Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Reserve (PEAR) Park Nature Center & Wildlife Conservation Area

PEAR Park - Nature Center & Wildlife Conservation Area

General Information

4800 University Ave.
Leesburg, FL 34748

Open: 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Acres: 268

This “Passive” recreation area has several miles of trails to explore, xeric and butterfly demonstration gardens, two observation pavilions, a nature center with a geology lab, a viewing blind that overlooks one of the park’s ephemeral ponds, community gardens, Bluebird Box Trail, 50 acres of Scrub Jay restoration, and five acres of meadow restoration.

Bordered by the Palatlakaha River on the North and West this area holds a vast amount of wildlife and plants for the avid birder or naturalist to discover. Along the trails, more than 170 species of birds including Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Bluebird, and Eastern Meadowlark and 40 species of butterflies like Zebra Swallowtail, Red-spotted Purple, and Gulf Fritillary have been found, as well as snakes like Eastern Hognose, Rough Green, and Eastern Coachwhip, Gopher Tortoises, Bobcat, Coyote, River Otters, American Alligator, and many dragonflies.

Visitors will notice land restoration and on occasion the use of “prescribed fire” to return the area to its historic condition. Kiosks and educational hikes will help visitors envision xeric scrub with the calls of Florida Scrub Jays, Long-leaf Pines towering above a sea of native wildflowers, and ephemeral ponds filled the songs of numerous frogs.

View PEAR Park Map