Truly beautiful local trail, we did about 2.5 miles and there is more to walk through! It's clean…read moreand kept up, there are many places to have some food take breaks or just enjoy nature. We saw lots of tortoises and some turtles too! No alligators today but there were signs for caution. Overall, will come again!

This natural area was a delightful discovery next to the Palm Bay Library. The sanctuary sits on a…read moresmall section of what was once an ancient Atlantic Ocean dune which was part of a series of dunes formed by wind and wave action when the ocean extended across Florida. Through many years the sand was enriched so that a forest grew where only sea oats previously survived. The land that makes up Turkey Creek Sanctuary was donated to the Florida Audubon Society and the City of Palm Bay in 1978. Fundraising to conserve the area began in 1981 by a citizen support group which is still in existence today as the Turkey Creek Sanctuary Society, Inc., a registered non profit. The purpose of the Turkey Creek Sanctuary Society is to raise funds to support the improvement and upkeep of Turkey Creek Sanctuary and to educate the community on the vital importance and the many benefits of Florida wildlife and its natural environment. By 1994, 113 acres were protected by the voluntary management committee. Today Turkey Creek Sanctuary is part of the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) program which added acres to the sanctuary in 2004. It is also a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Some of the birds you might see here include ospreys and owls in the old pine canopy and woodpeckers and the rare purple martin. There are also alligators, manatees, gar fish, and turtles in Turkey Creek which can be accessed by canoe or kayak. Turkey Creek Sanctuary has more than three miles of marked trails through 130 acres of sand pines, saw palmettos, and live oaks. There is a 1.85 mile boardwalk that passes through a hydric hammock, mesic hammock, and sand pine scrub community. Also in the sanctuary there are 1.5 miles of jogging trails through native forest and a 1 mile mountain bike trail that connects to an additional 8 miles. The Margaret Hames Nature Center was opened in 1992 and offers interpretive exhibits, a restroom, and environmental education programs that include nature day camps, tours, nature library, and a gift store. I loved my hike at Turkey Creek Sanctuary. I started off by visiting the Margaret Hames Nature Center where you can see exhibits, use the restroom. and purchase a drink. Near the entrance to the boardwalk I spotted a gopher tortoise wandering around. The boardwalk area was mainly shaded with lots of interpretive signs. My favorite spots were the tree house and the Oli Johnson Canoe Deck where you can look for alligators and turtles. This is such a beautiful spot. If I lived closer I would be a regular visitor.

This huge preserve is 35 square miles. Admission is free. The preserve was created when the state…read moreof Florida bought up large tracts of land in 1995 to preserve the watershed to the St. Sebastian River and the Indian River Lagoon. In addition to protecting the water the land also protects rare and endangered species of plants and animals. The preserve is made up of grassy forests and the long leaf pine that was common before the development of Florida. Here you will find the biological communities of cypress dome, scrubby flat woods, sand hills, and strand swamp. The preserve contains one of Florida's largest populations of scrub jays, a species listed as vulnerable. Many native plants and animals make their home here including over 50 protected species. Animals that can be found here include the red-cockaded woodpecker, Bachman's sparrow, Eastern indigo snakes, bald eagles, wild turkeys, river otters, bobcats, and tortoises. This preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Travel in the preserve is along unpaved roads. There is a buffer road that runs along the C-54 canal. In November through March you can find manatees in the canal. There is a platform to view them at the end of the buffer road. The preserve is divided into quadrants by the Fellsmere Canal and by I-95. Each quadrant has long hiking trails. There are over 60 miles of hiking trails through 22,000 acres of wilderness. There is a visitor's center at the entrance that is staffed Friday through Sunday. You can hike, bike, or horseback ride the preserve. From this preserve you can canoe, boat, and fish the St. John's River. There are six primitive camp sites which can only be reached by hiking. Hiking trails include red, yellow, and blue and can be rough because they are also used by horses. Along some of the trails you can see the remains of homesteads from when the land was used for growing citrus, ranching, turpentining, and logging. The preserve contains a portion of the rails to trails path, a hiking and biking trail along the abandoned Trans Florida Central Rail incorporated in 1924. The surface of the trail hasn't been decided on yet and there are few signs marking it. As a sign in the park says this is the real Florida. Photographers, nature lovers, hikers, and equestrians will love exploring this vast open wilderness. Come see Florida the way Mother Nature intended.

