Hammock Park is a 90-acre nature preserve and is a unique natural feature that represents one of the last examples of a coastal forest that was typical of West Central Florida prior to development. Today, the park provides environmental educational opportunities for our citizens and offers visitors a quiet respite from the surrounding urban areas.

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“Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”

    — Rachel Carson  (1907-1964)

Hammock Park is on flickr!

Current News

The 15th Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Hammock

Thursday, January 28th at 7:00 PM in the Elliott room at the Dunedin Community Center — 1920 Pinehurst Road.

Our guest speaker will be Jim McGinity, recent biologist of Brooker Creek Park. Come join us as Jim leads us to understand Hammock Park in:

A Bird's Eye View of the Hammock Park

Jim will talk about the different ecosystems found in the park and the connection between native plants, healthy habitats and vibrant bird populations. Also, he will share us with a few suggestions of how each one of us can help birds in the park and our own yards.

Biography:

Mr. McGinity is a biologist and environmental educator with a life-long passion for birds. He started bird watching at the age of seven and has shared his love of birds with people of all ages while working at nature/environmental centers in four different states (Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida). He has run a migratory bird banding station in Milwaukee and participated in a number of research and citizen science projects involving birds. In addition, he is the vice-president of the board for the Pinellas chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and is very interested in communicating the importance of native plants and healthy ecosystems to resident and migratory birds. A native of Indiana, Mr. McGinity has lived in Dunedin for 6 years where he enjoys exploring Florida's natural areas including paddling rivers/streams and bird watching on our beautiful beaches and in Hammock Park.

Please join us, renew your membership and bring a friend!

Potato Pick-up a success!!

Air Potato "Round-up" on Jan. 16, 2010 fills a dumpster!

Introduced to Florida in 1905 and promoted as a garden plant, the "Air Potato" has been living in Hammock Park since the 1980s. It has survived there so well, that many hardwoods and understory plants are under severe stress from this invasive vine. The plant invades, consumes and harms pinelands and biologically diverse hardwood hammocks. It vines over trees up to 60 feet high starving them from sunlight, resulting in possible death of the tree. Read more about the air potato here.

The battle against this invasion includes the seasonal use of herbicide and constant physical removal of vines before the “potato” itself can germinate. A potato the size of a pencil eraser will propagate quickly to kill a 100 year old hardwood. The battle can be won, and has been won, in other locations through people-power and sheer determination.

The Hammock needs you now, more than ever. Come out and meet like-minded folks who want to help this natural area.

More than a ton of Air Potatos (Dioscorea bulbifera) were collected last by volunteers. The trees thank everyone who cared enough to come out and help. Thanks also to Art Finn (Parks Superintendant), Terry Powell (Nature Center Coordinator) and Alan Mayberry (City Arborist) for organizing the event. See photos here.

Butterfly Garden planned for Hammock Park

these are flowers that fly... Robert Frost

What began as a gleam in one Board member’s eye developed into a reality this year. After many months of deliberation, careful planning, generous contributions and fundraising, a Butterfly Garden is on schedule to grace Hammock Park.

Herb & Martha Donald along with Bob Young, spearheaded the early conception. Soon the Board was joined by new members and butterfly enthusiasts, James and Theresa Polgar. James & Theresa spent untold hours laying out plans, analyzing installment and future maintenance costs, and providing a time-line for construction to meet the demands of the Board for approval of the project. Generous financial contributions from Bob Young, Herb & Martha Donald, Herb’s brother Allan, and Pat Jennings — along with support and contributions from the Board — made it possible to begin work this year.

There will be a memorial area for those who wish to contribute to the garden. Details will be discussed at our Annual Meeting to learn more about this planned addition to "our" park. There will be a display and presentation of this beautiful and exciting project.

CLICK HERE for a list of butterflys found in the park.

2010 Proposed Slate of Officers and Directors

We welcome new “Friends” to help us carry out our mission of protection and preservation. Established in 1994, The Friends of the Hammock, Inc. is a grassroots organization whose goal is to educate the public and aid in the preservation and protection of this unique area for all succeeding generations. You are invited to attend our meetings on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Dunedin Nature Center, 1910 Eckert Dr., Dunedin.

You can obtain a membership form here and learn more about this stress releasing oasis among the urban sprawl of modern life here.

New Birds List Added to Wildlife Section of Web Site

We added a list of birds commonly (and rarely) found in Hammock Park at the request of a regular visitor to the park. Click here to go there. We hope this will help you when used in conjunction with a good bird guide. I highly recommend Florida's Birds - A Handbook and Reference by Herbert W Kale, II and David S. Maher. 1990, Pineapple Press, Inc.

City of Dunedin Proclaims January "Hammock Park Month"

Proclamation

WHEREAS: The Hammock Park is an ancient primeval forest in the midst of urban development and has been designated by The State of Florida as its very first Natural Feature; The City Fathers in their wisdom have chosen to protect, preserve and restore the habitat of Hammock Park; The City of Dunedin Commissioners with concern for the present and foresight for the future have authorized the purchase of the Harris Tract, now known as Harris Woods to expand and enhance The Hammock Park;
THEREFORE: In recognition of the efforts of the City to promote the environmental benefits of this unique green space for the benefit of entire community and to celebrate the opening of Harris Woods; The City of Dunedin Proclaims January 2009 as Hammock Park Month.

City Receives $40,000 Urban Forestry
Grant for the restoration of Hammock Park

The City’s Parks Division has been awarded a grant in the amount of $40,000 to restore historic Hammock Park. In 2006, Art Finn, Parks Superintendent applied for the U.S. Forest Service funded 2005 Emergency Hurricane Supplemental Urban and Community Forestry Grant and received notice later that year that the application was successful. State Senator Mike Fasano from District 11 was instrumental in the City’s initiative to obtain the grant. The funds will be used to remove exotic invasive vegetation from the park that colonized areas that were denuded when large trees toppled over from high winds generated during hurricanes Frances and Jean.

The restoration project will be completed in two phases. The first phase involves the removal of the invasive plants. The city has hired a contractor, Delta Seven, who specializes in exotic plant removal. The plant species being removed are plants recognized by the Stare of Florida’s Exotic Pest Plant Council as being harmful to natural environments. The second phase involves the planting back of native trees, shrubs and groundcover in the areas where the invasive plants were removed. The new plantings will be accomplished through volunteer groups such as the Boy Scouts of America.

Invasive and Exotic Species Removal Program

Dunedin cares about the Hammock! The restoration project with Delta Seven, Inc. to control invasive plants in the Park is continuing. Ryan Oliver, the biologist who spoke at our annual meeting last January, was kind enough to send us an Adobe PDF file explaining the process. It's very interesting. You can download or view it it here.

To view the many PDF files on this web site, you may need to download the free Adobe Reader.