Tall Cypress Natural Area will host a Nature at Night Hike, for ages 8 and up. The naturalist-led hike will run from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. Preregistration is required by calling Quiet Waters Park at 954-357-5100, and sturdy shoes are a must.This 53.3-acre natural area, which opened on February 7, 2002, includes a 2,090-foot boardwalk with two covered overlooks, a concrete trail, restrooms, interpretive signage, seating areas, an amphitheater, and a small parking lot. The park, purchased through the 1989 Environmentally Sensitive Lands Bond program, is also exceptionally rich in wildlife.
The site contains a dense, continuous canopy of cypress trees that transitions to slash pines. Interspersed within this canopy are shallow willow and pond apple depressions, sabal palm heads, red maples, and strangler fig trees. The understory of sword and leather ferns, saw palmetto, swamp lily, soft-leaved wild coffee, beautyberry, and other basin swamp plants is so thick that it is extremely difficult to traverse this urban forest by foot – hence the boardwalk that enables visitors to experience the natural area without disturbing it.
Due to the density of vegetation and the lack of disturbance, the site is ideal habitat for heavily forested woodland species of animals. Resident and migratory birds documented here include the great horned owl, pileated woodpecker, great egret, little blue heron, cardinal, bluejay, and many species of warbler. Among the plentiful reptiles are the Florida box turtle, Florida softshell turtle, cornsnake, Eastern garter snake, and green anole lizard. The site is also home to many species of butterflies, including white peacock, malachite, gulf fritillary, and Julia.
The natural area is jointly managed by the county and the city.
WHERE: Tall Cypress Natural Area
3700 Turtle Run Blvd., Coral Springs 33067
954-357-5100
WHEN: Saturday, March 2, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
WHO: For ages 8 and up.
HOW: Fee: $5/person. Preregistration is required by calling Quiet Waters Park at 954-357-5100.
For further information, call Quiet Waters at 954-357-5100. Tall Cypress is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #34.
