Experience Natural Clearwater…Outdoors!

Over the past year we’ve told you a lot about “natural Clearwater.” Because of the tremendous response we’ve received and the continuing popularity of nature-based tourism, we’re going to “stay in touch” with our natural side!

This coming year you’ll be learning more about some of the awesome soft adventure and recreational nature experiences available throughout the greater Clearwater area.

We hope that you’ll come along as we continue to explore some of the great assets of natural Clearwater, from Anclote Key to Weedon Island. Throughout the journey, we’ll let you know about some of the best places for hiking (including moonlight nature walks!) and bicycling; sailing; diving, snorkeling and swimming; beachcombing and shelling; and birding and other wildlife viewing.

But first, it’s time to hit the blueways. Let’s go paddling!

Florida is a watery paradise and one of the best ways to experience it is by canoe or kayak.

Pinellas County provides paddlers with a variety of opportunities to explore the coastline, as well as a rich array of marine and estuarine ecosystems.

Throughout the waters, and abundant sea grasses and mangroves, paddlers can encounter a large variety of wildlife, including manatees, bottlenose dolphins, alligators, gopher tortoises and stingrays. Paddlers may also see fish such as mullet, striper, snook, amberjack, tarpon and redfish, and a variety of birds like bald eagles, ospreys, hawks, oystercatchers, herons, egrets, pelicans, woodstorks and roseate spoonbills.

Below is an overview of just a handful of the many launch points and paddle trails within Clearwater and nearby. There are many more throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Manatee counties. (See below for Additional Resources):

Honeymoon Island State Park
Maintained by the State of Florida, this island park can be circumnavigated, but paddlers should be aware of potential rough water on the Gulf side and strong currents in the passes. The eastern side of the island is rich in sea grasses and mangroves. Heading north from the island paddlers will come to Three Rooker Bar, an undeveloped barrier island.

Caladesi Island State Park
The island features a three-mile marked kayak trail through mangrove tunnels, which begins at the southeast corner of the marina and travels through the eastern side of the island. A short portage on the southern tip allows paddlers to circumnavigate the island. The waters along the eastern side of the island are lush with seagrass beds, encouraging the presence of marine mammals and numerous species of fish. The island itself is home to a number of nesting birds, including pelicans, snowy egrets and blue herons.

Stevenson Creek
Managed by the city of Clearwater, this facility has a sandy beach launch located on the southeast side of the US Alt. 19 N. bridge. After launching, paddle west under the bridge and into the Intracoastal Waterway. To the north and west, there are a number of spoil islands and a bird rookery. The large island to the northwest is Caladesi Island. Travel either north or south and circle the islands, each one offering wildlife viewing opportunities.

Seminole Docks
This public facility is owned and operated by the city of Clearwater and offers direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. There is a sandy beach area off to the right of the boat ramps for canoe and kayak access. From here a number of spoil islands can be explored, along with Caladesi Island.

Mandalay Park/Clearwater Beach Recreation Complex
This park is owned and operated by the city of Clearwater. It offers boat ramp access to the Intracoastal Waterway and a sandy beach for access to the Gulf of Mexico. Turn north from the boat ramp and head toward Caladesi Island and multiple spoil islands.

Memorial Causeway
The Causeway is under the management of the Florida Department of Transportation and offers a launch site on its southern side. From here, exploration possibilities include a number of spoil islands (including a few bird rookeries) and Caladesi Island. To reach Caladesi, paddle north from the Causeway, following the Clearwater Beach eastern coastline. The spoil islands in the Intracoastal Waterway offer opportunities for bird watching. South of the launch site is Pinellas County’s Sand Key Park.

Sand Key Park
This Pinellas County Park includes a beach where sea turtles annually deposit eggs. A salt marsh further enhances the park, where heron, roseate spoonbill, great horned owl, anhinga, and common moorhen nest and feed. North of this park is Clearwater Beach and the Memorial Causeway. Paddle east under the bridge and toward downtown Clearwater to a number of spoil islands that offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Other launch points/boat ramps and paddle trails throughout the Clearwater area include the Clearwater Municipal Marina, Cliff Stephens Park and the Clearwater Community Sailing Center.

But wait, there’s more!

It’s been called the “saltwater version of the Appalachian Trail.” However you wish to dub it, the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail is the state’s longest and most ambitious sea kayaking trail. Circumventing Florida’s coastline, it stretches from the panhandle south to the Keys and continues north up the eastern coast to the Georgia border. Along the way, the trail highlights and educates paddlers about Florida’s history and coastal environment, including its 20 national parks, seashores, wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries, 37 state aquatic preserves and 47 state parks - and incorporates and/or connects numerous existing local and regional blueways trails. The trail includes every Florida coastal habitat type, from barrier island dunes to salt marshes and mangroves.

