Squirrel

Woah! We jumped back as a chunky grey blur rushed past us on the boardwalk handrail. It leaped onto a nearby tree trunk. The squirrel stopped and turned around chattering its teeth in a warning to us, its fluffy tail shaking with each sound. “Get out of my swamp”, it seemed to be shouting- or maybe “Don’t take my picture!”

We weaved our way to safely avoid the squirrel when a second ran across the railings and then a third!

“There’s a lot of squirrels here,” I told my daughter as we wound our way along the wooden trails beside the Pithlachascotee River at James E. Grey Preserve in New Port Richey.

James E. Grey Preserve

An 80-acre nature preserve nestled along the Pithlachascotee River, also called ‘the Cotee’, the James E. Grey Preserve is located in the heart of Pasco County’s New Port Richey on Florida’s Nature Coast. On the map, this city park is surrounded by neighborhoods, yet only 10 miles away from Tarpon Springs, but in person, the upland scrubs, sandhills, and swamps seem like a world away.

The Preserve came to be as a community project. Originally intended for development like the surrounding communities, locals joined forces to create a haven for enjoyment of this unique natural setting along the Cotee River.

Hiking the Grey Preserve Trail 

From the gravel parking lot, the Grey Preserve trailhead is located past the toilets, a picnic pavilion, and a playground. Follow the trail to the right to circumvent the fishing pond. A sandy path flanked by palmettoes leads the way toward the water. It circles a little cove.

Fishing and reflection areas framed by palm fronds make this a scenic stroll. Pause to rest on the bench by the water to watch the wading birds and ponder how this slice of paradise could exist so close to the surrounding communities.

The ¾ mile trail crosses over water with the first boardwalk, a weaving journey along the muddy marsh and this is where the environment turns from sandy earth to muddier turf as the Pithlachascotee sidles up to the parklands. From here cross the boardwalk with an observation deck over the river.

 The Cotee River in James E. Grey Preserve

The Pithlachascotee River is a 20-mile+ waterway beginning in Crews Lake and traveling through Starkey Wilderness Park, James E. Grey Preserve, and several urban areas of New Port Richey until it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. A tidally influenced river, it is a brackish mix of salt and fresh water. 

A 6-mile Florida Paddle Trail on the Pithlachascotee begins at James E. Grey Preserve and ends at Nick’s Park at 7926 Bayview St, Port Richey, FL 34668 (by US 19). The portion of the paddle trail through the preserve is considered to be the most scenic and wild of the journey.

Fishing Pier & Observation Deck 

The small fishing pier and observation deck stretch out over the blackwater river, lined by palmettoes and sawgrass. Towering palms rise in distance across the water. There are places to fish, watch the wildlife, and sit on the covered deck. Here visitors may spot some of the 150 birds that inhabit the Preserve, one of the places along the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Boardwalks over the Swamp

Eco-friendly boardwalks stretch out over the swampy landscape along the edge of the Pithlachascotee River. Resurrection ferns adorn the oak branches overhead and coontie ferns and palmettoes abound. As do squirrels. They race across the wooden planks and scamper up trees. The ones we spotted were well-rounded out (fed) and curious. 

Don’t feed the squirrels! Plenty of berries and wild edibles are in the preserve to satisfy the squirrels.

The smell of sulphur rises in the air, as the boardwalk nears a small seep framed by leaves. It’s a little creek running through a swale. The palmettoes are exceptionally bright green around the mineral-rich water.

The boardwalk ends on a concrete path. Ahead is the way to the parking lot, to the left is another trail and a covered observation pavilion, and another concrete path leads through stands of low palmetto bushes- the Palmetto Loop. 

Each public library sign is numbered along the Palmetto Path and sponsored by a local business as part of a trail for kids to help ignite critical thinking skills. 

Songbirds flit through the underbrush, and open skies rain sun from overhead. An abandoned gopher tortoise burrow lays like a small cavern in the sand beneath a brush pile, awaiting future occupants. Everywhere around is life and nature- thriving in this green space.

The trail leads back to the gravel parking area from the start. Visitors can loop around to the left to do the full Palmetto Loop trail or end the hike here.

The Upper Trail

Across the other side of the playground by the parking lot, the Upper Trail is located. This hiking path was created as phase III of the James E Grey Preserve by the City of New Port Richey with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Recreational Trails Program. The Upper Trail is a 2/3-mile looping path through scrub and sandhill ecosystems. 

Kayaking at the James E. Grey Preserve

Although pets are not permitted at the preserve, kayaks are allowed.  Paddlers can explore the park’s waterways by putting in at the ADA paddle launch onto the Pithlachascotee River. The official paddle trail beckons to the adventurous, as does the cove. The launch site is easily accessible with a circle drive drop-off point by the river.

A hidden green space in the heart of a city, James E. Grey Preserve offers a brief escape into nature.

The squirrels stayed on the boardwalk-perhaps guarding their swamp, or maybe the abundant food that came from the plants there. 

“It’s getting late,” my daughter said, “I could use some dolmades. You know, Tarpon Springs is only a few miles away.”

Things to Know Before You Visit the James E. Grey Preserve

1. This fee-free city park is open from sunrise to sunset.
2. Pets are not allowed.
3. Playground, restrooms, and picnic pavilions are available
4. ADA kayak launch
5. James E. Grey Preserve is located at 6938 Plathe Road in New Port Richey, Florida

Sources: 

• https://www.fivay.org/new_port_richey.html
• https://pureflorida.blogspot.com/2007/11/james-e-grey-preserve-opening-day.html
• https://cityofportrichey.com/parks/