CROSS BAYOU – THE NEXT BIG CLEAN UP PROJECT
PINELLAS PARK – A new kayaking facility may soon become a reality thanks to a joint effort between the city and a Gulfport business.
Councilman Rick Butler said the city-owned vacant land at an old brush site on 102nd Avenue will be outfitted with a storage building and picnic facilities, with minimal cost to the city.
“The new venture will give local enthusiast a place to explore local waters with a kayak or canoe,” Butler said.
Butler came up with the idea when he realized that the city-owned land that once was the brush site and the location of the city’s old sewer plant was vacant. He approached Kurt Zuelsdorf of Gulfport who operates Kayak Nature Adventures.
Zuelsdorf, a nationally-recognized environmentalist, will develop the property on Cross Bayou Creek into a canoe and kayaking haven where people can glide the waters north to Tampa Bay and south to the Bay Pines veterans medical facility.
“I’m thinking it would take several hours to make the trip by kayak,” Butler said. “There are amazing things to see on the shores and in the water.”
The creek is home to numerous species of birds, turtles, alligators and tropical vegetation. Butler himself, who was born and raised in Pinellas Park, recalled playing and fishing there as a child.
Butler said preliminary plans call for building a picnic area across the street from the proposed kayak facility site. Besides renting vessels, the location will give water enthusiasts a safe place to launch their craft and park vehicles.
It is expected that Zuelsdorf also will offer environmental tours of the waters. Zuelsdorf, Butler said, has earned a reputation for cleaning the environment of litter. He is credited with cleaning more than 100,000 pounds of bottles, paper and other trash over the years from Pinellas County’s waterways and beaches.
“This project will add a lot to the city,” Butler said. “There is a lot to see from a kayak or canoe.”
Butler said he has traversed the waterways by canoe, rowboat and even by airboat.
It is expected that the new facility will be in operation by next spring.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Kurt, the big picture at the beginning of the article didn’t show up on my computer. John Z.
January 18th, 2010 at 10:12 am
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January 18th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Cross Bayou will be very happy to meet Kurt and the once abundant wildlife will once again have a clean home again to prosper and multiply — Thanks to the powers to be for allowing Kurt to lead the way for this fine restoration project… bob dowling—:)
January 20th, 2010 at 6:55 am
Thanks John. The video I just posted should help
January 20th, 2010 at 6:55 am
You said it Bob!
February 11th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Good Afternoon Kurt,
I am interested in the Clam Bayou Kayak Clean-up. Can you send me specific details? Do you take groups out regularly?
Thanks for your time.
-Melia H. Walkowiak
mhwalkowi@hotmail.com
February 11th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
When did you say the spring Thaw was? Or should we just put on our Ice skates and wet suits and go for it? Bob d.