The 1,500-mile trail is divided into 26 sections. The Pinellas County portion of the trail is just over 42 miles; beginning at Anclote Key State Park near the Pasco/Pinellas border in the north, it continues past Fort DeSoto in the south. This portion of the trail follows both the Gulf of Mexico, which includes several barrier islands, and the Intracoastal Waterway.

The trail has been created by The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, through the Office of Greenways and Trails, and has been designated a National Recreation Trail by the Department of the Interior.

For more information, visit the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail page on the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails Web site: www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/paddling/saltwater.htm.

Additional Paddling Resources

City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation:
www.myclearwater.com/gov/depts/parksrec/

Pinellas County Blueways Trail Guide:
www.pinellascounty.org/Plan/blueways/

State of Florida Office of Greenways and Trails:
www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/

Numerous local operators offer paddling tours or rent kayaks and canoes if visitors don’t have their own including Café Caladesi, Canoe Country Outfitters, Kayak Nature Adventures, Osprey Bay Outdoors and Sail Honeymoon. Visitors can also find additional operators online or by contacting local chambers of commerce or visitors bureaus for assistance.

Renovated Hilton Clearwater Beach Welcomes the New Year with a Fresh New Look

Whoever said you can’t make a good thing better hasn’t seen the new-and-improved Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort.  Fresh from a recent multi-million dollar refurbishment, this popular beachfront property spanning 10 acres along the Gulf of Mexico has been transformed top to bottom into the ideal setting for a relaxing vacation or business meeting. 

Within walking distance to Clearwater Beach’s best restaurants and shops, the family-friendly, 416-room hotel boasts a redesigned entranceway with full, brick-paved circular drive and lush, tropical landscaping which flows into the completely reconfigured, marble-floored reception area. Other updates include enhanced public and meeting space, new restaurants, upgraded gulf-view swimming pool area and remodeled guestrooms.  All guestrooms are appointed with stylish new furnishings, Hilton Serenity bedding, colorful artwork, flat screen TVs and upgraded bathrooms.

 Quality Gets Even Better

Further south, the Quality Hotel on the Beach also has recently undergone a renovation.

Situated on Clearwater Pass overlooking Sand Key Park, the five-story hotel had been scheduled for demolition to make way for luxury condominiums.  Luckily, the owner instead decided to maintain the hotel and complete a full remodel.

The waterfront hotel offers a lobby area with tropical décor and floor to ceiling windows, and spacious guest rooms with either private balcony or patio.  City view, partial gulf view and beach front rooms are available.  All rooms have been remodeled and include all the comforts of home and more, including new furniture and bedding, carpet and draperies, granite counter tops, marble bath surrounds, porcelain tile in bathroom and balcony or patio and flat panel LCD TVs.  Guests can enjoy a sun deck with splash pool and a poolside bar that overlooks the beach. The hotel also offers guest laundry facilities, a bar and 24-hour restaurant.

The hotel is located at 655 S. Gulfview Blvd. For more information, visit www.qualitybeachresort.com or call 727-442-7171 (toll-free reservations 800-228-5151).  

Billion Dollar Beach Update  

Beach Walk, the city of Clearwater’s beach beautification project, continues on track and is expected to be completed by January 2009.   

Meanwhile, the new Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach captures the sophisticated, yet comfortably casual essence of Southwest Florida, providing a new option for discerning travelers. A full service spa, fine dining at Caretta on the Gulf, casual fare at Tate Island Grill and Guest Enrichment Programs are highlights.  Visit www.Sandpearl.com or call 877-726-3111 for more information and reservations. 

For more information and updates about Beach Walk and private development on Billion Dollar Beach, visit www.billiondollarbeach.com or www.myclearwater.com/beachwalk.

“Everything's waiting for you … downtown” Clearwater

The transformation of downtown’s main street is complete!  Work on the Cleveland Street District, as the area is now known, lasted just over a year and cost $10 million.  The

Also near downtown…

Happy Diamond Anniversary!

Clearwater 's oldest family-owned and operated motel is celebrating the beginning of its 61st year. Congratulations to Gangelhoff’s Summerside Inn, formerly known as Gangelhoff’s Delux Motel!

The Summerside Inn has been serving guests since 1947 when Fred and Hilda Gangelhoff left Minnesota for sunny Clearwater to open a new type of hotel for motorists called a “motel.”

A Gangelhoff granddaughter and her husband are the new owners. The name was changed to lend the motel a fresh and modern appeal while still sounding warm and friendly.

There are also new touches at the Summerside Inn besides the name. The owners have renovated the rooms and have brought in high-speed Internet service and cable. Other plans include a grill area around the pool and possible shuttle service to the airports.  The Summerside Inn remains an “old-time” Florida motel and offers visitors a rich mix of friendly service, clean accommodations and local history.

