East Lake Management Area

Background

The East Lake Management Area is in the East Lake area of unincorporated Pinellas County. The property was originally part of a large, continuous and forested wetland system that spanned from Lake Tarpon to the main channel of Brooker Creek. Historic aerial photographs show that between 1957 and 1965 a ditch was excavated through this wetland system likely to drain the area. Excavated fill remains mounded along the southern side of the ditch. Additional excavation took place in 1972 for the Windmill Pointe subdivision.

The management area is nestled within several subdivisions but remains connected to a large wetland system to the northwest that spans from Lake Tarpon to John Chesnut Sr. Park. The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners acquired the land in 1987. This area, which is closed to the public, is managed by Parks & Conservation Resources.

Characteristics

The hydrology, or natural water system, of the East Lake Management Area is dominated by a large, excavated drainage area and ditch. The excavated area holds water and provides some value to wildlife such as herons and egrets. The majority of the property is forested wetland in relatively good condition.

The edges of the property have been invaded by numerous species of non-native plants encouraged by disruption from the excavated area and surrounding residential neighborhoods. Soils are mainly Anclote fine sand that corresponds with the forested wetlands found in this area. Mixed forested wetlands support diverse plants such as cypress, maple, elm, bay, cabbage palm, water oak, laurel oak, slash pine, wax myrtle and various ferns.

This area also supports small pockets of trees dominated by slash pine with a relatively thin understory of palmetto. The site contains several rather grand specimens of slash pine with many exceeding 2 feet in diameter. Because the management area is connected to a more extensive wetland system to the northwest, it also supports large mammals such as white-tailed deer.

Management

Since assuming management of this area, the County has focused on studying and assessing the ecological conditions. The mound along the southern side of the ditch is mowed regularly to help with drainage maintenance. The two access points to this berm are chained, locked and posted with signs. A boundary survey will be conducted before perimeter fencing is installed, and additional signs are posted to enhance protection of this property.

Exotic nuisance vegetation control, along with trash removal, will be the main focus of future management efforts. Brazilian pepper, air potato, creeping oxeye, Chinese tallowtree, American evergreen and wild taro are among the non-native species found on the property. Maintenance of the ditch and sanitary sewer line that run through the property will require coordination with other Pinellas County departments.

Value

While The East Lake Management Area has special significance to local residents and provides economic and environmental benefits to its neighbors, this natural area provides valuable services to all residents and visitors to the region.

By protecting native biodiversity, it supports countless organisms ranging from microbes to mammals. For example, white-tailed deer, great blue herons, woodpeckers, barred owls and numerous other wildlife species have been found here. This natural area also makes important contributions to the region’s natural water system by providing flood storage and improving the quality of surface water before it enters Lake Tarpon.

For additional information:

Parks & Conservation Resources
12520 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33774
Phone: (727) 582-2100
Fax: (727) 582-2550