Development at Little Hamaca Park
Key West City Manager Jim Scholl has been directed to investigate the feasibility of developing a sports field complex at Little Hamaca Park.Last Stand has historically supported the conservation use of the park. One section is designated as White Crown Pigeon Park because it is frequented by this endangered species.
A nature trail with wooden boardwalk offers handicap access through uplands hardwood hammock, the last vestige remaining on the island, and views of tidal salt pond areas.
We've done some research, here are a few of the plant species identified by the Institute for Regional Conservation that have a protected status and have been conserved by the passive use of Little Hamaca Park.
Common Name - Scientific Name - Habit - State of FL Status
Bahama strongbark - Bourreria succulent - Tree - Endangered
Saltmarsh false foxglove - Agalinis maritima - Herb - Rare
Keys ageratum - Ageratum maritimum - Herb - Imperiled
Coastal ragweed - Ambrosia hispida - Herb - Rare
Key West threeawn - Aristida floridana - Herb - Critically Imperiled
Rough strongbark - Bourreria tomentosa - Tree - Endangered
Locustberry - Byrsonima lucida - Shrub - Rare
Satinleaf - Chrysophyllum oliviforme - Tree - Threatened
Maidenberry - Crossopetalum rhacoma - Shrub -Threatened
Saltgrass - Distichlis spicata - Herb - Rare
Blacktorch - Erithalis fruticose - Shrub - Threatened
Porter’s sandmat - Euphorbia porteriana - Herb - Endangered
Joewood - Jacquinia keyensis - Shrub - Threatened
Green sprangletop - Leptochloa dubia - Herb - Rare
Brittle thatch palm - Leucothrinax morrisii - Tree - Threatened
Wild dilly - Manilkara jaimiqui - Tree - Threatened
Florida mayten - Maytenus phyllanthoides - Shrub - Threatened
Keygrass - Monanthochloe littoralis - Herb - Rare
Simpson’s stopper - Myrcianthes fragrans - Tree - Threatened
Erect pricklypear - Opuntia stricta - Shrub - Threatened
Florida Keys blackbead - Pithecellobium keyense - Shrub - Threatened
Darlingplum - Reynosia septentrionalis - Tree - Threatened
Annual glasswort - Salicornia bigelovii - Herb - Rare
Bahama nightshade - Solanum bahamense - Shrub - Rare
Mullein nightshade - Solanum donianum - Shrub - Threatened
Yellow necklacepod - Sophora tomentosa - Shrub - Rare
Florida thatch palm - Thrinax radiate - Tree - Threatened
Sweet acacia - Vachellia farnesiana - Shrub - Rare
Curacao bush - Varronia bullata - Shrub - Endangered
These along with more common and stable plants support a variety of wildlife and migratory birds. We believe it's important to sustain the passive nature of this often underutilized park so that future residents and visitors will be able to glimpse what the island looked like prior to anthropogenic changes.