Gangelhoff’s Summerside Inn is located at 1477 S. Ft. Harrison Ave. in downtown Clearwater. For information and reservations call 1-800-426-7332 or visit www.gosummerside.com.

All Hail the Queen  

While we’re downtown, let’s mosey a little further south and extend our congratulations to the Belleview Biltmore, which after a three year battle, has been saved from demolition.

When the "White Queen of the Gulf" first faced extinction in November 2004, residents, preservationists and other supporters sprung into action and began working hard toward saving the 111-year-old landmark through media relations, petitions, legal maneuvering and political wrangling.

In 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the Belleview as one of America’s Most Endangered Historic Places.

In June 2007, Los Angeles-based Legg Mason Real Estate Investors purchased the Belleview. Legg Mason has presented ambitious plans to preserve and restore the property and transform it into a five-star resort. The restoration project, scheduled to begin in May 2009, is expected to cost $100 million.

Plans include a complete restoration of the 256-room main hotel structure that includes five ballrooms, meeting rooms, restaurants and retail shops , as well as:

• A new landscaped grand entrance and removal of the existing pagoda structure at the front entrance to the main hotel

• A new, but architecturally consistent, 174-room annex hotel adjacent to the main hotel structure

• Three restored Victorian cottages

• A new one-story spa facility

• The elimination of surface parking through the construction of underground parking

Legg Mason maintains that the restoration will be environmentally friendly and in keeping with federal preservation standards.  It also will seek the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the property. “Green” renovations will include the incorporation of water efficient landscaping, energy efficient equipment and construction methods, reusable materials, ventilation upgrades among other environmentally-friendly enhancements.  

The changes should also allow the hotel to be designated a "Green Lodging" by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Even the governor of Florida has been caught up in the excitement. Last November, Governor Charlie Crist applauded green building efforts in Pinellas and Sarasota counties. His first stop was the Belleview for a press conference with representatives from the National Trust and Legg Mason, the new owners. Said Governor Crist: “The Belleview Biltmore is a fixture in this community and its preservation is crucial to our culture and historical industries."

Situated on a 22-acre bluff overlooking Clearwater Bay, the Belleview Biltmore was built in 1897 by railroad tycoon Henry Plant. The entire property includes the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club, the Belleview Biltmore Tennis Club, the Belleview Biltmore Spa and the Belleview Biltmore Beach Club on Sand Key. The original hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Daily historical tours are open to the public.  For more information, visit www.belleviewbiltmore.com or call 727-373-3000.

Appearing on the Big Screen

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium officially opened its new theater-in-the-round in December. The digital curved screen theater, built into what was formerly a large water-holding tank, boasts a 25-foot high-resolution screen and a digital projection system, creating an Imax-like experience.

Also at the grand opening, the aquarium premiered its new video that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the aquarium’s work with dolphins and sea turtles.  It also includes a feature on the amazing story of “Winter,” the dolphin who has been fitted with a prosthetic tail after losing hers in an abandoned crab trap.

For more information, visit www.cmaquarium.org or www.SeeWinter.com.

Getting Bigger and Better All the Time

The St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is very pleased to report that it served nearly 750,000 passengers in 2007, a 92% increase over 2006!  The airport has tripled the number of non-stop, low-fare destinations throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, Canada and charters to the Keys. PIE currently serves 29 destinations in the United States and Canada. 

With Allegiant Air, USA3000 Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Transat Holidays, Sunwing Airlines, and now Myrtle Beach Direct Air, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport looks forward to even more growth and success in 2008.

In addition, PIE remains on track for the first phase of its Terminal Improvement Project. Actual construction should begin this month and will include the addition of passenger loading bridges, renovation of terminal gates and interior renovation at ticketing areas.

For more information visit www.fly2pie.com.

A seemingly endless supply of sun, a mild and temperate climate, world-renowned beaches, nature-based attractions and wide-ranging recreational and cultural activities make Clearwater, Florida, one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations. Its proximity to St. Petersburg, Tampa, Sarasota and Orlando make it an ideal “home base” for daily excursions. Come on down and put yourself in our shoes for a while!

Visitors seeking additional assistance with their Clearwater travel plans can contact the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce: 1130 Cleveland Street, Clearwater, Florida 33755; info@clearwaterflorida.org; 888-425-3279 (toll free) or 727-461-0011. More information, as well as comprehensive lists and descriptions of accommodations, restaurants, nightlife establishments and shopping options, can be found in the free Official Visitors Guide or at www.visitclearwaterflorida.com.

Footprints is published quarterly by the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the City of Clearwater. Upcoming issues include Winter (issued December 2007) and Spring (issued March 2008).