OUTDOORS VisitSPC.com/Outdoors LAKE TARPON bathing area. Nowadays, it’s a scenic feature, not a swimmable one. An observation area, boardwalk, shaded trail, and information display are just some of the facets of the 210-acre park, which also connects to the Pinellas Trail . LAKE TARPON Boating on Lake Tarpon takes you back in time to a more tranquil Florida. Rated one of the Top 10 bass lakes in the state, Lake Tarpon measures up to 9 miles between its northern and southernmost points. Plus, it boasts more scenery and food options than other lakes of similar size. Take in views of Chesnut Park in Palm Harbor to the southeast and A.L. Anderson Park to the north-west. Dock at the Tarpon Turtle for some hearty nutrition. BROOKER CREEK NATURE PRESERVE With 8,700 acres of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods, Brooker Creek is the county’s largest nature preserve. The scenic stretch of Tarpon Springs flora and fauna protects numerous fragile habitats that you can learn about along its nearly 5 miles of interpretive trails. Be sure to visit the award-winning Brooker Creek Preserve Environ-mental Education Center at the preserve. ANCLOTE KEY PRESERVE STATE PARK WALL SPRINGS PARK from local families for its playgrounds, picnic areas and breathtaking views of Lake Tarpon. Joggers, walkers and bicyclists can enjoy a 2.7-mile nature trail that meanders through marshes, lush canopies and over boardwalks. Best of all, you might encounter some deer when you visit. WALL SPRINGS PARK One of the county’s few spring-fed recreation areas, Wall Springs Park transports you away from your hectic routine with postcard views of a natural spring used in the mid-20th century as a spa and An island retreat that’s truly unspoiled, Anclote Key spreads out across more than 11,000 acres. Home to at least 43 species of birds, including the American oystercatcher, bald eagle and piping plover, Anclote Key takes you back in time with its 1887 lighthouse that guards the southern end of the island. Get there by taking a ferry from Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. 54 AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
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