This is a neighborhood park located in the the Palm Lake Gardens neighborhood completed in 2005 in…read moreFt. Pierce. The park is set up around a lake. You can exercise by walking a path that runs the perimeter of the lake. Other park amenities include grills, pavilions, picnic tables, and a playground. You can't swim in the lake but people use it for RC boat racing. The lake is stocked so it is a popular fishing spot. I saw quite a bit of wildlife during my visit including a heron, turtles, and a young alligator. This is a really beautiful spot to cook out, picnic, fish, or just take a stroll. As I was leaving I saw someone walking their dog right next to the edge of the water. I cannot not emphasize enough that this is not a smart thing to do. At a park in Davie a woman was killed doing the same thing. An alligator attacked her dogs and she was killed trying to save them. Alligators will not normally attack people but they have been known to go for dogs at the waters edge. I definitely saw alligator activity at this lake. Children and pets should not be near the edge of water where there could possibly be alligators. Prevent another tragedy and stay on the path.

This park is named for Joseph Frances O' Mara. He loved the beauty of the Indian River Lagoon and…read morehis parents donated part of the land for the park in his honor. Adjacent to the parking lot is a picnic pavilion. A boardwalk takes you from the parking lot across the wetlands as you travel through a red mangrove swamp. The mangroves are an important part of the ecosystem because they prevent coastal erosion and provide a home for fish, mollusks, crab, and shrimp, that are the basis of the food chain for the marine life in the coastal communities. The biodiversity of this area makes it popular with researchers. The boardwalk ends at an overlook that people use for fishing the Indian River Lagoon. There is also a floating dock.

I was looking for a park to get my steps in and consequently discovered the delightful East Ridge…read morePark in East Ridge Estates in Hobe Sound. The East Ridge Estates neighborhood is located between Dixie and Federal Highway. The small community was built between 1977 and 1988 and consists of single-family, 2 and 3 bedroom homes. At the end of March of this year, East Ridge Park opened a new playground. The shade covered, updated play area has slides, climbing equipment, and swings. The park also has a basketball court, restrooms, and a covered pavilion with picnic tables. Large trees throughout the park provide welcome shade from the summer sun. A Royal Poinciana in full bloom next to the playground was especially lovely and as an added bonus, made for an excellent climbing tree.

Great area. Quiet. No traffic. Lots of shade. Drove around for a while trying to find a playground…read more Asked a local and directed us to this one. It's tucked away. Can't see from main road. It's off Osprey though.

This park is part of a freshwater marsh or savana that used to cover the southeast coast of…read moreFlorida. This preserve is one of the longest remaining tracts of east coast savanna. It is 10 miles long stretching from Ft. Pierce to Jensen Beach.The term savanna for the marshland and ponds was first used by Lt. Colonel Benjamin Pierce during the Second Seminole Wars. In 1879 Captain Thomas Richards came here from Key West to plant pineapples which thrived in the sandy soil. From 1895 to 1920 Jensen Beach became the pineapple capital of the world. In 1977, 6,000 acres of land were acquired to create a park that protects this biologically unique ecosystem. Today the park offers many amenities to the nature enthusiast. There are 15 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. There is also a canoe and kayak launch. At 8:30 AM every Friday and Saturday morning volunteers lead two hour guided tours. Reservations are required and you can call this number: 772-398-2779. Fishing is available in the park if you have the proper license. If all of the fun outdoor sports makes you hungry there are a number of picnic shelters around the preserve. To learn more about the savannas you can go to the Visitor Center Education Center which is open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. I only got a chance to scratch the surface of this wonderful park and now I can't wait to come and explore it more fully. Admission to the park is $3 that you put into an envelope on the honor system. If you visit bring cash make sure to have the exact amount. The money goes to supporting a wonderful outdoor space rich in history, plants, and animals.

Gorgeous nature preserve. A wonderful walk to the water that loops around. I've taken many friends…read morehere over the years and have always enjoyed it. I would suggest this to anyone who loves to be outside. There is a floating dock by the water and it's pretty fun to pretend it's gonna detach every time a fast boat passes by and sends it tumbling in the waves. 10/10 nature preserve

The Kiplinger Nature Preserve Park is a 157 acre natural area in Stuart. The land used to belong to…read morethe Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. and the Kiplinger Foundation Inc. until Martin County purchased it to preserve the land. Ecological communities making up the preserve include freshwater and mangrove swamps, wet prairie and estuarine river. The preserve contains stands of sand pine and scrub oak as well as pine and scrubby flatwoods. Animals that have been spotted here include the Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, the Golden Silk Spider, raccoons, and alligators. On my visit I spotted a Sandhill Crane but it was too far away to take a picture. I was excited because I have seen the large birds all over the campus at UCF when I visit my daughter but we don't have them in Broward County. They are funny because when I see them they are usually blocking traffic and they do not care. The cranes will nest here in the prairie in the late spring. The trail that runs through Kiplinger is an easy one mile loop. It runs behind condos, past wetlands, across some raised boardwalks and back along the river. In addition to the trail there is a free parking lot, three foot bridges, a floating fishing dock, and a place to launch a kayak or a canoe. It is a great place to enjoy nature, get some exercise and fresh air.

