Turkey Creek Sanctuary - Palm Bay, Florida
Dec 8, 2014 9:41:15 GMT -5
Post by Ira Runyan on Dec 8, 2014 9:41:15 GMT -5
The Turkey Creek Sanctuary is a small nature reserve in the city of Palm Bay in Brevard County, Florida, and incorporates both salty hammock and sand pine ridge habitats, located at 1518 Port Malabar Blvd NE, Palm Bay, FL. The Sanctuary is ADA Accessible.
Established in 1981, it was acquired and managed by the City of Palm Bay, the Audubon Society, and the EEL Program, a boardwalk nature trail, and jogging trails wind through the 130-acre sanctuary. The boardwalk trail passes through hydric (wet) hammock, mesic (moist) hammock, and sand pine scrub communities, and much of it overlooks Turkey Creek. The sanctuary can also be accessed by canoe or kayak.
A word of caution - The boardwalk at some points can be very slippery especially early mornings when due is present. Be careful and wear slip resistant shoes on the boardwalk.
The on-site Margaret Hames Nature Center, opened in 1992, offers interpretive exhibits, and environmental education programs, including nature day camps, tours, nature library and gift store.
The Park is open from 7am till sunset or when posted. Admission is free.
Wildlife: Box turtle, alligator, eastern indigo snake, west Indian manatee, river otter, gopher tortoise, bobcat, spotted skunk, raccoon, opossum, endangered Florida mouse, warblers, osprey, duck, wading birds, hawks, pileated woodpecker and many others.
Map of Turkey Creek Sanctuary Trails
DIRECTIONS:
Address -1518 Port Malabar Blvd NE, Palm Bay, FL.
From I95 take exit 176 and go east on Palm Bay Rd
Turn right at Babcock St (CR507) and proceed south
Turn left on Port Malabar Blvd., and continue east one mile to the Palm Bay Community Center
Then turn right into the sanctuary.
From U.S. 1
From U.S. 1 turn west at Port Malabar Blvd.
Go 2 miles and turn left at the Turkey Creek sign at Palm Bay Community Center.
Established in 1981, it was acquired and managed by the City of Palm Bay, the Audubon Society, and the EEL Program, a boardwalk nature trail, and jogging trails wind through the 130-acre sanctuary. The boardwalk trail passes through hydric (wet) hammock, mesic (moist) hammock, and sand pine scrub communities, and much of it overlooks Turkey Creek. The sanctuary can also be accessed by canoe or kayak.
A word of caution - The boardwalk at some points can be very slippery especially early mornings when due is present. Be careful and wear slip resistant shoes on the boardwalk.
The on-site Margaret Hames Nature Center, opened in 1992, offers interpretive exhibits, and environmental education programs, including nature day camps, tours, nature library and gift store.
The Park is open from 7am till sunset or when posted. Admission is free.
Wildlife: Box turtle, alligator, eastern indigo snake, west Indian manatee, river otter, gopher tortoise, bobcat, spotted skunk, raccoon, opossum, endangered Florida mouse, warblers, osprey, duck, wading birds, hawks, pileated woodpecker and many others.
Map of Turkey Creek Sanctuary Trails
DIRECTIONS:
Address -1518 Port Malabar Blvd NE, Palm Bay, FL.
From I95 take exit 176 and go east on Palm Bay Rd
Turn right at Babcock St (CR507) and proceed south
Turn left on Port Malabar Blvd., and continue east one mile to the Palm Bay Community Center
Then turn right into the sanctuary.
From U.S. 1
From U.S. 1 turn west at Port Malabar Blvd.
Go 2 miles and turn left at the Turkey Creek sign at Palm Bay Community Center.