Yankeetown is host to the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve (WGP), a 413-acre passive nature park at 1001 Old Rock Road, Yankeetown, Florida (6.5 miles west on Highway 40 from the traffic light at the intersection of Highway 40 and U.S. 19 and U.S. 98). Grand Opening for the preserve was on Feb. 7, 2009.

Yankeetown purchased the property for WGP with a grant from the Florida Community Trust. WGP is a unique coastal wetlands area containing streams, lakes and salt marshes and pine and hardwood forests.

Working with Southwest Florida Water Management District grants, the teachers and middle school students from nearby Yankeetown School have cut the trails, put up directional posts, built informational kiosks at trail heads and other vital points and planted native gardens.

Under renovation is a three-story, 4500 square foot educational resource center and nature museum which will have meeting rooms, educational displays and information on the Florida Nature Coast’s unique coastal wetlands. The Felburn Foundation has provided much financial assistance with the remodeling of the building. More work still remains to be completed to transform this once residential structure to an educational and museum center.

The preserve must be experienced to fully appreciate the beauty of Florida’s Nature coast Wetlands. With streams, lakes, salt marshes, pine and hardwood forests, the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve is an undisturbed piece of old Florida.

WGP offers several wilderness trails for nature walks, including a handicapped-accessible boardwalk with an impressive view of a natural salt pond.

Other highlights include a 30-foot observation tower overlooking tidal wetlands for wildlife viewing and a kayak/canoe launch site for offshore viewing of the preserve and access to the Waccasassa Bay. Other amenities include picnic tables and restroom facilities.

The preserve must be experienced to fully appreciate the beauty of Florida’s Nature coast Wetlands. With streams, lakes, salt marshes, pine and hardwood forests, the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve is an undisturbed piece of old Florida.

A major effort has been made to leave the Preserve in its natural state and yet provide an educational resource for the people and especially the children of the area

A major effort has been made to leave the Preserve in its natural state and yet provide an educational resource for the people and especially the children of the area. Three grants from the Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program have made all this possible. An observation tower and canoe/kayak dock are part of the new improvements. The dock provides access to estuarine waterways for offshore views of the Preserve and access to Waccasassa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

The preserve is open from 9:30 a.m. to sunset daily, including holidays.