Explore Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is a 245-acre (99 ha) protected area in St. Petersburg, Florida, Pinellas County, Florida. The preserve is located on the shores of Lake Maggiore in south St. Petersburg. Operated by St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation, it includes over 3 mi (4.8 km) of trails through a variety of natural communities: lake, freshwater marsh, and swamp; pine flatwoods and scrub; and hardwood hammock. Common wetland plants include red maple, giant leather fern, lizard's tail, willow, and bald cypress. Upland species include saw palmetto, live oak, cabbage palm, bracken, goldenrod, and three pine—sand, longleaf, and slash. Migratory birds and other wildlife rely on Lake Maggiore as a food source. Facilities include a playground and picnic areas. The preserve is used for school field trips and hosts environmental education programs. It is located at 1101 Country Club Way South. A longtime resident of St. Petersburg, the late Paul Eppling used recycled metal and scrap metal to make sculptures. Boyd Hill Nature Preserve has seven of his sculptures: Narcissus from Greek mythology in the parking lot, a similar figure in a tree behind the environmental center, a glass-top table inside the environmental center, two large armadillos near Wax Myrtle Pond, a heron near Lake Maggiore Island, and another bird in front of Boyd Hill's aviary, where injured raptors are cared for.