This place was very interesting and the preserve itself is massife! With more than four nearly ten…read moremile trails available this park has enough hiking experiences for almost anybody. I love the scrub forest and natural beauty of this place. The river in warmer times is a prime place to see manatees on their journeys around the area. Unfortunately for me my visit was not one of those days. This park is free to visit and they've got a visitor center that's open on Friday Saturday and Sunday. I believe they also have a number of different hikes and activities during the year as well. There are a number of different birds and other animals making their homes here and the whole place provides a wonderful natural escape. Highly recommended!

One of my favorite parks in Florida! I've been coming here for years and can't believe I've never…read moresubmitted a review?! It's one of Florida's most popular State Parks with camping, fishing, and beach / surfing being the primary draws. There are clean bathrooms and changing areas and multiple picnic tables for everyone's use. The Inlet's swift incoming and outgoing tides can be treacherous and only skilled boaters should attempt navigating through them from the ocean side to the river side (and vice-versa) during those times. The main fishing pier / jetty is on the north side of the inlet where on any given day the protective railings are lined with enthusiastic and faithful fishermen. There's an abundance of fish here and occasionally sharks - which doesn't seem to matter to the surfers who find some of the best wave action here on the east coast of Florida. It cost me $5.00 (motorcycle) to get in and cars are $8.00. The park operating hours are 8am to sundown, however the South Ranger Station is open for after hours access for registered campers, or visitors with an annual visitor's pass and an after hours permit. This is a great state park and I encourage you to visit it if you're in the area. 5/5 Stars!

This place is great for everyone. Great place to fish,swim,play in the sand, catch crabs and bait…read morefish. There is a beach side and another side that has less waves for the smaller kids likings but super fun for everyone. Also a long pier for fishing. They have a bait shop and bathrooms and showers on the board walk to the beach. Nice clear water and lots of fun. I really enjoy coming here on the weekends for fun in the sun.

Castaway Point Park is a small park sitting on a peninsula between the Indian River Lagoon and the…read moremouth of Turkey Creek. While it may not be as big as some of the other area parks it has been recently renovated and the location makes this a standout spot for water based recreational activities. This park was also a favorite spot of the Native Americans and early settlers who once lived here. Recent improvements to the park include hardening of the shoreline with rocks, new north observation pier, a new boardwalk connecting the north and south pier, and new decking for the south observation pier. Other park amenities include a concrete walkway, fishing piers with fish cleaning stations, benches, pavilions which can be rented, picnic tables, grills, kayak/canoe launch, and restrooms. This park has one of the only natural beaches on the Indian River Lagoon. Many people visit this park to fish from the piers and beach. I loved it for the stunning river view and the diverse bird life it attracts. I saw anhinga, great blue herons, and egrets. If you are lucky you may even spot a manatee or dolphin. I recommend coming here for an amazing sunset view.

Castaway Point Park is a small park located at the end of a quiet street just off of a main street…read morein Palm Bay, Florida. It really is a cool park and provided a great spot to take a conference call and enjoy a peaceful water view. There were people wading in the water and others, like myself, were chilling and just enjoying the view. Again, it is not a large park, but Castaway Point Park seems to be a hidden gem in Palm Bay. This in itself is a good thing as it is always amazing to find these little known places in the course of my travels. They had a building housing rest rooms and the park itself was well maintained. I truly enjoyed my time here at Castaway Point Park and I will definitely return to this cool park when I am in the area. I would definitely recommend Castaway Point Park and I give it five stars.

