Your Personal Tour Guide for Hillsborough County Parks
Plus, leadership votes for county commission and schools, and Your Photo Here.
In today’s newsletter we’ll introduce you to a new app created for our county’s parks. Learn fun facts as you wander around local conservation parks and nature preserves while listening to the Hillsborough County FL Nature Tours app. Plus, continuity on the county commission, change on the school board, and Hillsborough County’s best local news summary.
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CURRENTS
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TOP NEWS
Weekly lawn watering restriction starts on Dec. 1 for Bay Area residents. WUSF
Tampa the "capital of American homeschooling," per new report. Axios
Ball python spotted in South Tampa neighborhood. News Channel 8
In push to remove homeowners from Citizens, the state-run insurer uses unlicensed inspectors. WUSF
Speed detection cameras in Hillsborough County school zones approved by commissioners. Fox 13 News
Power outage closes Tampa waste facilities until further notice. Patch
Florida lawmakers hear alarming tales regarding hemp-derived THC products. Florida Phoenix
Florida agencies ‘toothless’ in handling condo complaints, enforcers tell lawmakers. Florida Politics
Seffner man arrested after aiming rifle at trooper who knocked on his door. News Channel 8
Tampa creates Small Business ‘Navigator’ to help entrepreneurs. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
BRIEFS
Hagan Keeps Chair: The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners selected Commissioner Ken Hagan to remain as chair and Commissioner Michael Owen as vice chair during its annual organizational meeting on Nov. 14. Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda remains as chaplain. Hagan, District 2, has served as a commissioner since 2002, and this makes his seventh term as board chair. Hagan has served as the board’s representative on key economic development boards, including Visit Tampa Bay, Tampa/Hillsborough Expressway Authority, and the Tampa Sports Authority, as well as the Florida Association of Counties and the Hospital Authority. The board also selected positions on the various boards, committees, and councils on which they serve. A complete list is posted at HCFLGov.net/BOCC.
Panther Stats: Two more Florida panther deaths have been reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The remains of a 3-year-old, male Florida panther (UCFP447) were collected on Nov. 12, on CR 833, south of SR 80 in Hendry County. Additionally, the remains of a 4-year-old, male Florida panther (UCFP448) were collected on Nov. 12 on Immokalee Road in Collier County. The suspected cause of both deaths was vehicle collision. The FWC has updated the Panther Pulse web page with mortality information through Nov. 13. Report injured or dead panthers to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
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REPORTER
App Adds Depth to Hillsborough County Parks Experience
By Judith M. Gallman
Imagine walking on a meandering boardwalk among ancient cypress knees and blooming water hyacinths at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park. Around a bend, you hear some splashing, and a bright pink roseate spoonbill rises up from the water. And then in some nearby brush, you see another feathered beauty: an elegant great blue heron.
As you approach an informational sign, your phone starts playing some audio — thanks to the handy Hillsborough FL Nature Tours app you just downloaded.
The audio features soothing music and a little bird chatter, and then a pleasant female voice informs you that bird lovers come from all over the world to see this park’s inhabitants: wood storks, night herons, and great egrets among them. “In fact, an amazing 187 species of birds have been spotted in the park,” the app says at stop number seven on the tour.
At the foot of the observation tower (stop number three), the audio resumes with soft music. Listeners learn that Lettuce Lake is a curved offshoot of the Hillsborough River that assists in preventing area flooding. The app reveals that alligators like to relax in this swampy area, and practically on cue, a baby gator appears in the water, prompting a toddler accompanied by his parents and infant sibling to squeal happily. And around the corner, you spy a bigger juvenile gator.
Keep your ears tuned for the remaining six stops to learn about cypress trees, resurrection ferns, cypress domes, decomposition, and why there aren’t hippopotamuses chomping on the invasive but pretty water hyacinths.
Hillsborough County launched the free app during the pandemic, when parks and preserves were open but no in-person programs were offered.
Ross Dickerson, section manager of Conservation and Environmental Lands Management, said via email that the county Outreach Team came up with the idea after seeing a presentation at the Florida Recreation and Park Association annual meeting.
“Although we started looking at options prior to the pandemic, the pandemic set the project into overdrive so we could still provide guided tours,” Dickerson wrote. “Also, it provides equitable access to people who may not be able to hike the trail.”
