Otter Mound Preserve – Marco’s “Secret” Park

Overview

When most Islanders and visitors consider parks on Marco Island, the heavy hitters usually come to mind: Mackle Park, Leigh Plummer Park, Winterberry Park. There is, however, another park on the Island with a lower profile but stunning sights. Enter Otter Mound Preserve. No, you should not expect to see otters at this preserve, but the inland park boasts a wide array of bird species, as well as gopher tortoises patrolling the mounds found on the brief but engaging trail. More on that later on.

Otter Mound History

Let’s start with talking about the “mound” part of the equation. From 500-1750 AD, the Calusa, the indigenous people of the area, resided on the Island. Part of their tradition included building “mounds,” which featured various types of shells. One of those mounds was, you guessed it, found on the site of the preserve. In the 1900s, the preserve site was owned by Jim and Tommie Barfield, highly prominent early Island residents. At the time, the Island was known as Caxambas Village, and the clamming and pineapple industry represented the brunt of the revenue.

So what about those otters? Well, like German Chocolate Cake, the name origin actually refers to a surname. After Charles Griner purchased the land from the Barfields, his widow later sold it to Ernest and Gladys Otter in 1950. Prior to the purchase, the Otters regularly vacationed on the Island, and like many residents nowadays, they ultimately bought. They resided in a home that stood on the property until a fire burnt down the structure on Halloween in 1978. While most of the home is no more, the outhouse still remains.    

How to get to the preserve

As the title of this article states, Otter Mound Preserve is a bit of a “secret” park. Essentially that means the park is 100% public, but also a bit hidden compared to the other parks on the Island. Here’s what to do: coming onto the Island from the Jolley Bridge, take a left onto Barfield Drive. You will be on there for a little while before taking another left onto Inlet Drive. Finally, you will take your last left onto Addison Court, and the Preserve will be on your right. Bear in mind that the parking lot is quite small, but should be hard to miss nonetheless.

What to look for on the trail

In a nutshell, here’s what to keep an eye out for when walking Otter Mound Preserve:

Birds – The preserve is steadily acquiring a reputation as a fine birding spot on Marco. A few notable sightings include hawks, mockingbirds, and warblers. Take a look below for a comprehensive list taken from a flyer discussing the preserve.

Historic Outhouse – As stated above, the historic outhouse is all that remains of an old home that existed on the property; a serene rustic sight among the shrubbery. Don’t worry, the outhouse smell is long, long gone.

Flora – The preserve classifies as a tropical hardwood hammock, which is typical of Everglades forestry (remarkable considering the preserve’s location in the Marco Estates suburb). Soapberry, strangler fig, and yellow elder account for a few native species. Because a home previously existed on site, non-native species such as mango and poinciana coexist with the native greenery as well.

Fauna – Aside from birds, gopher tortoises are the main critters you should expect to see. In all likelihood, they will also make an appearance in the neighborhood prior to your arrival to the preserve! Other potential animal species include opossums, armadillos, and raccoons.

Some Final Notes

• The majority of the preserve is shaded, meaning you should have a comfortable hike even on a hot day!
• If it’s a wet day though, mosquitos may present a problem, so plan accordingly!
• The path is made of mulch, so closed toe shoes probably would be a better pick.
• There are benches along the way, but no bathrooms or water fountains on site.

We absolutely recommend hitting up Otter Mound Preserve and appreciating the natural and historic wonders that await!