When the $90 million Crosstown Parkway was built it included an $800,000, 1.8 acre fenced park…read morealong the St. Lucie River underneath the bridge. The park on Coral Reef Street is nicknamed Pineapple Snook Plaza for its pineapple art and because it is a great place to fish on the river for snook, an estuarine and freshwater-dependent fish species. They are a prized game fish in Florida popular for their firm and tender flesh. Grilling is a popular cooking method but you have to take off the soapy tasting skin. In addition to the fishing dock and public art, the park also has a floating dock and kayak launch, parking lot, paved walkways with inlaid murals, benches, and a 20 foot wide gazebo. SE Cor5al Reef Park offers beautiful views of the St. Lucie River and Halpatiokee Park. I had a great time watching the osprey swoop down into the river to catch fish while I chilled with a baby alligator swimming under the bridge.

Sandpiper Bay Park is an 11.5 acre open space park established in 1999 in Port St. Lucie. I was…read morehiking in the area and decided to stop by and check it out. There is no established parking area but I noticed people were parking on the grass. The park is located on a canal where fishing is permitted but there is a sign warning about alligators. There is a small trail through the woods that runs along the canal. Along the way you will trees, pinecones, and a view of the water. The park also has picnic tables near the parking area making it a nice place to eat lunch in nature. Port St. Lucie really excels in their nature preserves. Their newest one is The Preserve in the Port District. Sandpiper Bay Park is a great spot for local families to walk their dog, have a picnic, or just taking a relaxing stroll among the trees.

Grateful for the tribute to the man who took the time to submit to the state the reasons that this…read moreland along the Indian River Lagoon should be set aside and kept from being rezoned for industrial or commercial use. Went when the wild magnolia trees were blooming along the boardwalk path through the woods. Observation platform with picnic table once you reach the river shore from the park entrance.

This park was formerly named the St. Lucie Village Heritage Park. The name was changed to honor St…read more Lucie Village community leader Donald B. Moore who passed away in 2012. Moore was a veteran of the Coast Guard and Navy and served as the fire chief for the St. Lucie County Fire District. This 78 acre park is believed to be the site of the Russell/ Barker skirmish that led to the 3rd Seminole Indian War. John Barker was a trader who tried to cheat the Seminoles with faulty gun powder and bad alcohol. In 1849 he was walking with his brother in law William Russell when Barker was confronted by four Seminoles. They shot Russell causing the men to run. Barker was caught and stabbed to death Russell and family members of both men were able to escape by boat. The park is located along the Indian River Lagoon. It has a disc golf course, an observation tower and two hiking trails. The northern trail contains interpretive signs explains about the plant life while the southern trail contains historical signs relating to the skirmish and a small homestead, an illegal still, and the turpentine industry in the area. Unfortunately I wasn't able to explore the trails as much as I would have liked due to the heavy mosquito infestation. There are no restroom facilities or water so plan accordingly. The trails are natural ground which are not wheel chair accessible but are easy to hike for most people. Occasionally naturalists will lead hikes here.

Visited Sportsman's Park a few weeks ago to watch our grandson play baseball. The park has a old…read moretime feel to it that I loved. Among the facilities I saw, there are baseball fields, picnic shelters, concession stands, playground, and restrooms as well as tennis and basketball courts. The restrooms were very clean. The baseball game we were watching was delayed by lightning. I was glad that this park has a lightning alarm to warn visitors to take shelter. Parking seemed a little limited so plan to arrive early if you want to find a parking spot easily.

Sportsman's Park is a 18 acre park that opened in 1975. Recent upgrades have now made it a state of…read morethe art recreational park for the residents of Port St. Lucie. The outdoor fitness area includes both cardio equipment and calisthenics and space for stretching. The two cardio bikes, elliptical cross trainer, and arm bike are bluetooth compatible which allows the user to connect the machine to the phone or tablet through the Kompan fitness app or other activity trackers which will give real time information on calories burned, speed, distance, and time. While parents are working out nearby children can enjoy a new playground that encourages group play and coordination for children of all ages and abilities. The new playground has challenging climbing spaces, spinning activities, climbing, slides, swings, and coordination and balance challenges. a You and Me swing allows a parent or caretaker to swing in a seated position facing the child so both can share in the joyful experience. Sportsman Parks is home of the National Little League. Other park amenities include four baseball/softball fields, concession stand, two basketball courts, pavilion, restroom, and two tennis courts with lights. Note that you need a free court pass in order to use the basketball courts.

