Moccasin Lake Nature Park Renovations To Be Unveiled Feb. 2

CLEARWATER, FL -- The community is invited to experience the newly renovated Moccasin Lake Nature Park during a grand re-opening celebration Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 51-acre park featuring trails and boardwalks surrounded by nature is located in the middle of Clearwater at 2750 Park Trail Lane. It has been undergoing a $1 million renovation over the past several months.

“It truly has been transformed into the perfect place to retreat,” said Natalie Lamb, volunteer and environmental lands coordinator for the City of Clearwater. “There are little surprises around every corner.”

The celebration will include food trucks, vendors and booths manned by various nonprofit organizations (see related story).

Changes to the park include a renovated interpretive center, educational toys, a new playground, an amphitheater, butterfly garden, turtle pond, a trail system and birds of prey exhibit.

“You can visit the amphitheater for animal encounters and concerts or take some time and explore nature along the winding trails,” Lamb said. “There are some educational materials and exhibits in the interpretive center, along with new Moccasin Lake Nature Park merchandise.”

The renovated nature park and classroom will be available for hosting team-building and community events, private parties and weddings.

“Our hope is that we have created the perfect place for people to connect with nature, with their community, and with themselves,” Lamb said. “It’s a chance to leave it all behind and just come and relax and rejuvenate.”

The park also will offer educational programming free to the public including presentations from famous birders and photographers and discussions on transforming back yards into a bird-friendly habitat or creating a butterfly garden.

“There will be a treasure trove of environmental and community building opportunities,” Lamb said.

The City of Clearwater Parks & Recreation Department is in need of volunteers for the grand re-opening,

Volunteer opportunities:
• Parking and directions (four volunteers per shift) | 8-11 a.m., 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 1-3 p.m.­
• Vendor setup (four volunteers) | 8-10 a.m. (loading/setting up tables etc.)
• Vendor break down (four volunteers) | 3-4:30 p.m. (breaking down tables/loading back up)

If you are able to help, email your name (first and last), the shift and job you want to volunteer for and your T-shirt size to Valerie Christou at Valerie.christou@myclearwater.com.

Volunteers will be given a complimentary T-shirt for their time.

For more information on the park, including rental information, visit https://www.myclearwaterparks.

Image via Friends of Moccasin Lake Park

A scarlett skimmer hovers about a pond at the park.

Clearwater is celebrating the completion of renovations at Moccasin Lake Nature Park.

Residents of the park include Gonzo and Lulu, great horned owls.

A butterfly garden is among the additions to the renovated park.

The park is home to a number of gopher tortoises.

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