Caladesi Discovery Center, as envisioned. Image: Florida State Parks.
The state of Florida has plans to build a 25 foot observation tower on the relatively pristine and undeveloped island of Caladesi, home to Caladesi Island State Park, just north of Clearwater Beach on the Gulf coast.
The tower is to be constructed at the site of a former 50-foot fire lookout tower built in the 1960’s and demolished in the 1980’s.
Currently, the only portion of the Pinellas County Coastline without the mark of development is Caladesi Island. Once the tower is constructed, it will rise above the trees and be a visible man-made landmark, albeit a small one.
Is this a good idea?
Here’s a photo of the old fire tower, which was twice as tall as the planned new observation tower:
Photo Credit: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/116942
I have mixed feelings about this new construction. I can’t say I’m opposed to it, after all, anything that can be done to call attention to the beauty of our coastline is bound to have positive educational benefits. And, 25 feet isn’t very high. Plus, the tower site appears to be near the marina and restroom buildings, so it’s not like they are blazing a trail deep into the remote areas of the park.
But, Florida is becoming so developed and has so few wilderness areas left, especially close to population centers, that we really need to think about where it’s all going to end. It’s hard to “undo” development. Reference the Everglades.
I’m not comparing this tower to the draining of the Everglades, but we still need to think carefully about what we are doing with the last vestiges of our natural places. When only small and unconnected areas of wilderness are left–as is the case today–even small changes have a big impact.
Honeymoon Island, immediately to the north of Caladesi (they used to be one island until the 1921 hurricane created a split) already has the Rotary Centennial Nature Center with an elevated observation deck that offers sweeping vistas of the area. It’s about 14 feet high.
Most of the funds to pay for the new tower will be raised by a local nonprofit organization, Friends of the Island Parks.
It seems like observation towers are becoming quite popular in Florida. We don’t have much in the way of hills in this part of the state, so it’s hard to find a good elevated scenic overlook.
Myakka State Park built a 74-foot observation tower some years ago, but that’s a 28,000 acre park. The tower disappears in a sea of oak/palm hammock. Delnor Wiggins State Park on the beach near Naples has an observation tower back in the mangroves, but last time I was there it was barely tall enough to see over the mangroves.
View from Honeymoon Island 14 foot elevated deck at the Rotary Centennial Nature Center. Looking toward Clearwater Beach and Caladesi Island.
When the tower is built, I’ll probably be one of the first to climb it and enjoy the view. But when I’m standing on deck, I’ll be giving thought to what it means about where we are and where we are going with Florida’s natural areas.
To find out more about the plans and the fundraising efforts for the Caladesi Discovery Center. Link is to the Dunedin Beacon.
Even more great info on the beaches of Caladesi Island in this article by Tonya Clayton. With photos.
