Paradise Coast Official Visitors Guide 2009 - (Page 28) SIGHTSEEING continued from page 26 BEACHES & PARKS Ann Olesky Park at Lake Trafford u The only natural freshwater lake this side of Lake Okeechobee. This 1,500-acre lake is known for its superlative fishing. Haven for wildlife photographers, birders and nature lovers. q Lake Trafford Road, Immokalee, 239-487-3794, www.colliergov.net/parks. fishing, sunbathing, shelling and swimming. There’s plenty of shade for picnicking, birding and relaxing. q g 11135 N. Gulfshore Dr., Naples, 239-597-6196, www.floridastateparks.org. racquetball, basketball, volleyball, shuffleboard areas, playground, restrooms and fitness center. qg 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Naples, 239-353-7128, www.colliergov.net/parks. Eagle Lakes Community Park 160 species of birds. A 2.5-mile paved nature trail provides access to the lakes surrounding the park. Ball fields, restrooms, playground and picnic areas. u Listed as one of the top 10 birding sites in u Offers baseball/softball fields plus tennis, Southwest Florida, the park is home to more than qg 11565 E. Tamiami Trl., Naples, 239-793-4414, www.colliergov.net/parks. Immokalee Community Park Big Cypress National Preserve This 729,000-acre unit of the National Park Service includes prairies, pinelands, cypress swamp, hardwood hammocks and mangrove estuary. It is habitat for many wildlife species, including the Florida panther. Many recreational activities available. 33100 E.Tamiami Trl., Ochopee, 239-695-1201, www.nps.gov/bicy. u racquetball, basketball and sand volleyball courts. Multiple ages playground. Conference rooms are also available. q g 321 N. First St., Immokalee, 239-657-4449, www.colliergov.net/parks. Lowdermilk Park on Naples Beach Picnic tables, concessions, sand volleyball courts, restrooms and outdoor showers are available. Free sand chairs available for beachgoers who require a wheelchair. Metered parking. q g 1301 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples, 239-213-3029, cs.naplesgov.com/parks/lowdermilk/index.asp. Everglades National Park The park is the only subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, as well as marine and estuarine environments. Take a boat trip from the Gulf Coast Visitors Center to see dolphins, birds and other wildlife. q g 815 Oyster Bar Ln., Everglades City, 239-695-3311, www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm. u u Cambier Park and Norris Center Enjoy theatrical performances by local acting groups at Norris Center, as well as art displays, classes and recreational rooms. Site of many events. Other amenities include the band shell, tennis, shuffleboard, tot lot, open play area and ample parking. q 755 Eighth Ave. S., Naples, 239-213-3058, www.naplesgov.com. u Naples Pier The pier is the focal point of Naples Beach. The city of Naples provides a blanket fishing license for the pier, so everyone with a fishing pole is welcome to try his luck. q g 25 - 12th Ave. S., Naples, 239-213-7120, www.naplesgov.com. u Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park Forests of bald cypress, native royal palms and orchids. Boardwalk to virgin cypress strand. Day hikes available. Park ranger-led swamp walks every third Sat. in the winter. q 137 Coastline Dr., Copeland, 239-695-4593, www.floridastateparks.org/fakahatcheestrand. u Clam Pass Beach Park Mini-trams shuttle visitors from the parking area to a white-sand beach. Concessions rent chairs, cabanas, canoes, kayaks and other beach equipment, including beach wheelchairs. Snack bar and restrooms on site plus ranger-guided tours available on request. g Seagate Drive, Naples, 239-252-4000, www.colliergov.net/parks. u North Collier Regional Park Sun-N-Fun Lagoon water park, offering fun and relief from the heat for families. Large tournament-quality facilities for soccer and softball, fitness center and gymnasium. Reader Response 39. See ad on page 36. q 15000 Livingston Rd., Naples, 239-252-4000, www.colliergov.net/parks. Fleischmann Park Lighted racquetball, volleyball, basketball courts and game fields. Playground, water splash area, game room and restrooms. The Johnny Nocera Edge Skate Park on site. q 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples, 239-213-3020, www.naplesgov.com. u u Collier-Seminole State Park u Enjoy viewing tropical plants and many types of endangered animals, including black bears, fox squirrels and panthers. The historic walking dredge that constructed the Tamiami Trail in the 1920s is on display. The 120 campsites are popular in winter. q g 20200 E. Tamiami Trl., Naples, 239-394-3397, www.floridastateparks.org. Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge Protected land serves as habitat for the endangered Florida Panther and other wildlife and as a research site for the Naples Orchid Restoration Project. Two hiking trails open to the public. The Leslie M. Duncan Memorial Trail is 0.3 miles, wheelchair accessible with a raised, shell-paved trail bed. An unimproved loop trail winds 1.3 miles through the refuge. Open daily from sunup to sundown. q g State Road 29 just north of I-75, 239-353-8442, www.floridapanther.org. North Gulf Shore Beach Access This walking path between the condominiums of Seagate and North Gulf Shore Boulevard provides access to the Gulf beach in North Naples. Parking is available on Seagate Drive. q North Gulf Shore Boulevard, Naples, 239-252-4000, www.colliergov.net/parks. u u Conner Park Pelican Bay Community Park Eight lighted clay tennis courts, four lighted racquetball courts, two bocce courts, lighted basketball court, lighted tot lot, softball field, soccer field, walking trail system and lake. 764 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples, 239-598-3025, www.colliergov.net/parks. u Spanning two strips of land on either side of 111th Avenue, Conner Park’s five acres offer parking for the nearby beaches, walking paths and fishing in the Turkey Bay Channel. q g 111th Avenue North, Naples, 239-252-4000, www.colliergov.net/parks. u Frank E. Mackle Jr. Community Park The park offers walking and biking paths, a picnic area, all-new playground and spray park facility, and soccer fields. After a workout, enjoy a quiet moment and a pretty view of the lake. q g 1361 Andalusia Terr., Marco Island, 239-642-0575, www.cityofmarcoisland.com. u CREW Marsh Trails u The CREW Marsh hiking trails lead you through four ecosystems: pine flatwoods, oak hammock, sawgrass marsh and a pop ash slough. A variety of wildflowers are always blooming along the trails. Experience the “Real Florida” on this quiet, easy hike. q 23998 Corkscrew Rd., Estero, 239-657-2253, www.crewtrust.org. Picayune Strand State Forest The forest is home to many unique species of flora and fauna as well as a multitude of recreational activities. Picayune Strand is part of the Everglades restoration project. Come and explore this exceptional state forest. q 2121 - 52nd Ave. S.E., Naples, 239-348-7557, www.fl-dof.com. continued on page 30 u Golden Gate Community Park and Aquatic Center Large exercise pool, kids’ activity pool and water slide. Also offering lighted tennis, u Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park A 166-acre barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. Part of the real Florida with more than a mile of unspoiled beach, the park is a good place for u Naples Area Marco Island Area Everglades Area Immokalee Area Symbols: q = Family Friendly, g = Handicapped Access, = Guided Tours 28 LEARN MORE:www.paradisecoast.com http://www.floridastateparks.org http://www.colliergov.net/parks http://www.colliergov.net/parks http://www.colliergov.net/parks http://www.colliergov.net/parks http://www.nps.gov/bicy http://cs.naplesgov.com/parks/lowdermilk/index.asp http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm http://www.naplesgov.com http://www.naplesgov.com http://www.floridastateparks.org/fakahatcheestrand http://www.colliergov.net/parks http://www.colliergov.net/parks http://www.naplesgov.com http://www.colliergov.net/parks http://www.floridastateparks.org http://www.floridapanther.org http://www.colliergov.net/parks http://www.colliergov.net/parks http://www.cityofmarcoisland.com http://www.crewtrust.org http://www.fl-dof.com http://www.ParadiseCoast.com/
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