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Maintain a safe distance from alligators and other wildlife.
Named after a cattle ranch that once existed on this property, Circle B Bar Reserve. This property was purchased to protect the floodplain of Lake Hancock and to restore the Banana Creek marsh system. Much of property was converted to pasture, but remnant wetland communities can be found along Banana and Saddle creeks. Largest remnant natural communities are oak hammocks and various forested wetlands, primarily found in northeast corner of property.
Ongoing restoration projects for the Banana Creek marsh system, which runs through the center of the property, and for an area of scrub on the southern portion of the site will restore much of the original hydrologic function of the lands. The scrub restoration will benefit the numerous animals that utilize both wetlands and uplands during various phases of their life cycles.
While hiking the trails you may see a variety of birds, including bald eagles, wood storks, great blue herons and many other wading birds, as well as vistas across Lake Hancock and Banana Creek Marsh. Take a walk along the banks of Lake Hancock and you will see many alligators.
Polk's Nature Discovery Center opened November 1, 2008 and provides information and discovery opportunities about Polk County's unique water, wildlife and wilderness resources, as well as the associated cultural heritage and nature-based recreation opportunities on environmental lands in Polk County. The Nature Discovery Center has several amenities including picnic pavilions, wildlife observation viewing platforms, boardwalks and several multi-use trails.
The trails are open daily, year-round, from 6:00 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. Standard Time and from 5:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. during Daylight Savings Time. Dogs are not allowed in the preserve because of the number of alligators present. This area may become wet during the rainy season. Don't forget the insect repellent and water. Be careful and enjoy the area. Be advised that there are always risks associated with visiting nature preserves.
This is a Letterbox Hybrid cache. For anyone not familiar with Letterboxing there is a log in the cache for you to sign and stamp (with your stamp), then you stamp your own log or paper (with stamp that is in the cache). If you do not have your own stamp, then stickers or hand drawn artwork is acceptable or if you do not have your own stamp, you can just sign the log. DO NOT TAKE STAMP WITH YOU; IT IS NOT A TRADE ITEM!!!
This geocache is a part of the Trek Ten Trails 2019-2020 program. Participation in that program, while a lot of fun, is not required to log this cache here.
New validation game cards, which participants stamp are available at various locations and are listed on the Friends of the Parks website and OUTPOST 27 CACHE. Trek Ten Trails 2019-2020 program maps, game cards and other information about each of the featured nature trails may be downloaded from the Friends of the Parks website. Check out our Profile for more details.
