Existing Conditions

The Temple Crest Center Park shoreline consists predominantly of a mixture of freshwater marsh and riverine forest. Several large laurel oaks (Quercus laurifolia) and cabbage palms (Sabal palmetto) provide canopy along the shoreline, but the cover is not high enough to classify the entire shoreline as a riverine forest. The shoreline consists primarily of a freshwater marsh with intermittent laurel oak and cabbage palm hammock. This system contained a large percentage of nuisance species including: air potato (Dioscorea buldifera), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), paragrass (Brachiaria mutica) and creeping ox-eye (Wedelia trilobata). Native species found within this system included: dayflower (Commelina sp.), beauty berry (Callicarpa americana) and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). There is evidence of encroachment by upland species including: common beggarticks (Bidens alba), dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) and scarlet milkweed (Asclepias curassavica). The shoreline is gradual in most places with the exception of a small seawall surrounding a drainage pipe.
This shoreline is adjacent to the Hillsborough River and a large, upland park. The upland portion of Temple Crest Center Park is narrow in some places, but overall is a large park with scattered oaks. The upland would provide some suitable supporting habitat for species that may utilize the shoreline. It is anticipated that the shoreline provides habitat for fish, amphibians and wading birds. The Hillsborough River also allows for access to the shoreline by fish and wading birds.
The habitat quality rating is moderate for the freshwater marsh, freshwater marsh/riverine forest, and rip-rapped shorelines; and minimal for the sea-walled shoreline. Temple Crest has a high exotic removal priority rating due to the percentage of nuisance and exotic species.

Existing Plans and Historical Plans

No existing plans from stakeholder agencies.

Future Plans

The City of Tampa has identified this park as a potential priority for restoration.

Recommendations

Short Term: 1) Volunteers to remove the nuisance species; in particular, the air potato vine and Brazilian pepper. 2) Volunteers to monitor, and if necessary, remove re-growth of exotic species on a regularly scheduled basis. 3) Volunteers to remove litter.
Long Term: Pursue funding in conjunction with stakeholder agencies to restore freshwater marsh species and riparian canopy species.

Links

Aquatic and Wetland Plants and Invasive Plants in Florida

Field Guide to the Rare Plants and Animals in Florida Online

Florida's Breeding Bird Atlas

Freshwater Fisheries Management

Marshes: tidal and non-tidal

Online Guide to the Snakes of Florida

Temple Crest Center

Wildlife Viewing