This is now the second time I’ve visited Riverbend Park as an adult. (You can see the first time HERE. It was super cute, and no kids were eaten by alligators, so that was a plus). But I’ve been to the Everglades a whole handful of times, both as a child and as adult. I remember doing canoe trips every once in a while with my dad. I remember the fear of the alligators– and the tricks my dad would play when he would dive into the waters– scaring even more crap out of me. Even now, I still get nervous every time I canoe past a giant gator. But never nervous enough to keep me away. It’s their land (and water) for sure, but our land too.
Our landscape (everywhere, not just in Florida) is constantly changing— bigger malls, taller buildings, more factories— it’s part of how it goes, but it’s also super important for us to preserve our precious outdoor spaces. We’re losing 6,000 acres of land a day. Thats too much. We don’t need a world of buildings— we need a world of open space with fresh air and places to spread our legs (or row our paddles). You know?
The Trust For Public Land is doing big things to try to help us Americans preserve our precious parks and create new spaces in city areas too. We’re super lucky to have a few parks right near by our house, but as cities grow, we’re losing these places. I heard a rumor– HOPEFULLY just a rumor that our local park might start housing condos— we don’t need more condos. We need our parks.
Not only does the Trust for Public Land help help create new city parks and preserve the wonder that is the Everglades, but also working farms, ranches, and forests. I can’t imagine a world without these places, and I don’t want to.
Do you have a park or sacred outdoor space you love? Consider becoming part of the #ourland movement, donating to the Trust For Public Land, and/or sharing and preserving your spaces <3
And if you’re curious, you can check out the map and see what land their currently working with near you.
I’m lucky to have felt good enough this week (it was a while ago now) to do this. My friend Lauren was moving away (is gone now)— just like so many of the friends I have around here. I say it all the time, but Florida is just so transient. Grateful to have got a bit of extra sunshine with this sunshine 😉
We only had one gator sighting this trip (none the previous). And this time, he was off in a distance— minding his own business. It was a good time. We brought lots of snacks to enjoy and had the most amazing weather. I hope this place is always here. I hope we don’t poison the waters or build buildings on top of it. <3<3
If you haven’t already, check out the Trust for Public Land and support them. They’re truly doing wonderful things that we can all appreciated. And don’t forget to create your own postcard for the #ourland movement <3
4 Comments
This looks amazing!! Perfect place to wear your jellies 😉 I am SO with you about preserving our land!! When I was little I always said I would buy a plot of land just so that another building isn't built there (our neighborhood was developing a lot during that time). In an environmental sustainability class I took in college, I learned that cities are actually a really good thing, compared with urban sprawl. So building taller buildings close together – yes. Expanding cities and building buildings that take up space that used to be vacant – no. The only thing is… I understand the reasoning that if people move to cities rather than suburban neighborhoods, we'll save space & land that we can visit more often, buuut I want to live in that open space and be on the land all the time, not living in a cramped city. Sigh.
ooh it looks so mystical!
I can't believe I lived in South Florida 99% of my life and am only discovering this place now, when I've moved away. I'll have to check it out the next time I visit my parents.
You have too! It's so amazing! 🙂