About Clearwater FL
Clearwater is a city in the state of Florida, which also serves as the county seat for the Pinellas County. Clearwater is as well one of the 3 principal cities in the Tampa - St. Petersburg – Clearwater Metropolitan region. The future site of this Florida city was once inhabited by the Tocobaga Amerindian tribe. In the mid 19th century, the US Army built Fort Harrison as an outpost during the Seminole Wars. This fort was situated on a bluff that overlooked the Clearwater Harbor. The region’s population grew after the passage of the Federal Armed Occupation Act of the year 1842, which provides 160 acres of land to settlers who were willing to bear arms and cultivate the land.
The name ‘Clearwater’ is believed to reference a fresh water spring that was located in close proximity to the present day City Hall. There are also numerous other fresh water springs that dot the bluff. The city of Clearwater was previously part of the Hillsborough County, and the very first road connecting Tampa and Clearwater was constructed in the year 1849. This road immensely minimized the commute between these two cities. The town of Clearwater experienced a lot of growth in the late 19th century after the construction of the very 1st passenger railroad into the city in the year 1888. The region gained popularity as a holiday destination when Henry Plant constructed a Victorian resort hotel in the southern direction of Clearwater. The city of Clearwater was officially incorporated as a city in the year 1915, and was chosen to be the county seat for the Pinellas County in the year 1912.
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The city of Clearwater is widely acclaimed for hosting a wide variety of exciting annual festivals and events. Some of the most prominent of which include the Imagine International Film Festival, the Sugar Sand Festival. The Clearwater Celebrates America, the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, the Clearwater Greek Festival, the Hispanic Heritage Festival, the Turkey Trot. The Superboat International Championship, the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship, the Fun N Sun Festival to name just but a few.
The city of Clearwater also boasts of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium that was first opened in 1972. This city of Clearwater aquarium is popular for Winter, one of its resident dolphins. Winter was rescued as a calf in 2005, and has the distinction of being one of the very first dolphins to be fitted with prosthetic tails. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is as well home to otters, nurse sharks, pelicans, turtles and many other species of fish and marine creatures. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium also helps in animal stranding along with other sea life emergencies. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has also been featured as the major setting for the popular film series ‘Dolphin Tale.’ The city of Clearwater is as well home to the Moccasin Lake Nature Park, which is owned and run by the city. The Moccasin Lake Nature Park comes complete with the Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center that provides environmental education classes, programs and camps. The Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center is also home to rehabilitated birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians and other marine wildlife.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is primarily devoted the rescue sick and injured marine animals. The moment these creatures are treated and rehabilitated, they are then released into the wild. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium also focuses on public education, research, and animal assisted human therapy. This city of Clearwater attraction is housed in a former water treatment facility. It was first opened to the general public in 1972, and was the site for the popular movie ‘Dolphin Tale,’ in which 2 of its resident dolphins starred. Both of these dolphins are still living here, and can be observed by visitors as they swim in their big pool. Other marine animals that have being rescued by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium include pelicans, otters, sharks, turtles, sting rays to mention just but a few. Visitors can get up close encounters with all these animals including feeding them and discovering more on their fascinating stories.
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Moccasin Lake Nature Park is a hidden gem situated at the center of the city of Clearwater. As such, it is a tranquil area where families can spend a day in nature. Visitors to the Moccasin Lake Nature Park can get to stroll along shady, serene oak trees lined trails, participate in educational hiking tours and observe nature exhibits. The park spans more than 50 acres of forests, which are crammed with wildlife including birds of prey, peacocks, turtles, bald eagles and even butterflies. The Moccasin Lake Nature Park comes complete with a 1 ½ miles of boardwalk trail that traverse beneath the forest canopy, cross over streams and meander by lush ferns. The Cypress Trail in particular enables visitors to walk to a bluff overlooking a sizeable lake. While the Brigham Dock can be the perfect spot to observe wading birds. The Moccasin Lake Nature Park also offers diverse exciting activities for children including visiting a butterfly garden or checking out a water tower and an aviary.
Cliff Stephens Park
The Cliff Stephens Park is a critical part of the southwest Florida water management district, and offers storm water management and flood protection for the city of Clearwater and its surroundings. Essentially, this is a 44 acre green oasis that features several paved trails for hiking, biking and inland skating. The Cliff Stephens Park is also home to a Frisbee golf, an exercise course and several picnic tables and grills that are dotted along the walkway. There are also a grand total of 4 docks surrounding the reservoir together with a boat launch in the southeastern region of the park. Visitors to the Cliff Stephens Park can as well get fishing opportunities along the Alligator Creek or any of the 4 docks.
Philippe Park
Philippe Park has the distinction of been the oldest park in the entire Pinellas County. It comes complete with big shade trees, hiking trails and a 1 mile long path along the shoreline. Philippe Park also provides scenic views of the Old Tampa Bay. It can be the ideal spot for picnicking, fishing, rock climbing, playing softball and even boating. It also has 2 playgrounds for children and a boat ramp, which offers access to Tampa Bay. Philippe Park as well boasts of a grand total of 8 picnic zones with grills. One of its most popular historic attractions is Temple Mound from the Amerindian Tocobaga tribe. Temple Mound was created with layers of sand and shells, and is thought to have being either a chief’s residence or a structure for religious ceremonies. The Temple Mound is now listed as a National Historic Landmark.
Pier 60
Pier 60 is without doubt one of the trendiest tourist destinations in the Tampa Bay area. It is a 1080 long fishing pier and recreational park that comes complete with a fully stocked bait house, 6 enclosed pavilions and telescopes. The bait house in particular offers fishing tackle and bait, souvenirs, t-shirts, drinks and snacks. Some of the fish you can be able to catch at Pier 60 include snook, trout, Spanish mackerel, redfish, sheepshead, flounders to name just but a few. Pier 60 also boasts of one the biggest beach playgrounds in the Gulf of Mexico region.
Sand Key Park
Sand Key Park is a beach and park. The park area comes with 2 picnic zones, which feature shades, grills, picnic tables, water fountains, a restroom and a children’s playground. Another popular spot in Sand Key Park is a salt marsh that features benches where visitors can sit down and observe herons, anhingas, roseate, spoonbills, great horned owls and moorhen as they nest and feed. The beach on the other hand is famous for its sea turtles nests. The Sand Key Park is as well the base for a project to build a manmade reef.