Shingle Creek Regional Park is home to abundant native wildlife, including endangered and protected species. Early settlers harvested cypress trees for building shingles, giving the Headwaters of the Everglades the name Shingle Creek. A well-preserved example of an early settler's home can be viewed by paddling the creek. At the turn of the century, bridges were built over Shingle Creek to serve residents and businesses, and the transport of citrus and cattle was vital to commerce. Today, hikers and bicyclists use new bridges, while remnants of the old bridge abutments remain visible along the creek.