Brooker Creek Preserve
{{Short description|Park in the US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Brooker Creek Preserve
| alt_name =
| iucn_category =
| photo = Trail Bridge.JPG
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = A trail bridge built by Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve.
| photo_width =
| map = USA Florida
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_width =
| location = Pinellas County, Florida
| nearest_city = Tarpon Springs, Florida
| coordinates = {{coord|28.1092|-82.665|region:US-FL|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{convert|9800|acre|km2}}
| established = 1992
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = Southwest Florida Water Management District
| world_heritage_site =
| url = http://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/
}}
Brooker Creek Preserve is located in Pinellas County, Florida, owned by the Pinellas County government and the Southwest Florida Water Management District,[http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/brookercreekpreserve.html State Recreation Areas] and managed by the Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department. It encompasses 8,700 acres{{Cite web |title=Pinellas County Florida -Brooker Creek Preserve |url=https://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=www.brookercreekpreserve.org}} (35km2) and offers birding, horseback riding, and hiking. The Preserve office is located at 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, Florida,[http://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/ Official Brooker Creek Preserve Website].
The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center features displays and interactive exhibits about Florida natural history and local history. Educational and interpretive programs are offered for the public.
Aboriginal History
"Native people hunted and gathered here for thousands of years, leaving behind spear points that date from 7000 BCE to 900 CE."[http://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/pagesHTM/about/abt5000.htm Brooker Creek Preserve History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014161221/http://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/pagesHTM/about/abt5000.htm |date=October 14, 2010 }} The most recent aboriginal tribe to occupy the land that encompasses the Brooker Creek Preserve was the Tocobaga tribe. The Tocobaga declined in the 17th century and became extinct in the 18th century due to disease and violence.[http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/tocobag/tocobag1.htm Tocobaga Indians of Tampa Bay], Exploring Florida: A Social Studies Resource for Students and Teachers.
Gallery
Photos added here are from the nature trail near the education center.
File:Brooker creek nature walkway.jpg|Brooker creek nature walkway
File:Brooker creek nature walk.jpg|Brooker creek nature walk
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.brookercreekpreserve.org/ Official Brooker Creek Preserve Website]
- [http://www.friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org/ Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve]
{{Protected areas of Florida}}
Category:Parks in Pinellas County, Florida
Category:Tarpon Springs, Florida
Category:Nature centers in Florida
Category:Southwest Florida Water Management District reserves
Category:1992 establishments in Florida
Category:Protected areas established in 1992
{{Florida-protected-area-stub}}
{{PinellasCountyFL-geo-stub}}