Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park
| Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park | |
|---|---|
 A view into Cockroach Bay Preserve | |
  Location within Florida  Location within the United States | |
 Interactive map of Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park | |
| Location | Hillsborough County, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Ruskin |
| Coordinates | 27°40′19″N 82°31′25″W / 27.672000°N 82.523611°W |
| Area | 249 ha (615 acres) |
| Established | July 1, 2004 |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park is a Florida state park in Hillsborough County, comprising a series of barrier and river islands at the mouth of the Little Manatee River on the southeastern shore of Tampa Bay, near Ruskin.[1] The 615 acres (249 ha) preserve is accessible by water and is surrounded by the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve.[2]
Florida acquired the land for the park in 1997 under the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program using Preservation 2000 funds. It was initially managed by the Florida Coastal Office before management was transferred to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Recreation and Parks in 2003.[2] On July 1, 2004, the land was officially established as a state park.[3] Within the Florida State Park system, this park is classified as a state preserve, a designation that prioritizes protection of natural conditions over recreational development.[2]
The islands are mostly tidally submerged mangrove swamps, of which approximately 500 acres (200 ha) are mangrove habitat.[1] The preserve provides a habitat for three imperiled plant species, ten bird species, two reptiles, and the Florida manatee. The park also serves to protect the Little Cockroach Key archaeological site (8HI38) and the Cockroach Key Shell Midden (8HI12209).[2] Two paddling trails provide canoe and kayak access through the surrounding aquatic preserve, and the park is popular for birding and fishing.[1]
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park". Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park Approved Unit Management Plan (PDF) (Report). Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks. July 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ Report to Congress:John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Digital Mapping Pilot Project (PDF) (Report). United States Fish & Wildlife Service. June 30, 2025. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
External links
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