Keep mind and body active with adventure, and

free transportation to and from six County Parks

& Recreation centers.

What to Expect Neighborhood Parks and Recreation Centers are generally short paved trails with water and facilities, unless otherwise noted. Conservation Park Trails provide more of a nature experience than your typical Neighborhood Park trail. Though some are paved, most are primitive trails that take you through a variety of natural habitats ranging from upland pine flatwoods, to wetland swamps, to bottomland forests. Most of the Conservation Parks have amenities such as running water, restrooms, playgrounds, and manicured pathways. Nature Preserve Trails take the nature experience up several notches. When hiking nature preserves, you will be leaving civilization behind. On a nature preserve, development is kept to a minimum to protect natural areas and wildlife. Nature preserve trailheads have small, unpaved parking lots, a fence with a walk-through entrance, and a small kiosk with trail information. Nature preserves do not have restrooms or running water. Trails are unpaved, longer with fewer trail markers, and have rougher terrain. Trails are marked with blazes. What are blazes? Many nature preserve trails are marked a certain color, usually red, blue, or yellow. These paint markings on posts or trees are blazes and will guide you in the proper direction. If you come to an intersection, look for a blaze for what direction to hike. Always carry a map when you are hiking a nature preserve. If you are new to hiking, we recommend getting your hiking legs at a Neighborhood Park trail, and then progress to the Conservation Parks and Nature Preserves. When hiking, always bring:

1. The correct trail map for your destination 2. A compass or GPS 3. Plenty of drinking water 4. Appropriate shoes 5. Sun protection

• Join our hiking, paddling,and nature events.

• Sign up for our monthlyTrailblazer newsletter. Learn about guided hikesand exciting activities inyour local parks.

• Visit HCFLGov.net/Conservation for more information or to purchasean annual parks pass.

Explore Morewith an Annual

HillsboroughCounty Parks

Pass

Sleep under the stars and discover the great outdoors at the

2019 Great American Campout Wortham Park will

host Scouting groups January 26

Alderman’s Ford will host family and friends on March 16

Seniors Outdoor Active Recreation (SOAR)

Visit HCFLGov.net for more information

Parks & Recreation

HCFLGov.net/Conservation

Hillsborough County

HikingSpree Nov. 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019

Visit HCFLGov.net/HikingSpree to register and for more information,

or visit your local Hillsborough County recreation center.

GopherTortoise

HillsboroughCounty Parks

HikingSpree

Recharge, Unwind, Relax... Take a Hike

Hiking Spree Check the trails you hike.

How it Works Register for Hiking Spree at HCFLGov.net/HikingSpree. Complete a minimum of eight designated trails between Nov. 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019. Participants may hike on their own, with others or on our guided park staff hikes. Check HCFLGov.net for upcoming hikes. Some sites have entrance and parking fees.

Access Hikers Hikers may repeat any trail twice for credit provided they occur on different dates.

SafetyBe sure to dress appropriately and bring plenty of water. Trail Classes: A-All Purpose B-Basic C-Primitive Ratings: 1-Easy, 2-Moderate, 3-Strenous (rough terrain)

Rewards Upon completion, please choose a medallion or an official Hiker patch as a reward. To receive your medallion or patch, bring your completed form to one of these park locations by March 31, 2019:

• All Peoples Life Center • Branchton

• Roy Haynes • Ruskin

• Conservation Park Office • Westchase at Bell Creek Preserve

• Gardenville

To receive your medallion or patch by mail, send your completed form with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: HCPRD Hiking Spree Bell Creek CELM Admin Offices, 10940 McMullen Road, Riverview, FL 33569

I certify that I have hiked a minimum of 8 of the listed trails.

I would like (check only one): Brass Medallion Patch

Name:________________________________________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________

Date:______________________

Order Number (found in your email receipt when you registered):

Park / Address Trail Name Miles Class Rating

Hiker’s Choice Anywhere, Earth

Conservation Parks – Mid-Range, Well-Maintained Paths and Trails Edward Medard Conservation Park 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City Singing Bluffs Trail 1.25 C 3

E.G. Simmons Conservation Park 2401 19th Ave. N.W., Ruskin Manatee Bay Trail 1.0 B 1

Lake Rogers Conservation Park9010 N. Mobley Road, Odessa Lakeside Trail 2.37 B 2

Lettuce Lake Conservation Park 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa Hammock Run; Boardwalk 1.25; +.75 A 1

Lithia Springs Conservation Park3932 Lithia Springs Road, Lithia Fish Hawk Trail North 3.8 C 3

Morris Bridge Conservation Park*13630 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa Bald Cypress Trail 1.04 B 2

Nature Preserves – No Facilities. Subject to Daily Conditions Bahia Beach Nature Preserve 2513 Shell Point Road, Ruskin Heritage Trail (Red Trail) 1.38 C 3

Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve 2469 Patrinostro Road, Plant City Red Loop 4.6; +1.8 C 3

Cockroach Creek Greenway Nature Preserve4110 Valroy Road, Ruskin Curiosity Trail (Blue Trail) 3.2; +.75 C 3

Fishhawk Creek South Nature Preserve 16640 Boyette Road, Riverview FishHawk Trail South (Red Trail) 2.67 C 3

Little Manatee River Corridor Nature Preserve 2608 S. County Road 579,Wimauma Red Trail; Blue Trail 1.48; +1.86 C 3

Rocky Creek Trails Nature Preserve7415 Manhattan Drive, Tampa Rocky Creek Trail .43 C 2

Triple Creek Nature Preserve13305 Balm Boyette Road, Riverview Deuces R’ Wild Trail 2.7; +2.1 C 3

Neighborhood Parks and Recreation Centers - Short, Paved Trails with Water and Facilities Beacon Meadows Neighborhood Park4824 Ridge Point Drive, Tampa Killdeer Fitness Trail .3 A 1

Branchton Neighborhood Park15498 Morris Bridge Road, Tampa Gray Fox Fitness Trail .75 A 1

Lakeview Village Neigborhood Park1530 Lakeview Village Drive, Brandon Duck Pond Fitness Trail .48 A 1

Lucy Dell Community Pond6548 N. 47th St., Tampa Boardwalk Fitness Trail 1.2 A 1

Northdale Neighborhood Park15550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa Owl Fitness Trail .5 A 1

Stephen J. Wortham Neighborhood Park12108 Rhodine Road, Riverview

Bluestem Hiking Trail – Not paved 1.4 B 2 Sand Pine Trail (Extension) – Not paved 1.7 C 3

_________________________________________________ *Due to wet conditions, this trail will not be open until mid-December.