April 26th, 2011 | 
Author: 
When I first reviewed the Ream Wilson Trail, I found 
Kapok Park and Cliff Stevens park adjacent to the trail. I vowed, at the time, to return to this little side trail oasis to have a proper look.
Kapok Park and Cliff Stevens park adjacent to the trail. I vowed, at the time, to return to this little side trail oasis to have a proper look.
Before You Go:
The usual rules apply. This is a mostly wet area and, if you decide to walk off trail, insect repellent is recommended. During the afternoon hours, especially during the summer months, water, sunglasses and sunscreen are a wise choice.
Getting There:
There are several ways to access this area. There is a parking area off Glen Oaks Avenue that accesses the east side of Kapok Park (if you have Google Maps installed, you can click on the hyperlink above). There is a parking area off Fairwood Avenue that accesses the western side of Cliff Stephens Park (again, if you have Google Maps installed, you can click on the hyperlink above). Finally, there is the way this author accessed and discovered this park, off Ream Wilson Trail just at the bottom of the 10% grade hill.
Ream Wilson Trail just at the bottom of the 10% grade hill.
The Trail:
While this is a small trail, there is a wealth of things to see and do within this 37 acre park. This area used to a mobile home park. The residents were moved to alternative housing and the city of Clearwater used the area to mitigate flooding in the area.
It is now a multi-use park that does double-duty as a flood control project. Coming off the Ream Wilson Trail, there is a boardwalk area just off to the right as you enter Kapok Park. On any given day, you can see multitudes of wading birds feeding among the marsh plants. The morning I was there, there were ducks, roseatte spoonbills, snowy egrets and some woodstorks feeding along the boardwalk area. There are several observation areas along the boardwalk where you can observe the fish within the lake and turtles swimming.
I saw no signs saying you couldn’t ride the bikes along the boardwalk and I passed many people who chose to ride. I, though, felt more comfortable walking my bike since there were families with small children and strollers also utilizing the boardwalk.
The boardwalk curves around to an open area that is more of an upland grassy area. If you go offtrail, you can walk along the banks of the lake and get right down to the waterline. The morning I was there, I was able to find several large, abandoned snail shells just along the shore. You can also get fairly close to wading birds if you are into bird watching.
As the trail curves around to the north, you will come to a t-intersection in the trail. Going to the right takes you to the parking area at Glen Oaks Avenue. Taking a left takes you either in a circuit around the lake or you can continue to the east and into adjacent Cliff Stephens park.
The trail follows a creek bed for a while and is peppered with large shade trees. Since this is all part of the Ream Wilson Trail system, I unwittingly blogged most of the Cliff Stevens Park portion when I did the original review of the Ream Wilson Trail.
Wherever you start your trail ride, enjoy this truly magnificent setting. Take the time to sit and listen and enjoy the wonder of the natural world set in the middle of the most densely populated county in Florida.
Posted in Clearwater East West Trail, Pinellas County | 
Tags: Bicycle Trail, Bicycling, Clearwater, Cliff Stephens Park, Cycling, Kapok Park, Pinellas County, Ream Wilson Trail, Trail
Finally a writer that puts some real work into a blog. I do like what you have done with the site.
Living on Bayshore Blvd, south of Safety Harbor, the Ream Wilson Trail has become a big part of our lives. My wife runs over to Kapok Park and around the boardwalk every morning; I walk through Del Oro during the week, and the 8 miles along the Trail to the Long Center and back Saturdays.
Just found your blog (is that the term?) this week, and think you’ve done justice to this terrific public amenity. Good of you to suggest bringing water and using sunscreen, because even though there’s ample shade, it gets a tad sunny and warm out there! You might also mention the Disc Golf Course that runs from Coachman Rd. to Kapok Park–though, I confess, this is often a very mixed blessing when discs are flying out there! Thanks again!