PALM BAY - The Ais, a fierce seminomadic tribe, lived along a much different mouth to Turkey Creek until the early 1800s, one swarming with mosquitoes, rich with fish and oysters, and without all the fresh water from 180 miles of canal.

Now, Palm Bay officials hope to recreate the earlier Turkey Creek, maybe without so many mosquitoes.

About 275 acres of islands and land alongside the creek have been obtained during the past decade to create a 2.3-mile "greenway" and "blueway" from the Turkey Creek Sanctuary to the Indian River.

The final parcel was purchased last year and the city is seeking a $100,000 state grant toward building a $200,000 trailhead. Planned are restrooms, parking, a shelter with seating, bicycle racks, signs, trail maps and recreation trails.

The greenway would run from the lagoon to the Turkey Creek Sanctuary, including Goode and Pollak Parks.

"That would complete our portion of the county's showcase Indian River trail," said Eve Owens, city grants coordinator.

"It's a great natural and recreational resource," said Sue Hann, assistant city manager. "It's unique because it's not just a land, but also a water, corridor that connects a lot of property."

As for the Turkey Creek Blueway, or conservation and recreation water route, it has been available to boaters, kayakers and canoeists since long before it got any official designation.

The city years ago put in boat ramps at Goode and Pollak parks along the creek. And a second pier recently was added at Castaway Point Park.

Sediment buildup from the feeder canals has forced clearing the channel a few times, and another post-hurricane dredging and cleanup project are pending. Plus, there's a plan to divert some of the water runoff west, away from the creek.

But the Turkey Creek Greenway, the conservation and recreation land route, won't be complete for at least three years.

The city got a state grant recently to clean up vegetation damaged by the hurricanes at the trailhead and to replace native plants, and planning for the trailhead is ongoing.

The route will be available to walkers, bicyclists and joggers, but not ATVs, motorized vehicles or horses.

"Now, it's up to us to find ways to open it to the public," Owens said. "We're working our way out to the lagoon as the opportunity arises."

Long history

In addition to their value in recreation and conservation, Turkey Creek and its banks hold a special place of prominence in Palm Bay history as the site of the first development for what would become a city approaching a population of 100,000.

With the demise of the Ais, settlers came to take their place and established industries such as citrus and timber that depended on the water transport that Turkey Creek provided.

As the area became known as Palm Bay in the 1920s and the first true developers came in the 1950s, the creek still was the focus of the area.

Only in recent years has attention turned inland as the city expanded.

Local historian and FLORIDA TODAY columnist Weona Cleveland said Turkey Creek provided everything the early natives and settlers needed.

"The soil is very good, and the creek itself provided them with snook, bass, trout, oysters and crabs," she said. "Wild mangroves and elderberries grew on the creek's banks, and the climate was mild."

Space to run, walk

For now, walkers and joggers can go to Turkey Creek Sanctuary, a 113-acre park owned by the city in partnership with the Audubon Society. The property was donated to the city and the Audubon Society in the early 1980s and a boardwalk and more acreage were added in 1985.

Margie and Gilbert Alvarez, who have lived in Palm Bay four years, walk there almost daily. The Alvarezes said they'll enjoy the new Turkey Creek Greenway.

"I'd rather see the little animals we see here than see more houses," Gilbert Alvarez said.

Henry Hutchinson has lived in the city only five months, but he saw many "firsts" in Florida plant life at the sanctuary recently.

"If you have a stressful moment, take these walks here because it will heal you both physically and mentally," said Henry Hutchinson, who has lived in the city only five months.

Contact Jump at 409-1423 or ljump@flatoday.net