New Panoramic Photograph of Yamato Scrub
By John Potter
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I was recently on business in Boca Raton, Florida and on my way back I noticed a sign for Yamato Scrub Natural Area. I usually plan these things, but I had my camera with me, so what the heck. I didn’t get to walk all of the trails, but I did walk about half a mile in.
Yamato Scrub Natural Area is relatively new, having opened in October of 2007 and the parking lot doesn’t even show up on Google Earth at the time I’m writing this. It is owned by the state, the county, and the city jointly if I understand correctly. At 217 acres it’s scale is impressive. It is primarily comprised of scrub, but there is also a small wetland basin that was apparently nearly destroyed in the 60s and Herculean effort has gone into restoring it. The brochures at the entrance are very comprehensive with a handy wildlife guide and all in full color. The park does have a paved parking lot, a bike rack and a small kiosk, but there is nothing else but 2.4 miles of hiking trail.
My initial impression of the place was that it had few visitors, and that is more an educated guess than anything, but it could make spotting wildlife a more realistic possibility. Unfortunately in my time there I only spotted some small birds.
My honest impression of Yamato Scrub Natural Area was not very positive. Although an environment worthy of protection as much as any other scrub areas just aren’t very aesthetically appealing to me. Slash pines and saw palmettos are the bulk of the foliage and you can see why these areas are so fire prone when you see it up close. Although 2.4 miles of hiking trails is a lot, they are paved like a sidewalk and combined with the irrigation system you occasionally spot exposed and the visible development along the perimeter the place has a McNatural feel to it for me. The paved trails might be fun to rollerblade or bike on, but those activities are prohibited.
I’m glad the area is protected, but I don’t think I’ll be spending a lot of time there.
Yamato Scrub Natural Area is located at 701 Clint Moore Rd Boca Raton, Florida.
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Great photo! There are some narrow, unpaved nature trails here too. The longest loop is off to the right of the sidewalk after you cross the bridge over the canal. It’s a pretty cool little trail through tall pines and scrub.