Greenways are green spaces that have been closed to motorized vehicles in order to provide people a…read moresafe place to travel and exercise. With no cars, they are typically a great place to enjoy nature and spot wildlife. The Cypress Creek Greenway is 16.5 miles from the everglades to the ocean. The trail was mainly constructed between 2009 and 2012 and it is the longest stretch of paved recreational path in Broward County. The segment closest to where I live runs from Fern Forest Nature Center to 441. The entirety of the trail runs between Lyons Rd. and Sanibel Dr., just east of Sawgrass Expressway. The trail is asphalt and concrete making it ideal for walking, running, and biking. For three miles of the trail it parallels Southgate Boulevard on one side and the C-14 Canal on the other. While walking the greenway today I spotted wading birds and an Osprey diving for fish. The trail used to end at Fern forest but another segment was recently added that takes it to the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately the new segment of the trail is not directly linked to the old section. Instead you have to travel along the bike lane on Lyons Road 1.6 miles to McNab road before reconnecting to the Cypress Creek Greenway. Bike travel on Lyons road can be potentially dangerous. On the western end of the trail parking is available in Tamarac at Tephford Park Playground and the Gary B. Jones Park for People and Pups. On the east end of the trail parking is available at the end of Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach. There is also parking at Fern Forest nature Center. One thing to note is that the greenway does not have any shade so it is best in the cooler months. There are a few benches along the way and it passes the Margate Boat Ramp. I had an enjoyable time looking for birds and walking off some of the turkey day dinner today. With the dip in temperature, this is a a fun trail to come out and explore.

This area just knocked my socks off…read more I couldn't believe that I was so close to an industrial area just east of busy Dixie Highway, yet it felt like being in a whole other world. A quiet secluded place where you could hear your heart beat. It made me think that this is what many areas of old Florida used to look like. Kind of scruffy vegetation, almost desert like it was so dry and sandy in spots. You have to come here. Even if you don't do the short-ish walk, it's on paved pathways --and you are urged to stay on the paths and not wander off thereby endangering the endangered species of plants, etc. Occasionally, there are shelters for shade. There were no other people or cars when we stopped by. We got to explore a bit -- we didn't walk the entire path as it was in the 80's and quite hot (and we weren't dressed properly), but we did get to see cactus, and some pretty flowers, and moss, and various palms, etc. etc. And we read about the history of this type of landscape and how there are very few places like this still left in the state. I think if I worked or lived nearby, I'd come here often. Just to escape the buzz of civilization. But, it does feel a bit isolated so you might want to visit with a friend. I'm so glad we got to see this....

Interesting Florida landscape. We are visiting and wanted to explore. This may be as foresty as…read moreFL gets. Easy to find, mostly paved 1/4 to 1/2 mile short trail. There were very few people there and numerous parking spots. We enjoyed the signage, the history of FL land, indigenous plants wildlife... well kept park

Very small park in Coconut Creek. A hidden gem. There is a walkway around the circumference of…read morethe park that takes you up to the Cypress trees and the reserved natural area and near the canal that warns of gators and snakes . There are many pavilions each with a water fountain, a restroom building, a kids playground, a sand volleyball court, concrete corn hole game, and 2 concrete pads for pavilions that were never built. There is plenty of parking . This park is easily accessible by walking from a rental community and a gated housing community. I took my miniature dachshund for some exercise. He loved the park. The only negative is how small it is. You can only make so many loops and walk up and back the long, completely shaded entrance road.

This park is great because they have several pavilions and it's very shaded. We also enjoy that the…read morepark playground itself is gated. It's secluded away from traffic and other people. Just keep in mind the bathrooms are a bit of a walk away.

Stunson Nature Trail is named after John Stunson, a longtime city manager of Oakland Park. The…read morenature trail is a quarter mile loop that goes through different ecological zones such as seashore zone, hardwood zone and flat wood zone. There are benches along the loop. The loop is gravel and boardwalk and is easy to navigate. Stunson Nature Trail has participated with the Million Orchid Project in which native orchids are planted (I didn't see any) The trail was very well maintained. It is a nice walk if you are in the area. It is next to Royal Palm Park, that is where I parked.

Stunson Nature trail opened on April 27, 2018. It was created in partnership with many community…read moregroups including the School Board of Broward County, Florida Sea Grant, and Florida Urban Community Forestry Grant. The nature trail is named for longtime city manager John Stunson who died in November of 2016. There is a dedication plaque at the entrance of the trail to him. The contractor on the project was MBR Construction. The created an educational walking trail with emphasis on environmental zones, an enhanced wetland area, new landscaping and irrigation, creation of earthen berms, and new fences and landscaping. $474,000 was spent on the walking trail and another $27,000 for the archway entrance to the trail. This trail is a welcome addition to Oakland Park. You can park at Royal Palm Park located next door and walk over. The natural ground trail is perfect for all fitness levels. Native plants line the trail as it winds around a lake and passes through six environmental zone. Once you finish walking here you can pick up the fitness trail at Royal Palm Park.

One of my favorite trails to walk! Definitely get my steps in. Has bathrooms, seating along the…read moretrail, exercise trail with mile markers, beautiful scenery. My favorite part is always seeing owls on the trail

Very pretty park that has a great paved running, walking, bike trail. Set along the canal for a…read morewater view, small kids playground, and outdoor fitness equipment.

In short: a tranquil park with a covered bridge and walking trails…read more This covered bridge is located directly off Holmberg, on the north side. I have driven past it many times and curious to what it is about. It's a simple park , quiet and tranquil Despite the location. I came with my son, my friend and her daughter. There are so no playgrounds/stations for kids but they still loved it. It was beautiful. At one point on the walking trail there was a large bush that was drawing in a handful of butterflies. So lovely. My son is 8 and he has asked to go back multiple times.

