" Page---Click Here
Page about Boardwalks and Hiking---Click Here
Link to a Tour around Tampa Bay for hikers.
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