The Naples Preserve

It is so nice to see Naples reopened. The last time I was here the preserve was closed. This is a great little natural area along with the Hedges Family Eco Center. The preserve is made of of a nine and a half acre pine flatwood and rosemary scrub oak community that is one of the oldest ecological communities in Florida. It was established in the Pleistocene era 10,000 years ago on sand ridges which were deposited originally as coastal dunes. This high and dry land is ideal for building on so that why there is so little of it left today. The land for this preserve was saved by the Naples community. In February 2000, a nine million dollar bond referendum was passed that allowed for the purchase of the preserve land. Volunteers then spend hundreds of hours removing exotic plants and trash.nnWinding through the preserve is a .4 mile long elevated boardwalk. Along the way there are lookouts and benches built into the boardwalk. As soon as I started my walk I spotted a federally endangered gopher tortoise. The Preserve offers a great opportunity to see gopher tortoises in their natural habitat. You can also view native wildflowers, trees, birds, butterflies, snakes, and rabbits. August and September are actually the peak months for viewing wildflowers and butterflies and I saw an abundance of both. I especially loved the purple Chapman's Gayfeather.nnThe Hedges Family Eco Center was closed during my visit but when it is open volunteers can answer questions about sightseeing around Naples and offer brochures and maps. There are books available in the resource library and the public can attend scheduled environmental programs. In front of the center is a promise globe where you can leave your pledge to protect the earth.nnThe Naples preserve is free to visit and there is a parking lot. It is open daily from dawn to dusk. While it doesn't take long to visit, the walk is beautiful. There is even a fountain to fill up your reusable water bottle. Discovering beautiful places like this is why exploring Naples is so much fun.

Nice little park right on US 41. It's a Gopher Tortoise ud83dudc22 refuge. No entrance fee. The walking trail is a boardwalk so easily accessable for all.

Fun little walk...I saw 7 tortoises.

The road to the preserve is beautifully landscaped.nBut at the end it is a gated community.

This place is a short walk but very beautiful. Iam surprised to find little hidden gems like this in the city. You are 100% bound to see tortoises here its adorable! I love the boardwalk style of it. If you like nature take a trip here! I love water features lakes/rivers but unfortunately this place dosent have any at all. tortoises can drown but I think they can enclose it?