We stopped here to breakup our drive to a state park in central Florida, it's a beautiful area! We…read morewalked around a bit, got our feet in the ocean, and noted all of the turtle nests! Want to come back here one day soon for a beach day! The water was gorgeous that day as well! Check out this area/park/beach if you are in the area! They have a board walk as well!

If you're looking to soak up the sun, catch some waves, and maybe beat your own record for the…read morenumber of snacks eaten under an umbrella--Jaycee Park is your new happy place. The beach? Pristine. The water? Perfectly blue with just the right amount of wave action to feel like a surfer (even if you're just boogie boarding like a champ). The park area behind the beach is ideal for taking a break from the heat--plenty of shaded pavilions, a volleyball court, and a playground for the little ones who still somehow have more energy than a triple espresso. What really makes Jaycee Park shine is how family-friendly and chill the vibes are. You've got locals grilling, kids building sandcastles that'll be gone in one tide, and beachgoers just vibing to the sound of waves. Plus, the accessibility and parking make it a no-stress zone from the moment you pull up. So grab your sunscreen, flip-flops, and your most extra beach floatie--Jaycee Park is where it's at!

I'm in South Beach but it is not the famous art deco Miami one. This South Beach is a laid back…read morebeach park in Ft. Pierce. South Beach Park has a lot of free parking, a deck, picnic tables and pavilions with grill, and restrooms with showers. There weren't many people present and the beach has a very relaxed and secluded vibe. More people visit Jetty Beach Park north of here. South Beach is also known by locals for having the occasional bomb warhead off the beach. During WWII this area was used for military training by the Fort Pierce Naval Amphibious Training Base that extended from Vero Beach to Jensen Beach. The military subsequently removed as many of the explosives as they could but even in 2022 military bombs used to train for the Normandy Beach invasion were still being discovered by people with metal detectors. Fortunately today you are more likely to discover a sea turtle nest on the beach rather than a bomb.

Great day swimming and jumping off the pier on the inlet! :)…read moreLots of people watching to do. Food, drink, smiles then a potential drowning rounded out the day! :/ Don't worry, the person we did not know was pulled out and walked away on his own. Making sure of your swimming capabilities is a must when walking out past the sandbar. No waves makes having small children an easygoing win. :)) You can trust me, this is the 5th boy I will raise up with help from my friends. ;D

Located on North Hutchinson Island, Round Island Beach Park offers recreation while also protecting…read morea historic site. This part of Florida has a lot of WWII history. You can see it all over in the parks named for key events or people who served in the war. During WWII the Germans were sinking ships in Atlantic shipping channels and hiding along the coast of Florida in their submarines. On May 5, 1942, German U-333 torpedoed and sunk the Java Arrow, a United States tanker eight miles off Fort Pierce. Two crew members were killed. A auxiliary volunteer Coast Guard rescued 22 survivors in a fishing boat but two other ships, the Amazone and the Halsey were hit by torpedoes off of Fort Pierce that same night. To protect the shore massive concrete tank traps with steel rails protruding were sunk offshore. The Fort Pierce Amphibious Training Base opened in Fort Pierce on Jan. 26, 1943 to train soldiers for WWII. Round Island became part of this base, a 19,000 acre military installation. The soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day were trained here. Obstacles like the ones the Germans were placing to stop the Allied Forces during the war were put in the water off the shore of Ft. Pierce so boat drivers could practice eluding them and teams could practice blowing them up. At Omaha Beach one Fort Pierce based unit lost 33 men but were able to destroy 5 of the obstacles. More than 140,000 military personnel trained in neighboring St. Lucie County from 1943 to 1945, when at the time there were only 20,000 area residents. The objects remained in the water long after people started using the beach for recreation. Unfortunately some people were injured and in 1991 the government did a national cleanup of former military bases during which time the objects were removed and some were given to the SEAL Museum created by long term democratic Florida senator Claude Pepper. At the museum you can learn more about the part Ft. Pierce played in WWII. You can still see some of the underwater obstacles used for training between the picnic pavilions and parking area along with interpretive signs. In addition to some amazing history, this beautiful 11.36 acre park has free parking, beach access, five picnic pavilions with tables and grills, a playground, shower, restrooms, and a walking trail in the park. Lifeguards are on duty between 9:10 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. daily. Along the beach are areas blocked off to protect sea turtle nests. Across the street is Round Island Riverside Park where you can launch a canoe or kayak on to the Indian River Lagoon where you can see dolphins and manatees. I really enjoyed my time at Round Island Beach Park with its clean beach, clear water, well-maintained facilities, quiet setting. and WWII history.

