Little Hamaca City Park is a touch of green in the middle of New Town, wedged between the airport and the Riviera Canal. The literature tells us this is the last stand of hardwood trees in the city and is the place where one might expect to see such exotics as raccoons and snakes and I don't know what. But Little Hamaca has a reputation for being a gay cruising spot, which I find frustrating as that reputation keeps people away. I used to walk my dog here frequently in the days when I was owned by a Labrador and I was never accosted by anyone for immoral purposes. For what that's worth. When I went out earlier this week to take some pictures I wasn't accosted either but I saw the inevitable residentially challenged citizen, in this case organizing his life in the parking lot:
The entrance to Little Hamaca lies off Flagler Avenue at the Doc-in-a-Box, better known as the Urgent Care Clinic. The park has gates that are supposed to be closed at night in an effort to keep undesirables out:
And a theoretical 15mph speed limit on Government Road, a long straightaway past the airport, and the disused ammunition dumps scattered near a few of the many old missile pads:
Government Road winds about a mile past picnic tables and turn-outs to the holy of holies, as was in period of the Missile crisis of 1962, the Hawk missile site built to fend off rabid Cuban communists, which is now a paint ball field sponsored by the city. Youngsters used to bother condo residents at Oceanwalk apartments by creeping around the mangroves in the salt ponds shooting each other with paint. Now they get to do it in a properly sanctioned space:
There's a parking space off Government road that gives access, to wheelchairs too, to the boardwalk and trails that wind through the hardwood hammock:
A gentle ambling pace will take less then ten minutes to stroll to the end of the boardwalk, past information laden sign posts:
And of course at least a little bit of trash here and there. This checkers soda cup was less than 50 feet from a garbage can, but tossed well beyond the railing making it irretrievable:
The boardwalk leads past swampy lowlands where mangroves thrive and if this is an enviroment that looks interesting enough to explore local kayak guides specialize in mangrove paddles and will be delighted to give you a tour of Cow Key Channel or the Lakes, west of Key West. These are just a taste of those mysterious plants that fascinate visitors:
Alongside the mangroves are grassy prairies with their own, homemade trails leading heaven knows where:
Far in the depths of these delightful woodlands one can never get too distant from civilization even though it can feel like being nowhere near a modern city. Its the depth perception game that the Florida Keys play so well. In the distance one can barely see the busyness of Oceanwalk apartments a mile away, but it's another world across the greenery and salt ponds and airport runway:
And back on the main trail there is a dark dappled tunnel of undergrowth connecting the boardwalks, where the going is hot and sticky on a relatively warm day. This part of the park is airless, far from the sea breezes of the coast:
Getting closer to the Riviera Canal one can spot this apparently human made channel cut into the rock. I've seen these elsewhere in the Keys and I've always wondered who, what, why, when? I'll never know, I guess:
It seems to serve no purpose other than simply existing. Anyway beyond these mysteries the boardwalk resumes and takes the eager walker to his or her destination, visible through the mangroves, the Riviera Canal and more civilization across the water.
The boardwalk ends in a rather neat little docking area provided by the city for any passing boater to tie up and perhaps take a walk in the park:
It's a rare thing in Key West to have a house on a canal, there are only two streets in the city that offer this sort of amenity, Riviera Drive which tends to be fairly upscale, and Hilton Haven which is less so. Riviera Canal connects with Cow Key Channel under the South Roosevelt Bridge while the other end exits at the Salt Run Bridge under the North Roosevelt bridge and both bridges prevent tall boats, including sailboats, from entering. The homeowners here see open space across the water as they get a direct view into Little Hamaca.
I also spotted a visitor to one neighbor's dock:
Did I mention these escaped pets are sources of controversy? People who try to grow Up North style gardens tend to get frustrated because iguanas like to eat their produce. Personally they don't bother me because I don't have anything worth eating in my yard. Tourists like 'em, and they take their presence as proof positive this place is exotic. Think of them as roosters with scales on the streets of Key West.And there ends essentially the tour of Little Hamaca. All that's left is a splendid walk back to the motorcycle, and a ride out on Government Road,a road so stright and smooth it's a struggle not to open it up on the long straightaway. In the distance one can see what looks like a prison complex on South Roosevelt Boulevard:
In fact the Pepto-Bismol building is Key West By The Sea, former officer housing for the Navy Base and built like the proverbial brick shit house I'm told, made of poured cement and capable of withstanding a hurricane if not a nuclear attack. And there it sits dominating the skyline of Key West's most secret park.
In fact the Pepto-Bismol building is Key West By The Sea, former officer housing for the Navy Base and built like the proverbial brick shit house I'm told, made of poured cement and capable of withstanding a hurricane if not a nuclear attack. And there it sits dominating the skyline of Key West's most secret park.