Apollo Beach Nature Preserve re-opening September 9th

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Apollo Beach Nature Preserve: 

More than a scenic view

Apollo Beach Nature Preserve will reopen to the public on Wednesday, September 9th. The Preserve was closed for several months due to construction of our brand-new observation tower in the parking area. The observation tower is wheelchair accessible and provides 360° views of the Preserve. To the west, visitors will be able to see all the way across the bay to St. Petersburg. An extensive restoration consisting of 23 acres of uplands and 33 acres of wetland can be seen to the east, pictured below:



Between 2003 and 2007, the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s SWIM program funded the following projects to restore the wetland and upland habitats:

2003: dune planting adjacent to the preserve.
2004: grading and planting of wetlands and upland islands which included grading and shaping a tidal marsh with upland buffer areas.
2006: upland buffer zone planted.
2007: removal of 200 Australian pines and Brazilian pepper trees from the southwest corner.
2007: planting of 100 mature trees and palms in upland buffer zone.

The project was jointly funded by several other agencies including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Environmental Protection, The Environmental Protection Commission, and the State Water Advisory Panel. The carefully shaped design of the wetlands restoration area provides fantastic habitat for both fish and wildlife. The Preserve supports numerous species, such as the little blue heron, snowy egret, West Indian manatee, tricolored heron, pricklypear cactus, and many more. Apollo Beach Nature Preserve boasts some of the best fishing in the Bay area and is a coveted destination for fishermen all over Hillsborough County. The Preserve's 63 acres supports over 50 different species of birds who appreciate the mangrove nurseries just as much as their human counterparts.


Despite all of the native communities present, Apollo Beach Nature Preserve was completely man-made from the deposition of spoil left over from the dredging of channels in the vicinity. The Preserve was purchased by the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP) in cooperation with the Florida Communities Trust in 1996. In 2000, ELAPP began implementing the park amenities our visitors are now familiar with.

Speaking of amenities...what can you expect to see when visiting Apollo Beach Nature Preserve when it re-opens on September 9th?

The first thing you'll notice (and can't miss) upon entering the Preserve will be our new observation tower! As of the date of publication, there will be a maximum limit of 10 visitors at a time allowed on the new wheelchair-accessible project. We are proud to boast one of only wheelchair-accessible observation towers in Hillsborough County and hope this sets a standard for expended accessibility for future projects so all residents are able to enjoy our natural areas. The parking lot will also be limited to 50% capacity, and visitors are asked to respect CDC guidelines while enjoying the Preserve. Please remember that private residences do not allow for parking outside the Preserve gate - try to visit on a less crowded week day, if possible!


Another exciting addition is our ~1/2 mile beach hiking trail. Hugging the shoreline of the Preserve, hikers will enjoy a scenic bay view on one side of the trail and fantastic opportunities to see the restoration area on the other. Sea grape, mangrove, and beach sunflower line either side of the sandy trail, providing a wonderful opportunity for a bit of solitude and connection with nature. Eventually, the vegetation will form small tunnels and provide a small amount of shade along the trail. While this opportunity to hike along the restoration area will be exciting, Preserve rules must always be observed to ensure the trail is enjoyed responsibly. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed and picked up after, hikers must stay on the trail at all times to protect sensitive areas, and flowers must be enjoyed with the eyes, not hands! Species are protected for both your present safety and future enjoyment. Following a native vegetation planting on the 8th of September, Apollo Beach Nature Preserve will have a whole new look and a variety of new ways to connect with nature!

Apollo Beach aerials: 1995-2013




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