Aileen's Treehouse is a tot lot in Tradition, a master planned community that opened in 2003 in…read morePort St. Lucie. This play area was dedicated to philanthropist Aileen Pruitt who along with her husband Ken is involved in community charities that include Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Boys and Girls Club. A sign in the park says "For her love of children & animals." The play area is fenced in which is a great safety feature. The playground equipment was designed to look like it is set in trees and there are climbing components and slides. There also swings, picnic tables, and a rock climbing wall. Unfortunately one area was taped off for repair. Outside the playground area is a spacious lawn for even more play room. The treehouse park serves as a meetup location for area residents to participate in mommy and me and daddy and me playdates. The kids who were playing here looked like they were having a blast.

Troy Moody Park is located on Victory Boulevard and Cordova Avenue in the McAnsh Park neighborhood…read morein northwest Vero. Park amenities include a water fountain, playground, benches, large open space for play, and paved walkway. Along the path are signs giving suggestions of different activities kids can do as they go along. Some of the activities are to tell a story, jump, clap, skip, move, and read. I have never seen anything like this and it is a really cool feature of the park that sparks family interaction. The park's namesake, Troy E. Moody Jr. was born in 1925. His father, Troy Moody Sr., served as Indian River County's tax collector from 1932 to 1969. Troy graduated from Vero Beach High School class of 1943. He then spent three years in the Navy before going to a state college. After graduation he joined the Army and became a paratrooper. He was stationed in Japan before being deployed to Korea. He was serving as First lieutenant with the 27th Infantry Regiment when he died at 25 in a battle at the Naktong River crossing in South Korea on Aug. 11, 1950. A memorial plaque in his honor was installed in the park in 2012. An earlier memorial plaque was installed on the water fountain.

Troy Moody Park is more of an open field with a small playground and a few benches than what I…read morewould call a park. I am sure that the neighborhood appreciates it, but if you are looking for something where you can walk around and enjoy a bit of nature, this is not the place.

This county park in Vero Beach is also known as South County Regional Park. It was named in honor…read moreof Richard "Dick" Bird. Mr. Bird was a PGA golf professional and the founder of Bird Realty. He served 16 years as an Indian River County commissioner. This large 72.7 acre park is open daily, 7 AM until sunset. Park amenities include seven grills, 23 picnic tables, 10 pavilions, a renovated in 2022 ADA accessible playground, 4 lighted multi-purpose ball fields with concession stand, press box, 4 lighted lacrosse fields (only for use by the Lacrosse Association), 2 lighted tennis courts, 2 lighted basketball courts, restrooms, water fountains, and disc golf. One of the most popular features of the park are the 12 pickleball courts divided by skill level. They are lighted and have live camera streaming online The trees throughout the park provide much appreciated shade and the tropical landscaping adds to the natural beauty of the nature areas. This park hosts various sports leagues such as adult slow-pitch softball and lacrosse events. Ample parking with over 200 spots adds to the ease of visits. The well maintained Dick Bird South County Park provides an important community recreational resource for sports, relaxation, and picnicking.

This is a beautiful soccer / lacrosse park. The fields have excellent drainage and very nice…read morebathrooms (not common during lacrosse tournaments). There's plenty of parking and the concession stands serve excellent food. Overall I'd highly recommend this park for any sports tournaments.

Very lovely park. Clean, peaceful, and love the water views. Saw a dolphin. Highly recommend.read more

This park is named for Anthony William Young (1866-1948). He was the first mayor of Vero Beach,…read moreFlorida, when the city was incorporated as Vero (the Beach was added to the name 6 years later) on June 12, 1919. He was also the fifth mayor from December 10, 1935 to December 15, 1937. Young also served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives (1921 to 1925), and as a member of the Florida Senate (1929 to 1931). Young was an official in the Indian River Farms Co. that dug the canals to drain most of what is Vero Beach. He also authored the legislative act creating Indian River County from St. Lucie County. To get to the park you travel through the Vero Isles neighborhood which ends at the park on the Indian River. Pulling into the park there were little marsh rabbits hopping around everywhere. So adorable. Once you enter the park you are surrounded by the gorgeous views of the Indian River and the bridges that carry people over the river. Park amenities include picnic shelters and tables and it even has a restroom. This is a popular spot for fishing, picnicking, or just taking in the vista of the Indian River.