| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
|
| | | | |
 |  | ||
| Turnbull Bay is a little hard to find, but worth the effort. It has been considered an environmental masterpiece by writers and residents alike for many years. Long before the advent of automobiles and air conditioning, mankind has enjoyed the diverse habitat found in and around Turnbull Bay, Spruce Creek Preserve and the Atlantic Ocean. European explorers who first came to the New World in the late 15th century reported an indigenous people known as the “Timuca”. Their tribe had been living in what is now Volusia County for more than 1000 years. These people were able to thrive because of the rich natural resources available in this area. Prehistoric mounds bear testimony to the plentiful shellfish and speak of a complex social structure. One of the largest and most important archaeological sites yet discovered in Florida is The Spruce Creek Mound. This giant shell “midden” and earthwork is located on a high bluff in the 2,000 acre Spruce Creek Preserve. Spruce Creek is an ecological showcase. Located adjacent to the Turnbull Bay Golf Club, The preserve contains a unique, natural blackwater stream that courses through the Spruce Creek Basin. There are few examples of this type of river left undisturbed in Florida. The term “blackwater” refers to the tannic acid staining caused by the swampy vegetation in the low-lying upper reaches of the creek. The navigable portion of the river itself begins as a shallow cypress swamp some ten miles upstream from it’s confluence with the Halifax river. This swamp gives way to a narrow stream that very gradually broadens downstream into Strickland Bay. As the river courses towards the coast, the associated aquatic habitats gradually change from typical freshwater hardwood swamp to freshwater marsh to saltwater marsh and mangrove swamp in a classic estuarine ecosystem. Spruce Creek enjoys a Class III water quality rating, and an Outstanding Florida Waters designation due to its relatively undisturbed condition, and is also designated as an official State Canoe trail. This natural area lends itself well to environmentally related research and educational activities. The river is host to a variety of endangered species and special wildlife areas, including: crab/shrimp nursery areas, diverse fish and invertebrate breeding and nursery areas, nesting areas for birds such as the American Oyster Catcher, the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, the Florida Sandhill Crane, and a great variety of raptors, Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers, and the endangered wood stork. The rare Atlantic salt marsh snake has been observed, and of course, many Alligators. It is this diversity in aquatic habitat, flora and fauna that makes Spruce Creek and Turnbull Bay such a unique natural resource. The biological diversity and contrast between upstream and downstream areas in the Spruce Creek and Turnbull Bay watersheds make this an extremely unique, natural area that is ideal for many types of recreational uses such as boating, fishing, bird watching, canoeing, hiking and of course golf. The residents and golfers of Turnbull Bay enjoy a part of Florida that is barely remembered. Turnbull Bay Golf Club painstakingly protects and retains the native plants and grasses keeping the natural look and feel of a woods and wet land areas. Cord and pampas grasses, wild azaleas, lantana, tropical ferns, palmettos, palms, along with Turnbull’s signature hammock oaks all perform their role in making this a memorable round. These native species line the fairways and surround the tees and greens. From the shell cart paths to the many conservation areas Turnbull Bay retains the look and feel of a Florida from hundreds of years ago. Once you have played Turnbull, you fondly recount every hole by one of the many natural features the course is designed around. Calling Turnbull Bay home places you in the center of a diverse and wonderful environment. Careful stewardship by the golf course maintains a habit for otters, gopher tortoises, bald eagles, herons, turkeys and the rare endangered wood storks. Truly this property offers living opportunities unusual for modern day Florida. Animals outnumber residents, yet Turnbull Bay is minutes away from area beaches, excellent restaurants, and the many artistic and cultural events New Smyrna Beach has to offer. This quiet beach town has miles of sandy shore with quaint shops dotting the beach side. All the attractions of Metropolitan Orlando are an hour’s drive and Daytona. “The World’s Most Famous Beach” is a mere few minutes. New Smyrna Beach boasts a sleepy oceanfront community picturesque and friendly, but close to everywhere. Living for some is just a place to lay their hat, but Turnbull Bay is more. Come, visit, and you’ll see why vacationers and residents alike have decided to live here and play here. |  | ||
 | |||
 | |||
| |||
 |
