Aerial View of Tierra Verde

Tierra Verde, St. Petersburg Florida’s Crown Jewel

Native Americans considered the 15 islands that make up Tierra Verde at the southernmost tip of Pinellas County, Florida to be sacred ground. Rumors persist that the pirates Jose Gaspar, Juan Gomez and Jean Lafitte frequented the area, and may have left behind buried treasure. Today, Tierra Verde, or “Green Land,” is considered to be one of the crown jewels of St. Petersburg Florida Real Estate.

Surrounded by Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico

Surrounded by Boca Ciega Bay to the north, Tampa Bay to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Tierra Verde is a 667-acre enclave of high-end single-family homes and condominiums that encompass the subdivisions of Entrada, Monte Cristo, Pinellas Bayway, Sands Point, East Shore and West Shore.

Tierra Verde is also the gateway to Pinellas County’s recreational gem and historical landmark, Fort DeSoto Park, with its popular beaches, canoe trails, swimming centers, playgrounds, nature trails and dog park.

In the early 1960’s, Tierra Verde’s developers dredged the bottom of Tampa Bay, and deposited thousands of cubic yards of fill throughout the area. An extensive system of waterways was then created, and today Tierra Verde offers boaters unrestricted access to the area’s waters. This deed-restricted community boasts extra-wide [Read more…]

Boca Ciega Millennium Park Boardwalk

Visit Florida’s Pinellas County Parks            Get Out There!

Hounchell Real Estate recommends a few of our family’s favorite local Pinellas County parks.

One of the many things that make Florida’s Pinellas County a great place to call home is the wealth of parks and preserves that dot our area. The county’s Parks and Conservation Resource department maintains over 20,000 acres of parkland and preserves, many of which include picnic shelters, camping, playgrounds, boat ramps, hiking and biking trails, all of which are open to the public.

Here are just three of the over 20 Pinellas County parks to check out with your family. We’ll detail other county parks in future posts.

Boca Ciega Millennium Park
12410 74^th Ave. N. (Old Oakhurst Rd.), Seminole

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Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole has something for everyone. Be sure to check out the 35-foot observation tower for excellent views of Boca Ciega Bay. The park is known for its birding, its use of native plants in landscaping, and fossils dating back to the Pleistocene Age.

Amenities:

• Bay fishing access
• Canoe launch
• 1.5 acre dog park
• 35-foot observation tower
• .25-mile nature trail
• Boardwalks
• Playgrounds
• Restrooms
• Picnic shelters
• Bicycle/Walking paths

Eagle Lake Park in Largo, Florida

Eagle Lake Park
1800 Keene Road, Largo

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Eagle Lake Park in Largo was once utilized for cattle grazing and growing citrus. Today, the 163-acre park has been restored to its natural habitat using 100 percent native plants and is home to fox squirrels, a variety of bird species, gopher tortoises and water turtles.

Amenities:

• Picnic shelters
• Restrooms
• Playground
• Dog park
• Paved recreation trail
• Shelled walking paths
• 2,000 feet of boardwalks over restored wetlands
• Fishing

Fort DeSoto Beach, Pinellas County, Florida

Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde

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No parks and preserves discussion would be complete without a mention of Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County’s largest park. This 1,136-acre collection of five interconnected islands is a diverse ecosystem offering pristine beaches, nearly 300 species of birds, nesting grounds for loggerhead turtles, an abundance of sea life, historic Fort De Soto and it was named America’s Top Beach in 2009 by Trip Advisor.

Amenities:

• Historic Fort De Soto
• 7+ miles of waterfront
• White sandy beaches
• Boat launching and docks
• Camping
• Picnic Shelters
• Restrooms
• Playgrounds
• Two public swimming centers
• Fishing piers
• Ferry service to Egmont Key
• Concessions
• 6.8 mile recreation trail
• 2.25 mile canoe trail
• Nature trails
• Dog Park

Hounchell Real Estate-RE/MAX Metro is the leader in general real estate, pre-foreclosure, short sale and foreclosure markets in the Pinellas County area. Contact Chris Hounchell today at 727-642-9107.

Come Home To Harbor Isle in North St. Pete

In north St. Petersburg,Florida  there’s a neighborhood quite unlike any other you’ll find in the greater Tampa/St. Petersburg area. Harbor Isle, bounded by 72^nd Avenue Northeast to the south, 14^th Street Northeast and 75^th Circle Northeast to the west, 18^th Street Northeast to the east and Bayou Grande to the north, is a quiet waterfront community with its own interior lake and easy boating access to Tampa Bay.

First platted in the 1970’s, Harbor Isle contains 218 single-family homes constructed primarily by well-known builders Rutenberg, Sibley and Bruce/Williams, and offers great value in today’s real estate market. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, or are a boater dreaming of uncomplicated access to Tampa Bay sunsets, Harbor Isle is well worth your consideration.

Views of Tampa Bay & Weedon Island State Preserve

And talk about protected views, just to the north and the east across Bayou Grande is the Weedon Island State Preserve, a pristine 15,000-acre conservation area filled with an abundance of fish and other wildlife that populate the wetlands and estuaries of the region. The Preserve provides miles and miles of kayak and canoe trails, meandering walking/hiking trails, lovely picnic areas, a 45-foot observation tower with commanding views of Tampa Bay, a variety of fishing and a chance to go back in time to a simpler, quieter Tampa Bay era.

Interstate 275 and other major traffic arteries make getting to the lively downtown area of St. Petersburg a snap, while the sugar white sands of Redington Beach, Madeira Beach and Treasure Island are an easy drive to the west. [Read more…]