This is a nearly 2 acre park behind a Salvation Army just before you get to I-95. It runs along 500 feet of the New River. At the entrance to the park is a sign explaining the historical significance of the north fork of the New River. This is the only section of the New River that is still in a natural state.
The New Ricer runs three and a half miles through the city of Fort Lauderdale. It is lined with mangroves, pond apple and cypress trees, and bromeliads. Many native plants and animals live here. Also along the river are some of the oldest African American communities in the city. The water in the north fork of the river is a brackish mixture of fresh water from the Everglades and salt water from the Intracoastal. In 1948 when the Boulevard Bridge was built, the north fork was cut off from the south fork.
The park has a small parking lot. An observation platform was built and it is supposed to have a canoe/ kayak launch but I didn't see where you could get a boat into the water. The park has many native plants including mangroves and pond apple trees and it is a certified wildlife habitat. There was also a dirty looking picnic table.
Unfortunately the park looks like it used by homeless people. I found evidence that someone was camping out here. Some furniture, probably from the Salvation Army was dumped in the park. It didn't feel safe. Usually the parks in Ft Lauderdale are immaculately kept. This is the first one I have come across that made feel uneasy. Five stars for the history but the city needs to clean it up. read more