Developed by storytelling platform STQRY for about $5,000, the app and its content features the voices of county staff, primarily from the Communications Department, Dickerson said. Currently, tours are available at 14 sites, chosen based on their popularity and natural features.
“We wanted to reach as many people as possible to get the word out,” Dickerson said.
The parks and preserves with audio tours include Alafia River Corridor South Nature Preserve, Alderman's Ford Conservation Park, Apollo Beach Nature Preserve, Bahia Beach Nature Preserve, Bell Creek Nature Preserve, Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve, Edward Medard Conservation Park, Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve, Lake Frances Nature Preserve, Lake Park Conservation Park, Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve, Triple Creek Nature Preserve, and Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park.
The app includes maps of the parks and preserves and uses GPS to show visitors where they are. As a person approaches a specific area, the app brings up photos and an audio tour explaining what the parkgoer is seeing. Sometimes, the significance isn’t 100 percent clear — just where is that decomposing tree felled by lightning at stop number six at Lettuce Lake?
But more often than not, the voiceovers present interesting facts: a buttressed bald cypress tree visible at stop number two is 500 years old, one of the oldest in the park. Such trees flourished throughout Florida but were decimated by logging in the 1800s — first by hand saws, then chainsaws, and the audio includes sound effects of both.
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Visitors can use the audio tours in three ways: listen to each stop, use the QR code on the signs at each site, or go to the drop-down menu in the app for photos and text. The last way is useful for those who are deaf or hearing-impaired.
“It’s very simple to use, especially if you download the app,” Dickerson said. “Once you arrive at the site, you pull up the site, turn on the tracking, and the app does the rest. As you approach an area of significance, the app starts telling you what you’re looking at. The best tip is to actually download the app. It makes it a lot easier to follow along. And, if you don’t want to be tied to your screen (most of us don’t, out in the woods), you can just put it in your pocket and it will still provide the audible educational information at each stop.”
Users should be mindful of other parkgoers, perhaps keeping the volume low or, even better, sporting earbuds or headphones so the music and sound effects, from gentle rain and rumbling thunderstorms to croaking frogs and pond splashes, don’t intrude on others’ nature experience.
Although Lettuce Lake is one of Hillsborough County’s most visited parks, for much of a recent stroll to view the natural attractions in tandem with the app, this reporter felt like a solitary visitor. There was a nice breeze, gentle sun, and plenty of flora and fauna to study. The twists and turns of the boardwalk kept what’s ahead a secret.
However, when I happened upon a birder aiming a giant lens at something, the high-speed shutter on the camera clicking and whirring nonstop for an uncountable number of photos, she shushed me when I asked what birds she was seeing. No doubt a blaring app soundtrack would have detracted from her experience.
“This has not presented itself as an issue,” said Alison Hughes, senior program coordinator for Conservation and Environmental Lands Management. “We hope users are courteous to each other, but if not, narratives are short. Programs like these are important because they can increase accessibility and interest in the trails. Some people cannot attend guided hikes, or perhaps do not want to, so having a self-guided option helps them connect with the trail in a new and easier way.”
Dickerson hasn’t received much public feedback about the app, though he said the three ratings on the app store are all five stars. The IOS app has been downloaded more than 5,000 times, and the Android app has been downloaded more than 100 times.
“So far, the number of downloads exceeded our expectations,” he said. “But the highlighted trails need to be expanded to keep people interested. Our goal is to add one trail per site and have a separate icon to feature just the Hiking Spree sites for next year.”
Hillsborough County’s 2023-24 Hiking Spree, a countywide effort to get people hiking, runs Nov. 1-March 31, 2024. Participants must complete a minimum of eight designed trails to win prizes and rewards. (Here’s the Hiking Spree trail list). Hikers can go on their own, hike with a group, or join a guided tour from park staff. But they must register (which is free) and keep track of the trails they hike. When they’re done, they complete a form and receive a confirmation email to pick up a Hiking Spree medallion, patch, or dog bandana.
As far as the novelty of Hillsborough County’s nature app, Dickerson said, “I won’t say it’s unusual, but it is still rare. Many federal parks use apps like this, and it is very common for self-guided tours in museums and other large venues.”
As you take in the squirrel chatter, woodpecker knocks, and the rustling of the wind around you on the Lettuce Lake nature tour, you may notice a meditative quality to the gentle, strumming music and calming nature sounds on the app. It makes for an informative and pleasant experience and adds another dimension to Hillsborough County parks.
