What a pretty small wild area this is!…read more It's located just north of Hypoluxo Island, very close to the Lantana Municipal Beach (reachable by foot) and has one side on the Intracoastal. It is a busy road, but it's kind of hidden and there are no big signs indicating the entrance. The parking lot is very small, but when we went there, we were actually the only ones. There is a gazebo at the beginning of the path, which is not paved, but no restrooms. The preserve is very small and you will walk it for just about 15 minutes, but it is so peaceful! I also love the fact that it's so full of trees and that makes the path completely shaded; there are also a few benches outside the main trail, where you can spend some relaxing time.

We stopped here on our way back from lunch. We weren't sure about walking the trail(s) as it had…read morejust started to rain and thunder. There's parking in a small lot. The preserve is located on the north side of Ocean Avenue. There's a separate entrance and exit for cars. So we only got to see a very little bit of the preserve. However, I loved that they had great signage telling you what to look for in plant and animal life. And a small covered area just as you started the trail(s). This place is great for a little bit of hiking/walking, some birdwatching, photography, and communing with nature. You get to see a little bit of what Florida used to look like before all the construction and increase in human population. We will have to come back when it's cooler and drier to explore some more.

Connected to Bryant park, it's a quick stroll to this area from the parking lot…read more There were two fishing piers, area to launch kayaks and boat docks. It sits behind a city golf course and under Lake Worth bridge. Pet friendly and scenic intercoastal views.

The Snook Islands used to be a dead zone in the Lake Worth lagoon. Palm Beach County's Environment…read moreResource Management Team has rehabilitated this 118 acre area and now it is home to hundreds of birds as well as marine life. Manatees are returning to the area as well. As part of the clean up effort 11 acres of mangroves were planted and two oyster beds were created that that clean up the lagoon by filtering out the water. Four islands were made from fill taken from Peanut Island. Wildlife that has been spotted include the American oystercatcher, Common snook, green sea turtle, and West Indian manatee. There is a 545 foot long boardwalk and observation platform that provides a beautiful view of the lagoon. There is also a 590-foot long fishing pier. There is a small lot for launching your canoe or kayak. You can't park here even though it is close to the boardwalk and fishing pier. Parking is down the street at Bryant Park and you have to walk up past the golf course. I was told that if you attempt to park in the water craft launch area you will be ticketed or towed. Other amenities include two bicycle racks, educational kiosks and three benches. This natural area runs along the base of the bridge. This area is ecologically important as well as beautiful. I saw so many birds on one the man islands off the coast. Although you can see from the boardwalk and fishing pier I feel the best way to experience this area would be by kayak. I plan to rent one in the area as soon as the weather cools down a bit.

Pine Jog Environmental Education Center is a non profit run by FAU. It is located on the same…read morecampus as the Pine Jog Elementary School. They are "dedicated to developing, researching, and disseminating educational programs and services that cultivate environmentally literate and engaged communities." The land Pine Jog sits on was first owned by Henry Flagler in 1893 as part of his Model Land Company. In 1930 it was sold and became part of the Lake Worth Drainage District. Throughout the 1940's it was used for farming and cattle grazing. In 1946, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Kay purchased the property and named it Pine Jog Plantation, after the pines that inhabited the land and the road that it bordered, Jog Road. At Pine Jog Plantation the Kay's grew flowers, fruits and vegetables. In the early 19460's trails were cleared through the pinewoods and two main buildings, classrooms, and offices were built. The 135 acre site is open to the public 9:00am -4:30pm, Monday through Friday and Saturdays 9-2. Restrooms are available at the environmental center when it is open. The buildings are the first LEED Gold-certified school in the state of Florida. Behind the environmental center there are over three miles of walking trails through mostly undisturbed Florida pine flatwoods. Trails include the Main Blue Trail (1 mile), Orange Trail (.4 mile) leading to the boardwalk & Chickee Hut, Purple Trail (.2 mile), Brown Trail (.2 mile), Yellow Trail (.3 mile), Red Trail (.1 mile), Green Trail (.3 mile), and White Trail (.05 mile) leading to Bill's Bench dedicated to Bill Bill Hutchinson, a naturalist, explorer, activist, and teacher. The property also has a pond with surrounding wetland, five acres of upland hammock, a butterfly garden, and coastal dune habitats along with interpretive signs. Every year the center today hosts over 25,000 students, 750 teachers, and 12,500 adults and families annually. Programs include a summer camp, school experiences, playscape, and week-long residential research institutes for high school and undergraduate students. Follow Pine Jog on Facebook for updates on programs and happenings or just stop by for a hike as I did. It is always nice to explore Florida's natural side.

