A 1,600 Acre Park Made Up Of Four Islands That Is Home To A Wide Range Of Florida Wildlife
Vacationers looking for an escape often find themselves at Lovers Key State Park, a natural beach in southwest Florida. Away from the hubbub of resorts that are commonplace in the area, Lovers Key is a way for the quieter crowd to enjoy a relaxing day on the beach or enjoy nature on a secluded island.
The 1,600 acre park is made up of four islands: Lovers Key, Inner Key, Long Key and the main island Black Island, which is home to the ranger station and parking areas. Once only accessible by boat, the islands are now connected by bridges, built in the mid-1960s. Even with the addition of these bridges, the islands luckily maintain their solitary nature. In fact, Long Key is a completely natural island that the park is planning to “return to the wild,” said Park Services Specialist Robert Hughes.
There is still plenty of wildlife to see on the more accessible Black Island, which is home to over five miles of hiking and biking trails that meander along the gulf. Known as a haven for wildlife, the islands and their waters are home to manatees, bottlenose dolphins and many species of birds. Hughes has even seen alligators.
“The trails are my favorite spots in the park,” he went on. “There are a lot of trees out there and a lot of wildlife opportunities. It's really peaceful out there. You feel like you're really out in the wilderness, away from southwest Florida.”
While the wildlife and trails are a definite draw of the park, the beautiful 2.5-mile beach on Lovers Key is the main attraction, admits Hughes. The beach, which is on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, was selected as the fourth best beach in Florida by the Travel Channel.
“A lot of beaches in this area have condos, houses and beach resorts, built right next to the beach,” he explained. “This park only has two structures on the entire beach including a gazebo and restroom area. My idea of a beach isn't to see million-dollar condos and hotels right behind me. Many visitors I've spoken to have felt the same way. It's a lot more quiet out here, it's not rowdy.”
And with no alcohol allowed on the beach and no resorts in site, large drunken gatherings are not the norm. Instead, the beach offers a relaxing spot for families and an older crowd, looking to sunbathe on the sand or walk along the water's edge.
But just because Lovers Key isn't full of late-night parties doesn't mean it's boring. It's far from it. Aside from walking and biking in the nature trails, visitors can rent kayaks and paddleboards and go on kayaking tours, where many birds and sea animals can be spotted while paddling through the 2.5-mile mangrove protected estuary. Anglers and boaters also take advantage of the park's boat ramp. Castnetting for mullet in the bay is a popular activity. There's also a playground and picnic area.
Hughes has worked at Lovers Key State Park for 11 years now. It's completely different from his previous job working inventory control at a plumbing supply company.
“I didn't like that job at all,” he recalled. “I finally said to myself, 'What do I really want to do?' I decided I wanted to be a park ranger.”
After deciding to pursue is dream job, Hughes went right to Lovers Key, the park he most frequently visited. He knew it was the park he always wanted to work for, the only park he was interested in.
“Being a park ranger is not a job that makes a lot of money,” he admitted. “At first I was going after jobs where I made more money. But this is what I really want to do. I love the outdoors. I haven't looked back. I love it.”
And Hughes believes that others will feel the same way. Calling Lovers Key State Park a “rare gem” on southwest Florida's coastline, Hughes said that this one-of-a-kind beach is a destination worth marking on the map for any traveler. More than just a beach, Lovers Key State Park is a quiet and tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of tourists and city life in the area. It's a way for families and vacationers to relax, while experiencing all that Florida's wildlife has to offer.
Olivia Richman
A graduate of East Connecticut State University in Journalism, Olivia has written for Stonebridge Press & Antiques Marketplace among others. She enjoys writing, running and video games.
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