|
Eagle Lake Park: An Oasis in Pinellas CountyThis is not an official county website, just run by an enthusiast who loves the park. Hope you like it as well.
Eagle Lake Park is located at 1800 Keene Road in Largo, Florida in the center of Pinellas County, the most densely populated county in the state. It's 163 acres of varied environment from lakes to woods to open grassland. The park is maintained by the county. The park is well developed for picnics with many shelters and good restrooms. There is even a dog park. Reserve a shelter by contacting the Pinellas County Parks department. It's a bit of wild life, woods and water that is free to enjoy. If you walked all the trails, paved and dirt, you could cover 3 miles. I am a walker myself. Mornings are nicest but a warm winter afternoon is splendid as well. It is a great way to start a day. In 2015 the nice folks at Mosquito Abatement cleaned up the central pond eliminating the overgrowth of duckweed that was choking the pond. Thanks guys! This year (2021), a weir was installed on the central pond to prevent the return of duckweed and help filter pollutants. Learn more about protecting our watershed at PinellasCounty.org. This year (2021) the county cleared a massive amount of underbrush greatly reducing the chance of a fire. |
History of the Park
From Pinellas County's website: "The 163-acre park originally belonged to the Taylor family, one of the original pioneer families in Pinellas County. The Taylor's used the property for cattle grazing and as a citrus grove. The park comprises two parcels the county purchased in 1998 and 2006."
From Wikipedia we learn more: " John Stansel Taylor was a Largo, Florida politician, citrus grower, and businessman who served as the first State Senator from Pinellas County, Florida. He was born "six miles south of Largo" on March 21, 1871,[1] before Largo became a municipality and when Pinellas County was still Western Hillsborough County. Taylor’s parents were among the Pinellas Peninsula's first pioneers,[2] and he was one of the first residents to be born in the Largo area. He was one of four members of his family to serve in the State Legislature. He was one of the largest landowners in Pinellas County, owning citrus groves and a packing plant at a time when Largo was nicknamed "Citrus City."
[3] Taylor was President of the Florida Citrus Exchange and a Member of the State Citrus Commission. He has been called "the father of Pinellas County."[4] He died in 1936. Taylor Lake Park, a Pinellas County park, was named in his honor."
From Wikipedia we learn more: " John Stansel Taylor was a Largo, Florida politician, citrus grower, and businessman who served as the first State Senator from Pinellas County, Florida. He was born "six miles south of Largo" on March 21, 1871,[1] before Largo became a municipality and when Pinellas County was still Western Hillsborough County. Taylor’s parents were among the Pinellas Peninsula's first pioneers,[2] and he was one of the first residents to be born in the Largo area. He was one of four members of his family to serve in the State Legislature. He was one of the largest landowners in Pinellas County, owning citrus groves and a packing plant at a time when Largo was nicknamed "Citrus City."
[3] Taylor was President of the Florida Citrus Exchange and a Member of the State Citrus Commission. He has been called "the father of Pinellas County."[4] He died in 1936. Taylor Lake Park, a Pinellas County park, was named in his honor."
Great ViewsThere are many strategically placed park benches to sit on and observe the great views, mostly of the ponds. This is a view of Eagle Lake middle pond.
|
Hiking TrailsThe trails are mostly paved but one section at the southern end is more natural and covered with crushed shell. Bikers and hikers can cover 3 miles without doubling back.
|
Watershed EcosystemThe ponds of Eagle Lake Park are part of the watershed filtration system that captures stormwater and removes pollutants before flowing to Tampa Bay through Allen's Creek.
|
