HISTORY AND NATURE OSCAR SCHERER In her will, Elsa Scherer Burrows (1884-1955) left the STATE PARK family’s 460-acre South Creek Ranch to the state in 1843 South Tamiami OSCAR SCHERER memory of her father, Oscar Scherer (who invented Osprey, 34229 a process for dyeing leather in 1872). After a year of STATE PARK 941-483-5956 preparation, Oscar Scherer State Park opened to the A hidden nature preserve public in 1956. for imperiled species, Three decades later, real estate agent and environmentalist Jon PARK GUIDELINES surrounded by urban areas Thaxton began campaigning for the • Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. state to purchase land adjoining • The collection, destruction or disturbance of plants, the park that provides habitat for animals or park property is prohibited. the -jay, the only bird species unique to Florida. With • Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets wide public support and help from must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and The Nature Conservancy and Sarasota County, the be well -behaved at all times. state purchased 922 acres from the adjacent Palmer • , boating, swimming and fires are allowed in Ranch in 1991. designated areas only. A Florida saltwater fishing Oscar Scherer is perhaps best known as a place to license is required unless exempt by law. see the scrub-jay, whose populations have been • Are you interested in volunteering? Inquire at the greatly reduced by urban development. The park has ranger station. one of the only protected populations in southwest Florida. Scrub-jays are entirely dependent on healthy • For information about joining the Friends of Oscar scrub habitat, and prescribed fire is an essential Scherer Park Inc., call 941-483-5956. management tool used to keep scrub healthy. • For camping information, contact Reserve America Bald eagles nest here in winter and are commonly at 800-326-3521 or visit ReserveAmerica.com. seen. The habitat is also home to many other unique • Florida’s state parks are committed to providing creatures such as the indigo snake, equal access for every visitor to all facilities and and gopher frog. Oscar Scherer preserves more programs. Should you need assistance to enable than two square miles of natural land in a rapidly your participation, please contact staff at any ranger developing region and provides resource-based station or call 850-245-3076 (Voice) or 711 (Florida for over 250,000 visitors annually. Relay Service).

FloridaStateParks.orgVisit us online at Follow us on social media FloridaStateParks.org#FLStateParks EXPERIENCES AND AMENITIES Oscar Scherer State Park This park’s large acreage of scrubby flatwoods makes it one of the best places in southwest Florida to view Inset Florida scrub-jays, an imperiled species found only in Directions Florida. Ask a ranger for the best place to find them Oscar Scherer Blue Trail Yellow in this 1,398-acre park. In addition to viewing , Red Trail Trail State Park is located on U.S. 41, an array of other land and water-based recreational Red Trail activities await you. Check out our program and six miles south of event calendar online at floridastateparks.org. Sarasota.

Lake Heading south on Osprey The park provides opportunities for canoeing, I-75, take exit 200. fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, bicycling, Red Trail Heading north on camping and wildlife viewing. Visitors looking for I-75, take exit 195. wildlife will find that early and late in the day are the Legend South Creek Nature Trail South Creek best times. Canoeists and kayakers can paddle along Picnic Area Park Boundary South Creek, a tidal blackwater stream that flows to Ranger l US HighwStationay Lester Finley Green Trai a nearby bay. Canoes and kayaks can be rented. Try Trail N both freshwater and saltwater fishing from the creek State Road banks, or anglers can fish the shores of Lake Osprey, Pier Park Road Paved l W E which is also the park’s swimming destination. Green Trai Picnic areas are equipped with grills, and pavilions Park Road Stabilized S can be reserved for a fee. The park has campsites Park Road Unstabilized and a youth/group camp area. A visitor center Walkways has exhibits and videos about the park’s plants and Biking Hiking Trail Hiking wildlife. Camping Hiking/Biking Trail Hiking/Biking Fifteen miles of provide solitude, beauty, Canoeing Paddling Trail The Legacy Trail Yellow Other Sarasota County challenge and a healthy adventure for everyone. The Trail Lester Finley Barrier Free Nature Trail, located Paddling Canoe Ramp in South Creek Picnic Area, is accessible to those Camping FishingSites with sight, hearing or mobility impairments. It has Structures Hiking a wheelchair accessible fishing dock, butterfly observation area and drinking fountain. Parking Lo Parkingt Water Bodies Pavilion See Inset Picnicking

Playground Big Lake Primitive Group Camping Lake Osprey Restrooms

Showers Lake Osprey Day Use Area Swimming

Visitor Center

South Creek Wildlife Viewing Day Use Area PO00239_08.19