Designed to connect with a series of planned nature trails
Henderson Creek Bridge
Photo by Peggy Farren/FORB
The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve pedestrian bridge over Henderson Creek is a project that was envisioned more than ten years ago as a component of the master plan for the Reserve’s Environmental Learning Center. The bridge is designed to connect with a series of planned nature trails and a boardwalk on the south side of the creek that offer exceptional opportunities for visitors to get up close and personal with a variety of native habitats and wildlife.

Completed in November 2009

The bridge project began in 2006 with a $783,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) matched by $444,000 from the State of Florida for a project total of $1,227,000. The unique characteristics of the bridge design include a second story entrance, continuously downward slope to meet ADA requirements, and a curve to the right before terminating in the uplands on the opposite site of the creek. The bridge is 440 feet in total length and includes a custom designed 75-foot-long fiberglass trussed free-span over the navigable portion of the creek engineered to withstand 140 mph hurricane wind speeds. The bridge was built by Nature Bridges, Inc. of Monticello, Florida, and was completed in November 2009.

Trails and Boardwalks

Currently the bridge is open for guided walks only while construction on the trail and boardwalk system gets underway. Upon completion of these, the bridge will be open continuously during Environmental Learning Center hours of operation for the public to enjoy.
 

Menu