Pretty & safe beach area that's not too crowded but not deserted either. Lifeguard's, picnic…read moretables, showers & bathrooms for convenience. Even historical/informational areas of interest.

A nice spot to park near the water and maybe do some fishing. A constant parade of boats going…read morepast was a nice distraction. The park does have a basic restroom. This was a nice stop to enjoy some waterside time without going all the way across the causeway and dealing with beach traffic. There is a boat launch but it was blocked off with a barricade. Maybe it's only open during certain times of the year? The kayak/canoe launch was open and there is a kayak rental company on the far side of the parking lot. At least one security patrol passed through while I was here. [Review 19269 overall - 1618 in Florida - 239 of 2023.]

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.

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.

This beach on Hutchinson Island is 3 miles north of Causeway Boulevard, on Ocean Boulevard State…read moreHighway A1A in Jensen Beach. Dollman Beach is part of a 143 acre preserve where you can fish, swim, and enjoy the natural beauty of Hutchinson Island. This public beach was named in honor of Henry Dollman, who sold nearby Normandy Beach to St. Lucie County in 1962 for $10 as long as it was given to public use. Other land owned by Dollman on Hutchinson Island was saved from development by Jane Murray Brooks and turned into a public beach and nature preserve named in her honor. Dollman Beach has a restroom and shower but is not life guarded. This beach is enjoyed by locals and visitors who enjoy swimming and fishing but it is especially popular with surfers making it one of the more visited beaches on Hutchinson Island. Beach walkers are encouraged to pick up a basket to help keep the beach clean which is especially important as this beach is an important sea turtle nesting area. If you are looking to get something to eat nearby Conchy Joe's Seafood is a great choice.

Beach There is a…read morelong stretch of beaches along the treasure coast of which Dollman Beach is one. The ride along Hutchinson Island is nice enough and then there are a lot of these small county beaches available to the public at no cost. Dollman has a smallish paved parking area and then a grassy overflow area - they can get a decent number of cars in there without it looking like Coney Island on the weekends. The beach is accesable through a serene path with thick foliage on either side - very calming as you stroll through. The beach proper stretches north south and is deep enough that there is never going to be a time where you cannot find a spot, yet not so deep that it is a 10 minute walk to the water. This is an Atlantic facing beach so wave action varies mostly depending on the weather and there are a few large rocks in the surf line so use caution. The dunes are home to many turtle nests and sea grasses and all are marked - again, use caution and respect nature when there. This beach did not have life guards - not sure if they have them during high tourist season, so be aware of that. Outside of the above, there are no amenities available such as food or beverages- you have to bring it all in and back out with you. There are small restrooms by the parking lot and they were clean and functioning. There is a shower for rinsing sand off. Overall, a great uncrowded beach to relax and catch some rays on. Parking lot off the main road.

If you are looking for something to do with the children free of charge, check out this park. This…read morepark has a few soft play areas that cater to different age ranges. There is also a small water play area that I would suggest doing last, so make sure to bring a change of clothes & a towel because the kids will want to get wet. On really hot days like today be careful because there is barely any shaded areas, some of the play areas will burn because of the direct sunlight. We usually bring water, snacks, a blanket, a portable fan & sunscreen. There are restrooms to be able to change. If you have a baby there is a baby changing table as well. There are water fountains. There are benches and little seating areas. The park is very clean & well kept. The staff that I've seen through the park are very polite. Every time we have come out, there has been a shaved ice mobile truck, they have all been very delicious and very refreshing, especially on sunny hot days usually they accept cash, cards and contactless payment. Most definitely would be perfect if it was more shaded but the kiddos would enjoy it no matter the weather.

I visited Pioneer Park a few days ago, and let me tell you, it's a little gem. Even though it's…read morereally small, it's so clean, tidy, and charming that it feels great to just sit and watch while your kids play -- or simply unplug for a bit from the rush of the day and breathe in some peace and quiet. I can't wait to see how the terrace project turns out, with its different spots to enjoy the evenings by the river.