Oscar Scherer State Park
University of Florida	Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Information Retrieval System

Contributions to the Oscar Scherer State Park picture collection are welcome. Send your slide(s) to the APIRS office by mail, or E-mail your scanned slide to CAIP-WEBSITE@ufl.edu

These are images of Oscar Scherer State Park, Florida.

In the heart of the heavily-developed southwest Florida coast, just north of Venice, Oscar Scherer State Park is a 1,384-acre sanctuary for native plants and animals. These pine flatwoods and scrubby flatwoods are populated with the threatened Florida scrub jays, bald eagles, bobcats, tortoises and huge indigo snakes. The Park also features South Creek, a blackwater stream which connects to Dryman Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The creek's surrounding hardwood hammock is home to many water birds as well as river otters and alligators, rabbits and foxes. Native plants abound, including blueberry, persimmon, wild grape, cabbage palm, coontie, wax myrtle and prickly pear cactuses.


The original 462 acres were dontated to the state of Florida in 1955 by Elsa Scherer Burrows in memory of her father, Oscar Scherer, an inventor who developed a process for dyeing leather for shoes in 1872. In 1991 another 922 acres were purchased as part of Florida's Preservation 2000 initiative.


Visitors may enjoy hiking trails, a freshwater lake, fresh- and saltwater fishing in South Creek, canoeing and camping. The Park also features an award-winning "barrier free" nature trail which accomodates "people of all abilities", including the sightless. Built by the Friends of Oscar Scherer Park, Inc., this trail is dedicated to Lester Finley, a sightless park volunteer who lost his life to a hit-and-run driver. Oscar Scherer State Park is operated by the Florida Park Service.


For more information, contact Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229; (941) 483-5956.

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