What is now known as the Saylor Nature Trail was for decades an abandoned, overgrown, shell road. This is no longer the case. It now offers a beautiful and educational walk on a trail that leads through the undisturbed natural environment of Barefoot Beach Preserve, for almost a mile, and ending at Wiggin's Pass.
In early 1994, the Friends of Barefoot Beach, a non-profit volunteer group, determined that we had an underutilized natural resource, one that no one could ever see or enjoy. So they collected shovels, rakes, machetes, and chainsaws and cleared the trail. Brazilian Pepper and Australian Pines (exotics) were removed, and gumbo limbo, seagrape and wild flowers were planted in their place. Over 30 different plant types viewable along the trail's edge were identified and marked. Naida Eisenbud, a Friends founder and Master Gardener, led the effort. She also created a detailed plant descriptive Trail Book, available at the Friends Learning Center, to help guide you as you walk.
Today,
the Trail continues to be updated and maintained by the Friends. Along
with the plants, be sure to look for the Gopher tortoise dens, raccoons,
squirrels, and other wildlife making their homes here.
No one loved the trail more than Alice Saylor, one of the first Friends. She and her husband, Harold, have been aptly titled "Mr. and Mrs. Barefoot Beach." It was her home away from home. She spent many hours photographing and identifying new plants and wildlife inhabitants. Before she passed away in February of 2003, some of the Friends said "We should change the name to Saylor Trail," so we did. Then more Friends said "Lets put some benches and a plaque along the trail to honor her," so we did.
You can walk, pause, and sit along the way. Be sure to watch, listen, and enjoy.
LIST OF PLANTS AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST ALONG THE TRAILS
AT BAREFOOT BEACH PRESERVE
As you traverse your way along the trails at Barefoot Beach Preserve, you will have an opportunity to view many species of plants native to Southwest Florida. Markers with photos of these plants have been placed along the trail, and a trail guide may be picked up for your use while visiting. Here is a list of plants that we have identified along the trail:
At the first beach access (at the 3rd parking lot)
Beach Elder
From the North entrance to the Saylor Trail:
Bloodleaf
Cabbage Palm
Snowberry
Century Plant
Wild Coffee
Earleaf Greenbrier
Gumbo Limbo
Sea Grape
Golden Beach Creeper
Lantana
Prickly Pear Cactus
Necklace Pod
Blue Porterweed
Jamaica Dogwood
Bay Bean
Passion Flower
Poison Ivy
On the 2nd beach access:
Bay Cedar
Alice Saylor Bench
Coastal Ragweed
7 Year Apple
Myrsine
Spanish Bayonet
White Indigoberry
White Stopper
On the 3rd beach access:
Sea Oats
New Chickee Hut
On the 4th beach access:
Inkberry
Log bench
Periwinkle
Northern Needleleaf
Ball Moss
Florida Privet
Buckthorn/Saffron Plum
Schefflera
Saw Palmetto
Connecting Trail:
Rosary Pea/Crab’s Eye
East Trail – Towards Wiggins Pass
Black Mangrove
Sea Purslane
Buttonwood
East Trail – North towards the 3rd parking lot
Coinvine
Muscadine
Bayberry/Wax Myrtle
Goldfoot Fern & Shoestring Fern
Varnish Leaf
Winged Sumac
Chaff
Water Pimpernel
Saltwort
Coastal Goldenrod
Comb Polypody
Yellowtop
Strangler Fig
Christmas Berry
Moonflower & Mangrove Rubber Vine
Knot Grass
Salt Marsh Fleabane/Camphor Weed
Nickerbean
Dentate Lattice
Red Mangrove
Fox Tail
Coastal Sedge
Spike Rush
Lovevine
Virginia Creeper
Cocoplum
Sea Ox-Eye/Sea Daisy
Salt Bush/Groundsel Tree
Beach Spurge
Broom Sedge
Cat Claw
Southern Beeblossum
Sand Cherry
Ocean Blue Morning Glory
Exit Saylor Trail