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Joined 10 years ago

With its white, sandy beaches, open meadows, salt marsh and mangroves, someone's always having a great day.. The Park
Florida is a flowering paradise. Our year-round growing season means there's always something in bloom. So feel free to catch spring fever in September. Chances are good you'll find wildflowers on every hike in any season. If it's warm, you can double your pleasure with a swim on the beach. (Do bright bikinis count as wildflowers?)

The Draw
You'll not find a more dog-friendly spot in all the bay area. Here's the secret ... FREE bones. Pooches of all breeds gather at the dog beach for a swim, to chase birds or just to dig for a spell. What canine wouldn't enjoy a roll in the sand? The north end of the island boasts miles of open hiking trails through osprey country. Watch especially for prickly pear cacti; their fragrant blooms attract nectar-drunk bees in summer ... what bliss. Look closely to find blooming sea purslane and seaside goldenrod. And, ouch, look out for Spanish bayonet. Miniature mangroves bloom at water's edge.