My heart will always be fond of Rivergate as I have so many amazing childhood memories, especially…read morethe friendly squirrels, raccoons, and sea otters that were thriving here! Oh, and a big ole alligator that had no qualms about sunbathing and showing off to us onlookers! The brush has no long overgrown where he (or she) used to hang out for us all to see (and some people would feed him too ... but he was still a hunter ... and I would see him go after birds in the water which was cool and sad all at once ... like an episode of National Geographic). Since then things have changed a lot. I haven't seen any raccoons on my last few visits. I was told feral cats and fisherman ruined the population of cute animals that called this place home. They expanded on greatly to the walkway, which would be great, except that they didn't keep it wooden. It's metal and doesn't look great. It reminds me of being back up in NY with its cold appeal and just doesn't match the vibe at all. But the worse part and what is really affecting my rating is how utterly filthy it is! Sure, the area of the parking lot and ramps are nice. But walk the walkway.. there is endless trash everywhere. To the point I was taking pictures of birds down there and yes my pictured are ruined with trash but actual important thing is the poor wildlife walking around in this! Why?? Where are the funds going to clean this park? There is no excuse for this. It is unfair for us to build and use their homes for our leisure and then not treat it with the respect it deserves. Again, I went here almost everyday of my childhood and so did my family. The only "litter" you would see is some fishing string and bobbers from some people who snagged their lines where the water is. This was literally human garbage all over while looking down from the walkway that goes in and out from the parking lot to the water where the extended walkway is. I hope someone will see this and care and have this cleaned up. I reside in NY and have no idea who to contact or what to do but if someone is down there and has a point of contact ... please walk through the trees and look down at all of the trash and see if something can be done. Floridas wildlife deserves better than to live in our filth. On the plus side, it is still a peaceful place, there are two ramps to back your boat in, the parking lot is huge, there is an area next to the ramps to clean your fish and such, with a working hose. There's crab around which is fun for the kids to see (and adults if you're me), and when the sun is going down you can see gators swimming about by watching for their eyes. You can watch for smaller pretty creatures too in the flowers, like Florida lubbers (colorful and gentle grasshopper of a larger size). The best way to see all of these is to be still and quiet and mindful of them (which I find best achieved going alone). It is truly a lovely zen place but please please please clean it up and if you're visiting put your garbage in the appropriate garbage cans or bring it home with you. Don't make the lazy choice to litter. So many creatures die or are critically injured from our litter, you just don't see it happen as you drop it and walk away. It takes no extra effort just to walk your trash to garbage can. Be kind to our planet :)

Veterans Park at Rivergate is a delightful six acre park that offers many kinds of outdoor…read moreadventures for boaters, anglers, and nature lovers. If you are a boater, the park has three boat ramps along with free car and trailer parking. You can launch your watercraft right on to the beautiful St. Lucie River. For those coming to cookout, even large groups can be accommodated in the large pavilion with 10 six foot picnic tables, one eight foot tables, lights, electricity, water, and 2 large grills. Smaller groups can make use of three family pavilions with grills. My favorite part of the park was the boardwalk that leads you through the natural habitat of the St. Lucie River. Fishing is permitted and you can get a great view of the wildlife that calls the river home. The scenic views of the river add a serene backdrop that enhances the overall peaceful atmosphere of the park. Birdwatching is a popular activity here, with various species often spotted along the riverbank. This park is a hidden gem that has something for everyone to enjoy.

This is a natural preserve located in a residential neighborhood. There is one parking spot if…read morethat. I am not actually sure I parked in a real spot. This 58 area preserve was bought to protect the habitat of the federally endangered scrub jay. They are found only in Florida and no where else in the world. There is a one mile looping trail around the preserve and an observation platform. The habitat of the preserve is scrubby flatwoods. It is the largest such community in eastern St. Lucie county. Plants here include shiny blueberry, tar flower, gopher apple, myrtle oaks, chapman oaks, saw palmetto, spines, and wildflowers. Birds that make their home here are the Scrub-jay, red shoulder hawk, screech owl, cat bird, and mockingbird. Also living here are raccoons, gopher tortoises, and opposum, This preserve was a favorite of Crayola heiress Dorothy Binney in the 1930's. She lived in the nearby historic Casa Caprona apartments and was an avid naturalist. Any natural place that is preserved is 5 stars in my book. The three stars was for my personal enjoyment of it. There is no restroom or water so plan accordingly. The trail is sand and there is no shade at all. In the 100 degree weather it was impossible to go too far. This preserve is best hiked in the cooler months.

Twin Rivers Park is a great park at the junction of the St Lucie River and the Intercoastal…read moreWaterway. There are several boardwalks offering great views of the water and an island state park. The park also features great, paved walkways and trails and is a great place to walk. There is also a large open (grassy) area for recreational activities.

Twin Rivers Park is a 26 acre park located where the Indian River Lagoon meets the St. Lucie River…read moreand the St. Lucie Lagoon. Construction of the park began in 2005 at which time the county added mangroves to prevent shoreline erosion. It was decided that the park would be dedicated to passive recreation. Fishing piers were installed along with a picnic pavilion, benches, restrooms, and a quarter mile long paved trail and a .4 mile natural earth loop trail that runs through the park. Throughout the park are the burrows of gopher tortoises which are listed as a threatened species in Florida. 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 so many safely protected in the park. The view of the water from this park is stunning. I wish I could have hung around until sunset and I plan to go back for that. Other than just sitting back and relaxing this park is excellent for fishing, a picnic, or just tossing a frisbee around. You can combine a trip to this park with a visit to Maggy's Hammock a half mile away where you can hike and see even more gopher tortoises. I love Martin County. It has so many beautiful parks like this one to discover and enjoy.