South Trail Hike: The Nature Path

This is my favorite hike because so much of it is in the woods. Most of the path isn't paved so that keeps some folks away.  I start at the Rosery Road entrance.  There is some parking on the neighborhood streets and it is closest to my home.  This lower loop when done as a figure 8 takes about 25 minutes or so.  You can easily add more by going a bit north and skirting the south edge of the central pond.

This is the sign at the Rosery Road, Largo entrance.

If you start to the left this is the path to the south pond

Here is a view of the south pond or more accurately a bog/marsh. 2 years ago we could see the water. But according to the signs, the grow is natural plants that help filter the water.

Its pretty obvious the reeds and plants have won out over the open water we used to have!

If you walk your small dog in the park, know that coyotes are brazen enough to snatch it from you.  2019 photo

Rabbits are commonly seen on the trail, the paved part marked for a fitness trail. I can never find the starting point! This part of the park is wild and trees decay as part of the cycle of life

Staying to the right you enter the unpaved path with benches and bridges.

As you leave the pond, you stay left at the fork in the path. Another bench with a view of the woods

This bridge allows the water to drain from the park and under Keene Road

At this bridge you go left, then cut back around the pond to the left and go right at the fork to the park entrance

This is looking back as you finish at Rosery Road. Of course you can always start here to vary your route