Amenities

Trails, canoe/kayak launch, picnic shelter, park benches, limited parking, no restrooms. Leashed dogs are ONLY allowed on the Albee Farm Road parcel.

Curry Creek Preserve has a second entrance off Pinebrook Rd, just south of Edmondson Rd.

Experiences

Curry Creek is one of the few remaining coastal creeks in southwest Florida. While walking along the preserve’s trails, you will see a variety of native habitats including mangrove forests, tidal marshes, scrub and pine flatwoods. Pond apple trees, a rarity in Sarasota County, are found in forested areas upstream along the creek. The preserve abounds with wildlife – gopher tortoises, alligators, river otters, eastern indigo snakes and a variety of wading birds like the roseate spoonbill and wood stork.

Most of the trails are primitive and rated easy. The trails are unpaved but accessible for most visitors. Water, sun block, insect repellant, a rain jacket and sturdy shoes are recommended for hiking. Some trails may be flooded during the summer months and after extended periods of heavy rainfall.

History

This 80 acre preserve, purchased in 2002 through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program, is named after the Curry Family, early pioneers who settled the area. In addition to the natural areas protected within the preserve, Sarasota County Public Works maintains a 19 acre tidal marsh and tidal swamp restoration site just north of the creek.

Habitats

Mangrove forests, tidal marshes, longleaf pine, scrub and pine flatwoods

Acreage

80 acres

Watershed

Dona/Roberts Bay

Who Owns and Maintains

Owned and maintained by Sarasota County

Website

www.scgov.net

SCAT Bus stop and route

Bus stop and route: Route 24 on Albee Farm Rd.