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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.
“Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” |
Joint Work Day with Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society Very SuccessfulAbout 20 people showed up at the City of Dunedin’s Hammock Park on March 17th for an invasive plant removal workday.Frank Brandt, member of both Pinellas FNPS and Friends of the Hammock, was resplendent in a green, shamrock-bedecked bowtie in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day. He kicked off the festivities with a show-and-tell, displaying a rogue’s gallery of invasive species that can be found in Hammock Park, comparing cuttings to demonstrate differences between the invasives and similar native plants also found there. Assisting were Friends of the Hammock president Jim Polgar, and Art Finn, Arborist for the City of Dunedin. Armed with information, work gloves and plastic bags, volunteers immediately attacked the Boston Ferns that infested the woods along Cline Trail. Fortunately, the recent dry weather and loose sandy soil made this a fairly easy job, and the pleasant spring weather and the shade of the hardwood hammock kept the workers cool and lively. A special treat was the discovery of Jack-in-the-pulpit plants, several still in bloom. Moving through the understory, volunteers filled bag after bag with ferns and the occasional air potato tuber. They then moved on to a nearby pond area and began harvesting wild taro, an emergent aquatic plant. When the three-hour work session was done, it was reported that 150 bags had been filled, a remarkable achievement! However, much remains to be accomplished in the area of invasive species removal in the Hammock. Wild orange trees and Senegal date palms are prevalent, and their removal will require heavy equipment, not just energetic volunteers. Thanks to everyone who attended this successful event. To learn more about the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, click here »
Ready to Join the Friends of the Hamock?Download membership form: click here »Air Potato Removal at Hammock ParkIntroduced 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. Become a menber today!
Butterfly Garden receives multiple certificatesWe have received certificates from the
See the Butterfly Garden page for more... Join the Friends of the HammockWe 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. 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; Invasive and Exotic Species Removal ProgramDunedin 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 in 2009, 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.
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