TRAIL ADVISORIES‰Restrooms are available in the picnic areas.

‰Wear good hiking shoes

‰Bring drinking water for yourself and your pet

‰Wear a hat and use sunscreen

‰Stay on trails

‰Carry out all litter

‰Ranger station phone number on benches

‰Dogs MUST be on a six foot leash at all times

YELLOW TRAILl This trail takes about 2.5 hours tocomplete. It is 5 miles of mainly level and sandy trails. Itpasses the Mary Thaxton memorial and explores thisremote part of the Park. It passes through mesic pineflatwoods, hardwood hammocks, and scrubbyflatwoods. Shorter hikes of 2.5 or 3.5 miles can be takenby following the shortcut indicated on the trail map.Many service roads intersect the trail allowing for otherself-constructed routes. Benches are located along thetrail Biking is allowed but can be difficult in the soft sand.

BLUE TRAILlThis is a 1.5 mile trail through FloridaScrub-Jay habitat. It passes through mesic pineflatwoods and scrubby flatwoods. It begins at the sametrailhead as the Red Trail and then follows the fence linenorth along a housing development. It later joins theYellow Trail parallel to the Legacy Trail before returningto the starting point. Much of this trail can be sandy indry weather and provides little shade during the hike.Biking is allowed but can prove difficult in spots.

RED TRAILlThe red trail can be either a 1.5 or 2mile hike that explores the northwestern portion of thePark. It begins at the same trailhead as the Blue Trailand later splits off following the boundary of the Parkalong a housing development to the westernboundary. Biking can be difficult in spots.

GREEN TRAILlThe Green Trail begins behind theNature Center. It can be either a 2 or 3 mile hike byfollowing the marked trails, but several well markedservice roads allow many self-determined routesthrough scrubby flatwoods and mesic pine flatwoods. Itcrosses South Creek over the bridge leading to theCampground. After passing by a few campsites it entersFlorida Scrub-Jay habitat. The hike passes throughsections of past controlled burns, which are nowrestoring themselves to scrubby flatwoods. There is verylittle tree canopy cover in this part of the Park. The trailfollows the boundary with a housing developmentwhich borders the Park on the south. It is the best bikingtrail in the Park.

LESTER FINLEY TRAILlThe Lester FinleyTrail wanders through a hardwood hammock along thetidal creek of South Creek, a blackwater stream thateventually empties into Dryman Bay. This is a "barrier free"trail offering superb hiking opportunities for those withdisabilities. Round trip distance is about .5 miles and takesabout 20 minutes. There is an extensive tree canopyoffering shade during the heat of midday. There is ahandicapped equipped fishing pier, two butterflygardens, several benches and picnic tables, and a waterfountain along the trail. Additionally, there are 5 audioboxes along the trail that explain various aspects of thedifferent habitats. Foot traffic only is permitted on this trail.

SOUTH CREEK NATURE TRAILlThis is a.5 mile, one way trail, that can be started at either thepicnic area across from the Nature Center or at theSouth Creek Parking Lot. It follows South Creek andcrosses the road leading into the Campground. Severalmarkers along the trail point out aspects of the naturalenvironment. An extensive tree canopy provides shadeduring the mid-day heat. It can be combined with theLester Finley Trail for an easy hike of 1.5 miles. Foot trafficonly is permitted on this trail.

LEGACY HONORE TRAIL CONNECTIONl This provides a connection from the trails in the Park tothe Scherer – Thaxton Preserve. It is approximately .75miles in length and travels through varied habitats.

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE FRIENDS?The Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Inc. is a designatedCitizen Support Organization under the Division ofRecreation and Parks of the Florida Department ofEnvironmental Protection.

MISSION:‰ To support the preservation and protection of the

cultural resources and natural systems that are part of the Park

‰ To promote public awareness of the ecological importance of the Park through interpretive programs,special events, and social functions

‰ To provide volunteer projects, services and general assistance to the Park

The Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Inc. is a non-profit tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of theInternal Revenue Code. Contributions are deductibleto the extent allowed under current tax laws.

Annual Dues:

Family ($25) ____ Individual ($20) ____ Student ($15) ____

Name __________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

City _______________________State _______________Zip _____________

Phone __________________________________________________________

Email ___________________________________________________________

!

1843 South Tamiami TrailOsprey, FL 34229

(941) 483-5956

Please mail check to:Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Inc.

1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 3422901/12

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This portion of the trail may be closedfrom October 1 through May 15 in

order to maintain an Eagle nest buffer.

To SchererThaxtonPreserve

Legacy Honore Connector Trail

Legacy Honore Connector Trail

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