Round Island Riverside Park features a 400’ footbridge great for wildlife viewing where Peli and her friends observed a tricolored Heron, Snowy Egret, and some Brown Pelicans. Crossing over the footbridge to a natural island, Peli and her friends followed the nature trail that led to a fishing pier and an observation tower. The tower was fun to climb and watch the birds flying overhead. When Peli and her friends returned they saw where to launch the kayaks from the parking lot. But first, they would enjoy a delicious picnic at the pavilion and then climb on the playground before unloading the kayaks and gear.
Peli was told that Round Island Riverside Park is a great place to view manatees enjoying the warm lagoon waters. Her friends said they have seen manatees there before. An in the fall and winter months, manatees may be present in the creek and can be spotted swimming under the bridge or in front of the boat ramps. A NOTE ABOUT MANATEES: It’s important to know that these wonderful creatures are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, making it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.