This is an excellent place to learn and recharge. The trails are well maintained and the Jane Hart…read moreplaque in the pavilion is beautiful and beautifully placed. This is a great place for meetings and learning. I highly recommend it.

There is an abundance of park land in this corner of Palm Beach County. The large 51.23 acre…read moreGreenacres Freedom Park is right across the street from the 1,700 acre Okeeheelee Park. Whatever outdoor recreation you favor, you can find it in this area. If you have a shorter amount of time I would recommend Freedom Park over Okeeheelee. There is still plenty to do here at Freedom Park. My favorite part of this park is the exercise path that runs along the perimeter of scenic wetlands that attract common moorhens, ducks, and egrets. There is even outdoor exercise machines for more cardio and muscle building. This part of the park is perfect for nature lovers. For children ,there is a really colorful and fun covered playground area, a bankshot basketball court, and a storywalk that has different stations that brings together the joy of reading and being outdoors. Stations are installed along trails and children and their families can stop and read and ask and answer questions. Storywalks like this one promote literacy and outdoor exercise while fostering family bonding. Other park amenities include restrooms, a lighted soccer field, concession area, grills, picnic shelter, and a popular pickleball court. One of the standouts of this park is how spacious it feels which allows room for events, parties, and sports. The park is cleaned and well maintained with ample parking. This is the kind of park that will equally appeal to those looking for a peaceful place to unwind as well as those looking to be active. With a wide range of activities available for residents and visitors, there is something for all ages to enjoy.

This is a large city park (just over 50 acres) centered around a beautiful lake in the middle…read more It is open until 10 pm. And very popular with all sorts of groups and families. It was formerly called pinehurst park due to the street it's located on. The street is west of and parallels Jog Road, but it is a quieter less developed drive lined with pine trees. It's a perfect preliminary and pretty bit of nature -- before you enter the park. There are quite a number of facilities at the park including several athletic/soccer fields (4?), picnic pavilions (available for rent), a children's playground that has a rain cover, a colorful basketball court (for kids) with nets of all different heights, benches, walking paths (a parkour), and pickle ball courts. And I've probably missed a few... You can be as active as you'd like, or just sit and relax and watch the water or enjoy nature. I'm definitely coming back here when I have more time.

Great place to visit. Plan your hike and go.. Authentic…read morenatural habitat for gopher turtles and furry woodland creatures .

Eco Park is a nature preserve in the 550 acre Quantum Corporate Park. In 2020 it was the largest…read moreundeveloped tract left in the city. It was purchased with the goal of transforming it into a residential, retail, entertainment, and industrial complex. The park is named in honor of long time Boynton Beach real estate breaker Thomas Albert McGillicuddy (1936-2019). The 60 acre Eco Park was created in 1988 when Quantum Park Plat #3 was filed with the County. 23 acres were designated as an active park and the rest off the park is a natural upland pine flatland preserve. The park has a large parking lot and natural earth trails that a run a mile and half throughout the park. During my visit I first took the trail along the water where I saw common moorhens swimming. The trail then curved back into the pineland preserve where I saw threatened gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises have been hunted for meat, run over by vehicles, and sold as pets but the greatest blow to their population has been the destruction of their habitat. It was so nice to see them safely protected in the park. I really enjoyed my hike here today. The city has asked residents for ideas on what amenities they would like added to the park. Hopefully kayak launches, picnic pavilions, restrooms, paved trails and a boardwalk will be added to increase the recreational use of the park.

