Watson Realty Corp Palm Coast Real Estate servicing Palm Coast, Flagler County and surrounding areas in Florida

Area Attractions

The State of Florida has recognized Flagler County for its environmental protection and its vast public parks and recreation systems. In 1994 Flagler County received the Florida Greenways Award for its 19-mile Coastal Greenway. The County also received the States first Preservation 2000 Grant to local governments to purchase the Princess Place Preserve, a 1500-acre natural resource and heritage park. The Princess Estate Lodge located on the property is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, one of 23 in the United States. Flagler`s diverse habitat and location on bird migration routes results in its 470 verified species of birds.

Bird watching enthusiasts come from all over America to enjoy the sights and sounds of Flagler`s grand collection of birds. Flagler County has several parks that are listed as part of the Great Florida Birding Trail the Princess Place Preserve, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and Haw Creek Preserve at Russell Landing. For more information on birding in Flagler and other Florida areas, visit www.floridabirdingtrail.com

Do you prefer freshwater or saltwater fishing? Look no further than Flagler County with lakes, canals, the Intercoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean. The freshwater fisherman can bag their limit of bass, crappie, bream, and catfish. The saltwater catch could bring a wide variety including trout, sheephead, snook, and many more.

The youngsters can also find something to do here, a skate board park at Wadsworth Park and surfing classes at the beach promise a fun Flagler experience for all ages. Residents and visitors enjoy Flagler`s beautiful state, county and city park system which offers a variety of recreation activities and facilities. The sky is the limit here in Flagler with recreational activities for the whole family. So take a break and enjoy all Flagler has to offer.

Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park Once a prosperous sugar cane plantation, the park features the scattered ruins of a coquina sugar mill. During the plantation`s heyday John James Audubon visited the plantation using local specimens for his seminal work, Birds of America. Today, a scenic walking trail leads visitors to the ruins of the sugar mill where an interpretive center tells of the plantation`s history. A picnic area is located in a shady area overlooking Bulow Creek, an outstanding natural canoe trail. Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park (386) 517-2084

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area Extending across a barrier island, the park is located three miles south of Flagler Beach. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area, located along the Great Florida Birding Trail, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway on the west. This 145-acre park offers a nature trail through a coastal scrub community, surf fishing, a boat ramp, picnic area and a family camping area located near the beach, close enough for an excellent view of the Atlantic Ocean. Dune walkovers provide easy access to the swimming area while protecting the fragile dune system. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area (386) 517-2086

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Located on the barrier island south of Marineland, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park consists of the 389-acres of coastal scenery extending from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Atlantic Ocean. A portion of the hammock contains the formal gardens where many species of exotic plants from around the world are displayed along footpaths and reflecting pools. A scenic, self-guided trail leads visitors along the marsh between the interpretive center and a picnic area. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park (386) 446-6780.

A1A Scenic Highway Nineteen miles of off-street bicycling or hiking are available along this stretch of A1A. Riding through areas of unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean, an oak hammock, and Marineland will prove to be a breathtaking adventure.

Princess Place Preserve A unique historical and environmental treasure, featuring the oldest standing home site in Flagler County and the first in-ground pool in Florida. The Princess Place Preserve was once occupied by a Russian Prince and his wife, the lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail-East Florida Section. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve Corridor On the north end of the Coastal Greenway (a continuous 20 mile, 33,000 acre corridor of public lands and waterways) is the Pellicer Creek Corridor which itself consists of over 7,100 acres of upland, waterway and marsh. Pellicer Creek, designated as an Outstanding Florida Water, a State Canoe Trail, and a State Aquatic Preserve, links Faver-Dykes State Park (in St. Johns County) and the Princess Place Preserve. St. Johns River Water Management District (Division of Land Management) (386) 329-4883.

Marineland of Florida The World`s First Oceanarium where species of marine life exist together in a natural/man-made environment. Marineland boasts a renowned research laboratory, a motion picture studio, and an aquatic area for performing dolphins. (904) 460-1275.

River to Sea Preserve at Marineland Ninety acres located near Marineland, the County`s northeast border including coastal areas. There is one mile of public beach, and a series of trails that wind through a maritime hammock forest. The park is located next to Marineland, the world`s first oceanarium, and is open to the public from Wednesday through Sunday. GTMNERR (904) 461-4054.

Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve Located on Flagler County`s northern border, the estuary is the very last on the east coast of Florida that still has a naturally occurring inlet, spared from the dredging and diking that has commonly occurred elsewhere on Florida`s coast. Estuaries are one of the most biologically productive systems on earth.The Matanzas River Estuary has been nominated the 25th National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in the United States. The NERR program promotes scientific research and public education dealing with estuarine habitats and the creatures that live there. GTMNERR (904) 461-4054

Longs Creek Conservation Area Longs Creek, a brackish tidal creek on the west of the Intracoastal Waterway, is ideal for canoeing. The 100-acre area consists of salt marsh and is accessible only by boat. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Bings Landing County Park Located in the oak hammock on the Intracoastal Waterway, Bings Landing offers a boat launch and picnic facilities as well as fishing docks. This seven-acre park was once part of General Joseph Hernandez`s Mala Compra Plantation where he cultivated sea island cotton and sweet oranges. The plantation was burned by the Seminole Indians in 1836 and General Hernandez obtained partial compensation from the U.S. Congress for his losses. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Malacompra Road Beach Park Malacompra Road Beach Park overlooks the longest (on the Florida East Coast) exposed outcropping of coquina rock, monuments to the spectacular sculpting created by the rising sea five thousand years ago, Malacompra Road Beach park is a beach access oak hammock area of some 70 acres. . The Park offers a dune walkover, restrooms, outdoor shower, and a hiking trail. At the Hammock Community Center, near the beach, are playground equipment, ball fields, volleyball court, a picnic shelter and an outdoor grill. Located on both sides of Malacompra Road, east of Hwy. A1A, in the Hammock. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Old Salt Road Beach Park Old Salt Road Beach Park is a beach front park, which also provides access to the coquina rock formations on the coast. The park is named for the Confederate Army`s use of the site to obtain sea salt to cure and preserve meat to feed the troops. Located at the end of 16th Road off A1A in the Hammock. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Jungle Hut Road Park Located east of A1A, the first right turn north of the Hammock Dunes Bridge in Palm Coast, look for ruby-throated hummingbirds during the summer and gannets during the winter. Take the dune walkover to find shorebirds, gulls, and pelicans. This two acre site offers rest rooms, and dune walkovers. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Varn Park Great for shorebird observation and line birds, from here to Matanzas Inlet watch wires for scrub jay. This 6-acre site on the East Side of A1A, south of Mariner`s Drive in the Hammock, offers rest rooms, an outdoor shower, and dune walkovers. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Herschel King Sr. Park Locate northwest of the Intracoastal on Colbert Lane, this 20 acre park includes a boat ramp, picnic pavilion and fishing pier. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Graham`s Swamp Conservation Area This 4,500 acre hardwood swamp stretches seven miles and connects with Bulow Creek. This wetland system is one of the last remaining major coastal hardwood swamp ecosystems in Florida. Two miles of hiking and bicycling trails are available on the eastern edge of the conservation area. The Conservation Area also offers bird watching, nature study, bank fishing and camping opportunities. St. Johns River Water Management District (386) 329-4404 or (386) 329-4883.

Flagler Beach Municipal Pier Originally constructed in 1925, the pier is one of the area`s most popular fishing spots. Open 24 hours a day, year round, the pier is great for fishing and bird watching. Look for gannets offshore in the early part of the year, shorebirds all the time. City of Flagler Beach (386) 517-2000.

Moody Landing/Flagship Harbor Preserve Just south of the Flagler Beach Bridge, Moody Landing offers a public boat launch, and boardwalks overlooking the salt-water marsh. Adjacent to Moody Landing is the Flagship Harbor Preserve. This 341 acre environmental preserve provides walking trails, picnic areas, education/picnic pavilion, boardwalks, and observation platforms overlooking the salt water marsh and the Intracoastal Waterway. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Wadsworth Park This 35 acre park offers a skateboard park, three tennis courts, four racquetball courts, two basketball courts, a volleyball court, horseshoe area, two picnic pavilions, grills, playground equipment, softball field, baseball field, two soccer fields, a hiking trail and boardwalk. For the bird watching enthusiast, look for green herons along the boardwalk, warblers in the trees, and harrier over the wetlands. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Flagler Auditorium Flagler County`s premier performing arts center includes a main theatre, a black box theater and band/choral rooms. The complex hosts high school studies as well as a multitude of performing art events. (386) 437-7547.

Flagler County Recreation Area and Fairgrounds On the north side of County Road 13 and a half mile west of U.S. 1, the recreation area boasts baseball and softball fields, a barbecue area, pavilion, horse arena with seating, and livestock buildings. (386) 437-7464.

Haw Creek Preserve at Russell Landing Located south of CR2006 between Dead Lake & County Road 305, this 1,015-acre site includes the Pellicer Community Center and Russell Landing, providing a boat ramp, nature study, nature trails and a unique boardwalk for viewing the canopy in this bottomland hardwood forest. Open sunrise to sunset. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.

Relay Wildlife Management Area Located south central in the County, south of County Road 304 between U.S. 1 and State Road 11, this 25,563 acre area offers hunting and primitive campsites. (Private Lands) Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (352) 732-1225.

Lake Disston Boat Launch South of C.R. 2005 and east of Lake Disston, the largest lake in Flagler County, is surrounded by cypress trees. Flagler County Parks & Recreation (386) 437-7490.