Bird of Paradise Letterbox
Planted 9/22/01
By: Amanda from Seattle

Weedon Island Preserve, St. Petersburg, Florida

Weedon Island is located on Tampa Bay in Pinellas County. The
entrance of the Preserve can be found on the west side of the Gandy
Bridge (SR 92). Turn south on San Martin Blvd. Travel approximately
one mile and then east on Weedon Drive NE. A canoe ramp, fishing pier
and public restroom is at the end of Weedon Drive.

Access to Weedon Island is limited to less than 300 people at a time
and may controlled by a gate. Hours are 8am to 6pm daily.


Start at the Paul Getting Memorial Trail (boardwalk). There is
parking here. Take the Tower Trail. This boardwalk travels through
the marsh to an observation tower that reaches 45 feet above sea
level. Three levels of stairs take you to an observation deck that
provides a truly magnificent 360-degree view of the St. Petersburg
area.
Continue along until the boardwalk ends. You'll see a sign
explaining the habitat of the Gopher Tortoise. I saw several
Tortoises while hiding this box. Please do not disturb them. When
you reach the ruins that are surrounded by a white picket fence, you
are very close.

An example of a kitchen midden can be found here. This mound was
originally over 10 feet high and 100 feet long. The midden was
leveled during the 1930's when the Grand Central Airport was built on
Weedon Island. The airport is no more, but part of the foundation for
the airport's office and waiting room still exists.