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OTHER NEWS
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BAY AREA
Hillsborough school board elects new chairperson, approves 4 principals. Tampa Bay Times $
Blake Casper donates $5 million to Tampa General Hospital Foundation. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Ybor City shooting: TPD hosts town hall as search continues for additional persons of interest. Fox 13 News
These Tampa Bay hospitals saw their safety ratings decline in 2023, watchdog says. 10 Tampa Bay
USDA awards $3 million to USF for research of disease transmission. WMNF
Tampa Port CEO gets raise, bumping him to $597K a year. Tampa Bay Times $
Tampa RV firm Lazydays, in first-of-its-kind-deal, partners with luxury brand. Business Observer $
Lazydays cancels $100M capital raise after stock price sinks. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Former Tampa Bay Storm owner sues Clearwater firm over deal that ended with team's bankruptcy. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Former employee in Tampa's mobility department alleges unlawful termination in lawsuit. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Tampa's Westshore Interchange could see changes to the design of its local street connections. Tampa Bay Business Journal $
Suspect accused in gruesome murder of Tampa man he met on dating app asks for bond. Fox 13 News
Woman killed while attempting to cross West Hillsborough Avenue. Patch
Lawyers seek mental exam for man jailed in attack on Hillsborough deputies. Tampa Bay Times $
$2.6M federal grant to focus on making Tampa road safer. Patch
A Brandon Chick-fil-A location is now offering free drone delivery. Creative Loafing
Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Pitbull are playing Tampa together in 2024. Creative Loafing
Blues shut out Lightning 5-0. ABC Action News
USF women’s hoops team extends winning streak to three against Grambling State. The Oracle
FLORIDA
Up to 10 inches of rain expected in Southeastern Florida. The New York Times $
2 late-season tropical disturbances pop up in Atlantic, including 1 off Florida’s coast. News Channel 8
DeSantis seeks more money for Florida’s emergency fund after using funds out-of-state. WMNF
Office of Insurance Regulation approves workers’ compensation rate decrease. The Capitolist
Florida lawmakers consider changes to recess requirements in schools. Tampa Bay Times $
Over 'Marxist infiltration' fears, Sarasota to stop paying library group dues. WUSF
Pop singer Pink to give out banned books at Florida concerts. WMNF
UF appeals decision that it must pay attorney fees for violating professors’ First Amendment rights. WMNF
AG Moody seeks oral arguments in Florida Supreme Court test of abortion-rights initiative. Florida Phoenix
State’s top economist says wages are up for Florida workers — but so is inflation. Florida Phoenix
Florida lawmakers consider allowing spouses of veterans to live in long-term care facilities. WUSF
Federal officials support ruling on kids in Florida nursing homes. WUSF
Biden requests emergency funding for Florida child care and fentanyl addiction treatment. WUSF
The Biden administration is slow to act as millions are booted off Medicaid, advocates say. WUSF
DeSantis signs four bills passed during special session. The Capitolist
Her livelihood? Hunting pythons in the dead of night. The New York Times $
Video: Florida man with ‘all gas, no brakes’ neck tattoo crashes after fleeing Polk County crime scene. Fox 13 News
Video: Florida paddleboarder captures magical moment as manatee creates rainbow greeting. Fox 13 News
POLITICS
State senator bolsters county commissioner term limit proposal. The Capitolist
Voting rights groups press on with challenge to restrictive Florida registration rules. WMNF
Ron DeSantis coy on bill that would let him remove local officials who take down Confederate memorials. Florida Politics
Ron DeSantis slides to fourth place in latest New Hampshire poll. Florida Politics
DeSantis dispatches three top aides to Iowa. Politico
Iowa Republicans passing on DeSantis suggestion to hold satellite caucus in Florida. Florida Phoenix
Before running for senate, Stanley Campbell’s pregnant ex-wife accused him of battery. Florida Politics
Is Argentina the First A.I. Election?. The New York Times $
Poll: AI worries Americans in 2024 elections. Florida Politics
COMMENTARY
Here’s why a ‘St. Petersburg’ Rays would be better for the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Times $
Israel-Hamas war is dividing progressive political parties in both the U.S. and U.K.. Florida Phoenix
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Editors: Judith M. Gallman and Stephen Buel
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