The Celery Fields
Did you know that Sarasota has its own hill? It is man-made, but nonetheless it is a 75-foot great observation.
As history tells, once upon a time, there was a lake. Mammoths and mastodons used to roam the area. Times changed, and earliest Native Americans settled down there. The lake naturally filled creating a large sawgrass wetland system.
Then the land was drained in the late 1880s and early 1900s for agriculture. In 1920s, the fields were used for growing celery crop by Fancee Farms. That’s how the name became known as Celery Fields.
In 1994, Sarasota County purchased this over 300-acre land after record-setting rains, “so the land could once again perform its natural flood storage function and to prevent downstream flooding along Phillip Creek. During construction, well-preserved prehistoric animal bones, such as teeth from mammoths, mastodons and sharks were recovered.”
After the water returned, the wildlife came back. “210 species of birds have been identified in the Celery Fields.” It became a great spot for bird watching, walking, running, biking, kite flying, and even horseback riding. On the side of the park there is 75-foot observation man-made hill with benches on the top, where you can see some of Sarasota, and swooping swallows in springtime.
In a few years, The Celery Fields will be established as major hot spot for birdwatching. Already, people from around the various states come to see this nature’s beauty. The Park is dog-friendly and a great fun for the whole family.
Address:
100 Coburn Rd,
Sarasota, FL 34240
941-861-5000
For more information, you can see these Sarasota Audubon Society’s link: