Dunedin’s Hammock Park Site
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1900 San Mateo Drive, Dunedin, Florida Pinellas
County
“The Hammock” is an ancient 90-acre mixed-hardwood forest
filled with more than 300 native species of trees, shrubs, ferns, wildflowers
and small animals. In addition, over 100 species of birds inhabit the preserve
throughout the year.
Of the 90 acres, 75 acres are a “low” hardwood and palm
hammock, with a dark, rich soil that supports a more varied and denser
vegetation than the surrounding sandy uplands. One of the most conspicuous
features of the hammock are large, 100-year-old hardwood trees, some upward to
3 feet in diameter.
The tallest trees, reaching 80 to 90 feet, are Sweetbays.
They are becoming rare as they succumb to age, drought and invasive vines.
There are twelve trails, two boardwalks, 5 bridges, two picnic shelters, and an
observation tower. Kiosks at the trail entrances hold a five page guide to the
36 point nature trail, which is rated superior for an interpretive self-guided
tour.
Historical Perspectives
When Florida joined the Union in 1845, the U.S. Government
sent a geodetic team to survey the entire state. The Dunedin Historical Society
has a copy of the original 1846 survey map of the Dunedin area, with the park
identified as “Wet Swamp.” The surveyors’ field notes referred to it as “a
hammock.” Remarkably, the north-south boundaries of the park set by this
158-year old survey remain to this day.
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