A Sample Urban EcoTrekk
A very convenient possible central starting point with some of the closest direct access to our water-based Urban EcoFun is the Bayboro Harbor Area only a few brief walking minutes from the Downtown-St. Pete Pier & Park areas. From the nearby launching areas, serious paddlers can explore not only the lower portions of the Salt Creek, but also nearby Tampa Bay with its array of interlocking bayous located in many directions both North and South. For the more serious paddlers, heading South there is direct access to Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. A good paddle heading North will take you the unique mangrove tunnels of Weedon Island Preserve.
Included in this harbor area is also our Innovation District serving as our regional marine research hub with a major university branch campus, a world-renowned media school, a business incubator, several other public and private research organizations, and most importantly in these continuing COVID-19 times...two major hospitals.
This location is also a hub for Westward biking, hiking, and walking opportunities both North and South. For example, heading Northwest will take you first through the shady cool and scenic Rosier Park by the banks of Booker Creek arriving then at Campbell Park that features a 12-foot-deep skate bowl reportedly the deepest in the Southeast.
At this Northwestern portion of the Southside Greenway, you will then have several enjoyable options:
Choice 1: Proceed Southwest to Deuces Trail (22nd Street South) to visit what was once the City's nationally recognized famous African American community known as the Deuces. Here you might enjoy visiting the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum and/or dining at the Chief’s Creole Café or the Manhattan Casino. From here you could also then directly head South on the Deuces Trail arriving at Dell Holmes Park overlooking Lake Maggiore in the middle the 290 acre Boyd Hill Nature Preserve sometimes referred to as St. Petersburg’s Central Park. With alligators in the lake ONLY kayaks or canoes should be launched here.
Choice 2: Is to continue heading Northwest to join the 45-mile long Pinellas Trail. From this intersection Northern Pinellas County can be explored OR you can proceed southward on the Skyway & Skyway Bridge Trail to the Skyway Fishing Pier Park (bridge) in order to enjoy fishing…pier & shore.