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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.”

    — Rachel Carson  (1907-1964)

Plan to Attend the Annual Meeting

The seventeenth annual meeting of Friends of the Hammock will be held at the Dunedin Community Center (Elliott Room) on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.

Guest speaker Dr. Craig Huegel will present a picture program describing the ecology of hammocks, and the special characteristics of Dunedin Hammock itself. He will also focus on the long-term management challenges inherent in protecting these plant communities in an urban setting.

Dr. Huegel’s annual visits to the Hammock for 20 years have given him direct knowledge about the park and insight into the changes that have occurred. He has degrees in Zoology, Wildlife Ecology and Animal Ecology and is the author of numerous books and publications on native plants, wildlife and butterfly gardening. As a naturalist he has extensive experience in wildlife and plant ecology and wild lands management. He is a founding member of the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and for many years was the manager of Brooker Creek Preserve. He received the 2011 Florida Habitat Steward award from the Florida Wildlife Federation.

"GO NATIVE" Plant Sale a Success!

The Friends of the Hammock of Dunedin native plant sale on Saturday, October 1 attracts crowd of enthusiastic gardeners.

Ready to Join the Friends of the Hamock?

Download membership form: click here »

The 16th Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Hammock

Don Stillwaugh, a current officer of the Gopher Tortoise Council, and past field technician for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Comission shared a presentation with vast amounts of information on the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus).

Air Potato Removal at Hammock Park

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. Become a menber today!

Visit the Hammock Park Butterfly Garden The newest attraction at Hammock Park is a lovely butterfly garden — an ideal spot to watch natural beauty take flight. The new garden, created for the enjoyment of the entire community, features 11 beds with 225 plants in 40 varieties. Crushed shell pathways lead visitors through a flowering display of butterfly favorites. Tucked away on a quiet side street, local gem Hammock Park is home to more than 35 species of butterflies.

Located next to historic Andrews Memorial Chapel in Hammock Park, 1900 San Mateo Dr. in Dunedin, the garden is easily accessible from Clearwater by traveling north on Alt. 19, turning right on Mira Vista Drive, and left on San Mateo Drive.

Butterfly Garden receives multiple certificates

We have received certificates from the

• North American Butterfly Association
• Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.
• National Wildlife Association.
  
  

See the Butterfly Garden page for more...

The 15th Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Hammock

On January 28, Jim McGinity, biologist and environmental educator gave a wonderful presentation of “A Bird's Eye View of the Hammock Park.”

He talked about the different ecosystems found in the park and the connection between native plants, healthy habitats and vibrant bird populations. Also, he shared with us with a few suggestions of how each one of us can help birds in the park and our own yards. Quotes from W.S. Blatchley's “My Nature Nook” (a book written in turn-of-the-century Dunedin) helped capture the moment.

If you would like to re-visit the PowerPoint presentation, or view it for the first time, click here ». There is no audio, however many of his photographs of birds in the Hammock are enjoyable to look at.

There is a list of birds seen in the Hammock on our site. click here »
We hope this will help you when used in conjunction with a good bird guide. I We highly recommend Florida's Birds — A Handbook and Reference by Herbert W Kale, II and David S. Maher. 1990, Pineapple Press, Inc.

Join the Friends of the Hammock

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.

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.