Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park
Myakka Park
Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is located in Florida
Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park
LocationNorth Port, Florida
Coordinates27°07′07″N 82°11′46″W / 27.118700°N 82.196050°W / 27.118700; -82.196050
Area168 acres (68 ha)
Established1989 (1989)
EtymologyMikasuki: Myakka-hatchee (the river of the big water - Myakka River)
Operated bySarasota County

Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park is a 168-acre (68 ha) heavily wooded park in North Port, Florida, north of Interstate 75.[1][2]

History

In the 1970s and 1980s, new residential subdivisions were being built in North Port with development by General Development Corporation (GDC). In 1982, construction crews found unearthed artifacts and human remains while constructing roads. This led to the Myakkahatchee Creek Archaeological Site, located on the western part of the park.[3]

The Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park was acquired in 1989 with two Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grants.[4] The land was used as pastureland for cattle grazing before its acquisition.

The name Myakkahatchee comes from the Seminole language: "miarca" meaning "big water" and "hatchee" alluding to "river."[4]

Environment

The park includes the Myakkahatchee Creek and connection to the T. Mabry Carlton Reserve,[5] basic camping areas, 3.7 miles (6.0 km) of trails available for hiking, bike riding, and horseback riding, a picnic area, a parking area, and restrooms.[5][6][7] The park also offers birdwatching and fishing.[8]

The ecology of the park includes hammock, South Florida pine flatwoods, marshes and wetlands with mixed upland areas.[9] Wildlife in the park includes deer and alligators.[10] The park floods almost every year.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park Map". North Port, Florida. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Proposed North Port Connection to Legacy Trail" (PDF) (Map). Friends of the Carlton Ranch. Sarasota County. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  3. ↑ Kimel, Earle (May 16, 2019). "Ancient burial site off Manasota Key is 1,000 years older than estimated". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Lowman, Meg (June 20, 2005). "Nature's Secrets: The black waters of Myakkahatchee – nature's teacup". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Archived from the original on May 15, 2007. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Your Local Parks". North Port, Florida. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park". Florida Hikes. July 6, 2019. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Walkabout - Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park". Peace River Audubon Society. April 23, 2016. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Sarasota Birding: North Port, Englewood & Venice". Visit Sarasota. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  9. ↑ Trails and Habitats (Map). January 2013. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Walking Club: Exploring Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park". WFTS. September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
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