Most bridges are built to cross water but in Parkland you can find one sitting on a dry land in the…read moremiddle of a park. In the 1980's when the Oriole Homes Corporation was developing the Country Place residential community on the north side of Holmberg Road in Parkland they offered to buy something to decorate the park and make it memorable for the residents of the new community. Parkland Commissioners Maryjane Sexton and Bobbi Pugliese wanted something that embodied the country setting so they picked a covered bridge. The bridge was suppose to cross over water but they didn't have any it could span so instead it connects land that runs between two canals. The park was deeded to Parkland on October 18, 1989. There isn't a parking lot for this park since it was designed for use by the people who lived in the community. I parked in the strip mall across the street from Holmberg Rd. and took the short walk up. The park is accessible from Holmberg Road or Hillsboro Boulevard through a tree lined trail on the west side of Winners Circle. The trail runs between the canal and apartments and it connects Covered Bridge Park to 6-acre Park off of Hillsboro Boulevard. I love a covered bridge and this park is so tranquil. In addition to the lovely bridge perfect for photos and as a backdrop for picnics, the hiking trail that runs between the two parks is wonderful for getting exercise. On my stroll I saw turtles, butterflies, and birds. This is just another reason why the name of Parkland is perfect for this picturesque city.

There are so many great parks in Coconut Creek where you can play, exercise, and enjoy nature but…read moredid you know there is another way to enjoy the outdoors in town? In addition to the parks, Coconut Creek also has greenways. The greenways are closed to vehicles and make safe travel possible. The city has made many improvements to the greenways through grants from Broward Beautiful, Kodak American Greenways, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The paths are often short, most are only a quarter of a mile, but they are still a nice place to walk around. The Long Pine Greenway is broken into north and south sections joined by a bridge. The north section at 5551 W. Hillsboro Boulevard is .18 of a mile and the south section at 6901 Lyons Road is .68 of a mile. The Long Pine Greenway runs through the West Creek Pineland Natural Area. It doesn't have a parking lot but you can access the greenway by parking in the lot on the side of the Dunkin Donuts. The Long Pine Greenway has a six foot wide paved path that leads across a very pretty 100 foot pedestrian bridge and on into a gazebo. Other amenities include benches, a bike rack, and informational signs. The preserve is a 7.43 acre tract that is important for migrating birds as well as providing a home for the birds that stay here year round. The vegetation consists of pine flatwoods, saw palmetto, and pineland grasses. Many kinds of birds, fish, and butterflies make their home here. I never fail to see tons of butterflies and birds. I also saw a lot of people out walking and biking this morning. There clearly is a demand for safe places to exercise outside. Across the street is the Helene Klein Preserve and Saw Palmetto Natural Area for more nature fun.

We've all seen those unique types of bicycle racks that are more than just a curved piece of metal…read morefor you to lock your bicycle up to (as long as you bring along your own bike lock/cable). Sometimes though people see what may appear as an artistic piece of outdoor, street art such as a green bicycle (made out of 2" tubular metal) or my favorite being those yellow pineapples (also constructed out of 2" tubular metal). What people should know is typically these are actually art BUT they are also bicycle racks. I too, mistaken those artistic bicycle racks when I was driving along Lyons road and kept seeing one of those bicycle. I must've seen it at least 50 times without a thought but then I noticed out the corner of my eye that adjacent to it was a bicycle path leading away from all roadway traffic. After work that same day, I jumped on my bike to check it out. The trail begins as asphalt pavement and runs west from Lyons Road (at NW 69 Court) along a lovely nature preserve (West Creek Pineland Natural Area) made up mostly of pine trees, palm trees and includes a couple of park benches to have a seat and take in the scenery until the trail meets a waterway with a pedestrian bridge and gazebo with more seating. Looking in the water from the bridge you can find catfish, largemouth bass and tilapia. Continuing to the west the trail becomes a concrete path, still away from all vehicular traffic (residential apartments to the north side of the trail and some warehouse buildings but the trail is fully landscaped (although there is a lack of trees). Eventually the trails appears to end when it meets the back side of a Havarty's Furniture warehouse/retail store (to the south side of the path), but the trail actually continues along the lake to north side and yes, it's less attractive than the trail through the nature preserve but it's still a nice ride. The first time I rode this trail (greenway), it ended at here but since then the City of Coconut has continued the path to turn north thru Caligo Crossing retail plaza to actually end the trail at West Hillsboro Boulevard. And if you are up to it, the City has added a new trail (Greenway) on the other side of West Hillsboro Boulevard. It's vey short... then again, the Long Pine South Greenway trail is only 0.7 miles.

Located right smack on the Hillsboro Inlet on a 2.3 acre grass plot with plenty of picnic area…read more with leashed dogs are allowed. It also has a really great swimming area at its far east end along with some sandy beach. As it is located directly across the Inlet from the Historic Hillsboro Lighthouse. terrific views very much appreciated by photographers and artists, But don't try swimming the Inlet itself, as. the tidal currents are 5 knots and dangerous. You may easily get swept out into the Ocean and that would not be good.

Roy L. Rogers Family Park is such a peaceful little gem. I came here to sketch for a watercolor…read morepainting, and it was the perfect setting calm water, boats passing by, and beautiful views of the lighthouse. It's also a great place to walk around and unwind, whether you're being creative or just enjoying the scenery. The views are truly mesmerizing, and it feels like a quiet escape tucked away from the busier areas. I'll definitely be back with my sketchbook again.