Koreshan State Park

Koreshan State Park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipWFCMuR7UY&feature=youtu.be

We as a group had mixed feelings about coming to explore Koreshan State Park. Many of us were worried we would fall into the Estero River, get dirty and wet but luckily none of us did! However, we were able to use team building strategies with our canoeing partners to explore, row the boat safely and still be able to have fun! Koreshan State Park just being 6 miles away from our campus was not only a very close encounter with Southwest Florida's nature but it gave us to option to go on our own time as well. With three phases of our trip including canoeing, natural walk and tour by the park ranger, our trip had a lot of fun events in store for us!

Koreshan State Historic Site

What was enjoyed by most of us was canoeing through the Estero River. We all had our doubts about getting dirty, wet and in the water, but all in all it was part of our nature trip. Listening to Estero, Florida historic national park and its history of its founder was fascinating and new to most of us, since we never really knew where the Estero River crossed as well as who lived in the Koreshan State Historic site. One comment the park ranger mentioned was "this piece of land was thought to be the next Jerusalem" which got us all at a surprise because of how large, unique and natural Koreshan State Park really is and what it still has to offer.

Canoeing Tour

 

Getting to go out on the Estero River and actually get to see what we are learning about was a great change from just reading and talking about it in a classroom.  It makes everything more interesting leading me to want to learn more, especially if it meant getting hands on, going outdoors and exploring.  I enjoyed walking through the nature trails and seeing all the different species of plants that grow in the area, as well as those who we seem are foreign to us such as the Chinese native Bamboo. 

The way the history of the Koreshen State Park and the cult type of community that resided there ties into everything we were learning about our local residence here in Southwest Florida, which was also very interesting.  It explained why there are so many nonnative plants in the area, as well as ones we have grown and preserved in the recent years.  I’ve been going to FGCU for 3 years now and had no idea about the history of the local area, especially an area so close to campus.

Nature Walk

Koreshan was an interesting experience for me. I grew up in Cape Coral so canoeing was nothing new to me, however it had been years since I last stepped foot in one. We took canoes in groups of two down the Estero river and got to experience the peaceful surroundings first-hand. We learned about the brackish water and lower tides that were caused by the development to the North and East of Koreshan. 

After the canoe trip we hiked into the park and learned about the different invasive species that were present. The park Ranger gave a brief history of the cult background of Koreshan, as well as their downfall and what led to it becoming a state park. We were finally given a tour of what was left of the older buildings still standing in the park. I had always known about Koreshan Park but never knew the history behind it. 

Mangoes and Manatees

As we were canoeing through the Estero River, we came across a lot of locals on their canoes and kayaks and them directing us to watch the manatees which stayed under the bridge on our mile long ride. In order to get to the little bridge closer to the end of our mile ride, we encountered some bumps in the road, such as giant braches, local tourists on our path and traffic of our class in the water. After getting through those obstacles we got under a small yet narrow bridge where the manatees are usually found hiding. Once most of us got there in the mid afternoon with our canoes, we were unable to see the manatees in the water or along the water line. It was also very dark under the path so we must of just missed them as we were riding by.

One fun fact we learned was why there was a mango tree living, developing and preserving on salt water land. Usually mango trees are grown in subtropical areas throughout the world and Southwest Florida happens to be one of those places. If grown correctly and in the right season, you would be able to harvest fresh mangoes for 8-10 months out of the year and enjoy fresh, local and organic fruit of your own. During our canoeing trip, the mango tree did not have any mangos growing on it since it is located in salt water land, but in future months to come, there will be times for mangoes to harvest!