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Clearwater Closes Moccasin Lake for Upgrades

Moccasin Lake Environmental Center | Clearwater | Things to Do

Moccasin Lake will close to the public on Thursday and reopen in August.

CLEARWATER – Moccasin Lake Environmental Education Center is a 51-acre park in the middle of Clearwater featuring trails and boardwalks surrounded by nature and wildlife.

Moccasin Lake’s trails and boardwalks are shaded by a canopy of mature oaks and cross ponds and creeks. The park has an array of wildlife including gopher turtles, raccoons, and many birds. It is home to several injured birds of prey. The park offers classes, programs, camps and meeting/reception rentals with both indoor and outdoor meeting space.

To keep the park bright and beautiful for visitors, city officials said they are making some much needed improvements and upgrades. To do this, Moccasin Lake will close to the public Thursday (March 15) and reopen in August. The total cost of the project is $935,000, of which $200,000 is paid for through a matching grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Renovations will include a complete remodel of the interior spaces of the interpretive center including air conditioning for the entire building, upgraded space for the birds of prey volunteers, and public restrooms. New static displays and live animals will be on display once completed.

Other work will include installation of a new playground, new restrooms moved from a composting system to modern plumbing, new parking lot, remodeling existing classroom to a state-of-the-art classroom, landscaping and trail improvements, a new pier and trail bridge.

“Moccasin Lake Nature Park is a sparkling jewel within the city of Clearwater’s park system. These critical improvements will completely enhance the visitor experience, providing a place of respite, education and green space for all ages of the community,” Clearwater Parks and Recreation Specialist Natalie Lamb said. “The renovations, in a nontraditional sense, provide a one-of-a-kind meeting space for activities like weddings, corporate team building and community events. We cannot wait to reintroduce Moccasin Lake Nature Park to the community.”

To view the Moccasin Lake master plan, go to myclearwaterparks.com.

Photo courtesy of the city of Clearwater.

Clearwater | Moccasin Lake | Moccasin Lake Environmental Center | Recreation | Things to Do | Tampabay News

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