Egmont Key State Park reopens after months of recovery from hurricanes
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — One of Tampa Bay's most beloved islands has reopened to the public after months of cleanup and recovery from last year's hurricanes.
Egmont Key State Park quietly reopened last Friday, officials with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater said.
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Reachable only by boat, the secluded island at the mouth of Tampa Bay is primarily a wildlife refuge but can also be a 'personal refuge' for visitors, the Florida State Parks website states.
Many visitors enjoy fishing, swimming, picnicking and viewing the island's wildlife, including a large population of gopher tortoises. The 440-acre remote island also has a significant history as it is home to Fort Dade and a light house built in 1858.
According to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, the island's lighthouse was one of the last government-operated lighthouses in the U.S. and still serves as an active navigational aide to ships entering Tampa Bay.
Several parks and beaches in Pinellas County were closed for months after officials said they suffered 'catastrophic' damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Trees toppled onto buildings and hundreds of picnic tables washed away at the nearby Fort De Soto campground, which fully reopened in February after an extensive cleanup.
With Wednesday's announcement that Egmont Key State Park is back, officials invited visitors to 'Swim. Explore. Relax. But please leave nothing but your footprints.'
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