The Loxahatchee Slough is a 10,391 acre Natural Area that was acquired by Palm Beach in 1996. An…read moreadditional 2,190 acres were purchased in between 2000 and 2007. The County also leases 257 acres from the South Florida Water Management District and 3 acres from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Loxahatchee Slough is actually three separate tracts, the largest of which sits north of PGA Boulevard. There are two access points to the main trail. One is the Bluegill Trail at Sandhill Crane Access Park where there is water, parking and restrooms, and the other is the Pantano Trail from River Bend Park along Indiantown Road. According to the county's Environmental Resources Management Department, Loxahatchee Sloughis the largest and most biologically diverse natural area managed by Palm Beach County. This preserve contains the historic headwaters of the Loxahatchee Wild and Scenic River and has nine native Florida ecosystems: mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, mesic hammock, hydric hammock, wet prairie, depression marsh, slough marsh, strand swamp, and dome swamp. This area attracts many birds. Ninety three different species of birds have been recorded here including limpkins, white ibis, fish crows, common grackles, rock pigeons, red wing blackbirds, American robins, and cedar waxwings. There are also hundreds of plant and animal species. Some of the plants that have been seen are the pineland daisy, jack-in-the-pulpit, Florida tassel flower, fringed yellow star grass, southeastern primrose willow, swamp forest beaks edge, bull tongue arrowhead, fire flag, red mulberry, and swamp bay. Animals found here include the Florida apple snail, handsome Florida grasshopper, gray-green club tail, red ear sunfish, little grass frog, striped mud turtle, wood duck, Florida sandhill crane, bobolink, and Sherman's fox squirrel. Many of the plants and animals found here are endangered or threatened. Through the years this area has been negatively impacted by over drainage, agricultural use, and invasion of non native plant species. Extensive restoration has been done to remove removal invasive non native plants, fill in the drainage ditches and shell mining pits, and replace the culverts leading to the C-18 Canal. This natural area is part of the Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Palm Beach County manages the site with the assistance of the City of Palm Beach Gardens. The Florida Trail Association maintains the 4.5-mile segment of the Ocean to Lake Trail that passes through this area. This area can be biked, hiked, paddled, or traversed by horseback.

We parked on the street and walked past all of the foliage west towards the water. There were lots…read moreof benches, water fountains & paths that felt very secure after dark. Lots of joggers and bikers enjoying the beautiful waterfront. Clean beautiful bathrooms, a lovely fountain, a real hidden treasure!

This is a passive park on the shores of Lake Mangonia. Park amenities include a walking/ jogging…read morepath, playground, and benches. There are beautiful large banyan and royal poinciana trees in the park. The playground is currently closed and there are no restrooms and very limited parking. This park is a popular place for people who live in the Lake Mangonia neighborhood to work out and watch the sun set.

Beach Ocean Inlet…read morePark is pretty much what you would think when you hear the name: a spit of land at the Boynton Inlet that allows boats to transit between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Ocean proper. The Park is undergoing some construction / renovation at the moment but it is usually busy on weekends with much easier access during the week - no surprise. On the Intracoastal Waterway side there is a small beach area, which offers an area to splash in without getting hammered by big rollers, some picnic kiosks and a paddleboard rental guy. There are no lifeguards on the Intracoastal Waterway side, so keep an eye on the littles. You can walk over busy A1A to the ocean side as well, if that is your preference. Currently there are no concessions for food except some soda machines and parking can be an absolute nightmare on weekends. I prefer the Intracoastal side to be honest as there are some trees I can sit under Give it a go if in the area.