On February 1, former mayor Gold leads a tour of Sandy Ridge Sanctuary

Coral Springs, Florida – On Saturday, February 1, Roy Gold, a former mayor of Coral Springs, will lead groups of locals and visitors on his monthly nature tour of Sandy Ridge Sanctuary.

Gold will guide visitors on a walk through the 38-acre park at 9 a.m. to explore the area he assisted in preserving in the 1990s.

The trip, which starts at 8501 NW 40th Street, follows a meandering walk through the park, offering views of a sizable bog and a fish-filled lake that the city developed.

On the first Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m., the Parks and Recreation Department of Gold and the City of Coral Springs provide guided tours of Sandy Ridge Sanctuary. Depending on the group’s age, skill level, and level of interest, the trips usually take between thirty and an hour and a half.

To volunteer or schedule a tour, call 954-345-2112 and speak with Louis Goldstein.

Sandy Ridge Sanctuary, an important element of Coral Springs’ past, serves as a refuge for native Florida animals, including gopher tortoises. The sanctuary is a gopher tortoise preserve that is registered with the state and has particular regulations, limitations, and upkeep needs.

Since their natural habitats were lost during development, the city has moved a number of tortoises to the park throughout the years.

Numerous plant species, such as Florida Slash Pines, oaks, and bald cypress, can also be found in the sanctuary.

Gold came up with an idea in 1994 after observing how quickly the city was developing.

The city established a $7.5 million ecologically sensitive property bond issue to buy some of the remaining forested properties inside the municipal borders after a citizen-led campaign.

The sum increased to $10 million with a $2.5 million state grant. Red Lichen Sanctuary, Pine Flats Preserve, Cypress Gateway, and Sandy Ridge Sanctuary are the four parks that the city was able to acquire because to it.

The area was supposed to be built into 195 zero-lot dwellings prior to the 1994 bond issuance. The concept of wearing orchids as wrist corsages was created by the landowner, Charlie Bosco, who produced orchids.

The date of the upcoming tour is set for Saturday, March 1, 2025.