Bonsteel Park is a tranquil 2.34-acre beach park located two miles north of the Sebastian Inlet…read more The park is operated by Brevard County which purchased the land to preserve it in a natural state. The park was named in honor of Louis Bronsteel, a prominent figure in Melbourne Beach, Florida, with a long history of involvement in local government and community organizations. Bonsteel Park amenities include free parking, restroom facility, ADA accessible wooden beach crossover, and a boardwalk that goes from the park to the Barrier Island Ecosystem Sanctuary next door. On A1A at the entrance to the park there are hiking trails. Dolphins and sea turtles have been spotted here. This park is popular destination for swimming, surfing, and surf fishing. The Brevard Zoo Sea Turtle Healing Center uses the beach in Bonsteel Park to release rehabilitated sea turtles. Interestingly Spanish coins have been found from Spanish ship wrecks from 1715 and 1733. Treasure hunters with metal detectors can be spotted combing the beach. While I didn't find any treasure I did have a nice visit on the boardwalk and while exploring a few of the hiking trails.

We live in south FL, so we've never been to this beach before. But we decided to make the 2 1/2…read morehour drive to visit with some friends. The husband LOVES to fish, and he had 3 rods set up on the beach. There were tons of fishermen, definitely a popular place to fish. But also a great place for shelling. My husband caught a Pompano, and I roasted it for dinner. So delicious!! Really nice beach, free parking.

Melbourne Riverview Park Is located on 15.4 acres of the Indian River Lagoon. The city of Melbourne…read moreassumed ownership of Riverview Park from Brevard County in June 2012. Locals and visitors will find amenities for both active recreation as well as relaxation. There are picnic pavilions with tables, grills, restrooms, Scurrah's Landing canoe and kayak launch, and a playground. For 18 years Melbourne Riverview Park has been the site of the Melbourne Farmers Market. It is open 10-2 Every Saturday October - May and the 1st & 3rd Saturday June - Sept. You can fid fresh foods, plants, artisans and more. Whether you are coming for an event or recreation, this park provides a peaceful respite from the busy downtown area. I enjoyed stretching my legs and bird watching over the river. If you have children, the recently renovated playground looks particularly inviting.

This place is meant for the fishing enthusiasts. There's not much of a park other than a swing, a…read morefew benches and and plenty of parking spots. It was a nice little outing for a stroll and that was about it for my family.

Overall, Fred Lee Park is pretty impressive. It has ample parking, a great children's playground,…read morebaseball fields, basketball courts, a couple of pavilions, tennis courts, an open field that looks like it was used maybe for football, and more. The park is very well maintained and again, this park is pretty impressive. Even the garbage cans were empty. Far too often, I see a great park with overflowing trash cans. Here was not the case (at least on the day that I visited). The pavilions are also available to reserve for parties or gatherings. I would definitely recommend a visit to this park. Parks are an integral part of our communities. It is a place where we can gather with our neighbors in recreation and relaxation. Palm Bay, Florida is fortunate to have this particular park for its community. Again, I definitely recommend here and I give it five stars overall as my rating. Go see it for yourself.

We love our time at Fred Lee Park in Palm Bay. Whether you're watching somebody shoot 3-point shots…read moreat the basketball courts, grilling out at one of the covered Pavilions, or just taking a walk with your dog and watching the children play softball is a great time for all ages. There is a covered playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, bathrooms, and two large softball fields all this part needs is a community garden.

The Mikey Goodwin Playground is located in James A. Nance beach front park in Indialantic. In 2022…read morethe playground in Nance Park was redone to honor local teen Mikey Goodwin. Mikey was a talented athlete. One day he came home complaining about blurry vision. It turned out that he had a tumor on his brain stem. He passed away at the age of only 19 from a rare form o brain cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Giloma. After his death his family wanted to give back to the community that supported them through Mikey's illness. They have undertaken several events to fun a cure. These include a 5K and and the Mikey Strong Golf Tournament. After the old playground was taken out, the new playground was installed. It was designed to be larger and ADA compliant and inclusive. Mikey loved the outdoors and always liked to include everyone. The playground is reflective of his generous spirit. To make the playground wheelchair accessible, synthetic turf was used on the ground. Other special features of the playground include communication birds for non-verbal kids and two levels of monkey bars, one at standard height and one lower. The playground equipment was chosen to encourage parallel play where kids of different abilities can play alongside each other. Funding for the playground was raised by volunteers who solicited donations. As someone who works with children with special needs I love the idea of this play space and how it honors a special teen who meant so much to this community.

Built by the community, this playground is all inclusive to include children in wheelchairsread more