This is a boardwalk in historic downtown Stuart on the banks of the St. Lucie River. It is anchored…read moreby Flagler Park which is located at the base of the Flagler bridge at one end and an amphitheater with live music on weekends at the other. You can find free parking at the park or at the city lot next to the amphitheater. The Healthy Trail along the river is part of the larger Sailfish Trail that runs in a roughly triangular shape throughout Stuart. There are markers every quarter mile for a total of 8. if you did the entire Sailfish Trail you would walk two miles. It would take approximately an hour to walk the entire trail at a leisurely pace. Along the water you will have a gorgeous view of the river. I saw a lot of red clawed crabs peeking out of the rocks along the shore. Someone I passed told me about the manatee she had spotted the previous day. As the trail takes you through the downtown you will pass some of the historic landmarks of this charming historic beach front town, called the Sailfish Capital of the World. There are five historic art sailfish markers on the historical trail which highlight significant moments in Stuart's history. Stuart has done a wonderful job combing art, history, and health to make an interesting walk so the community can get out and exercise. The whole trail is paved so it is ADA accessible. There are also restaurants and cafes along the way. I love to stop for caffeine refreshment at Gilbert's Coffee Bar.

I accidentally found this trail and I'm so glad I did. It was nice to take a walk around the border…read moreof town and be able to appreciate the scenery. There's basketball courts, pavilions, public bathrooms and a jungle gym. Kids were playing, people were walking, and somebody was having a birthday party. There were also people fishing and others meeting for lunch. If you're in the area for one reason or anther, don't miss out on this beautiful walk. If you're looking to play ball, have a little get together or let the kids deplete their energy, you can do that too!

This is a four acre park at the base of the Palm City Bridge. It was named in honor of Charles…read moreLeighton, a businessman and county commissioner who passed away in 1980, at age 66. Charles Leighton Park has stunning views of the south fork of the St. Lucie River. It sits on a shallow lagoon making it perfect for rowing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. An ADA accessible dock funded by the Martin County Redevelopment Agency and the Florida Inland Navigation District was added in 2016. It allows for easier access to the water by non motorized crafts. The Treasure Coast Rowing Club is located in the park and makes use of this amenity. You can also launch your motorized boat. The park has a restroom for everyone's convenience. In addition to boating recreation, this park is also popular for fishing and taking sunrise photos over the water. Even though I wasn't boating I was still able to walk out over the water on the fishing pier. This is a really nice spot to enjoy the river.

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.

Super cool to see remaining wildlife: alligators, manatees Hope it stays like it is foreverread more

Sooo, this morning rather than go to the gym. I went to White City Park in For Pierce and Kayaked…read moredown the St. Lucie River. Thanks to Steve Ware for the invite. We paddled thru the scenic St. Lucie River on the North Fork and observing all the gorgeous oak hammocks bordering either side. Amazing how tranquil the trip is, you would have thought you were in a time warp, because this surely represents how Olde Florida used to be. Just think it is in our backyard and it is FREE. White City Park has a Pirate playground for the kids, boat ramps, fishing access, plenty of picnic tables and much more. #lovingtreasurecoastlife #ftpierce #treasurecoast

This lovely lakeside park was named in honor of Port St. Lucie pioneer Oliver L Peacock. Mr…read more Peacock is among the founding fathers credited with the creation of Port St. Lucie. The Peacock family owned a 4,614-acre ranch in St. Lucie West. After the family home was abandoned, the St. Lucie historical society stepped in and saved the Peacock house and had it moved to Pioneer Park where you can see the restored home and learn more about the Peacock family in the nearby Port St. Lucie History Museum. This serene 100 acre park was established in 2008. The park has a 75 acre lake and surrounding natural area. Fishing and motor boating is allowed on the lake. The FWC and the City of Port St. Lucie have worked together to remove invasive plants and to restore the aquatic habitat to improve fishing in the lake. Right now there are few amenities in the park but if Port St. Lucie is awarded the Land Water Conservation Fund Grant, they plan to build by early 2027 restrooms, a large pavilion, bike racks, fencing, a nature trail around the lake, fencing, a wetlands boardwalk trail, a kayak launch area, and restore the lake bank. In the meantime this park is still a peaceful place to enjoy passive recreation.

Sandsprit Park is located at the entrance to the Manatee Pocket which is an inland bay in the…read morehistoric fishing village of Port Salerno. The park is completely surrounded by water providing stunning views and access to water based recreation. The boat ramp is one of the busiest in Martin County and is the closest access to the St. Lucie Inlet. There is a boardwalk that circles the perimeter of the park for fishing, walking, running, and biking. Other park amenities include a playground, outdoor fitness equipment, restrooms, finger piers for fishing, and pavilions available for rental for parties and events as well as personal picnics. This was the first park I have seen with open playground and fitness equipment since the shut down. The proximity to the water makes this a great place to view birds like seagulls, herons, pelicans, crows, and even parrots. During the year the city holds different events here like nights with movies and food trucks. This park is a great example of why I love Martin County. It is the perfect place to put your feet up and just watch the boats sail by. Beauty abounds with access to the waterways and recreational activities. Renew your spirit at Sandsprit.

Sandsprit Park is a real gem. It's a wonderful place to pick nick, engage in water sports or just…read morerelax. There is water access for boats and ample parking for trailers as well as cars. You'll find lots of pavilions that offer shade for said pick nicks or to sit and watch the world go by. The park itself is surrounded by water with lots of waterfront walking paths as well as some beautiful tree canopied spots to get out of the Florida sun. There are some outdoor workout equipment as well as bathroom facilities that are clean and tidy. SCW and I were there during the week and parking was easy and it wasn't very crowded.

This is a brand new park,. In fact, I don't think it's 100%!finished or even officially open yet…read more The restrooms are still unfer construction and some minor landscaping needs to be completed. It was constructed as a partnership between a local home builder and the City of Port St Lucie. It is a passive park about 6 acres in size with two main sections. Closest to the road is a section devoted to first responders and military personnel. It features several large stars with inspiratve messages on them. The section away from the road features a large display of the solar system- featuring a scale model of the solar system with the planets positioned with the relative distance to the sun. It's actually fascinating to see the planets displayed this way and to see how far away Pluto really is. This is a beautiful, peaceful, passive park that reflects a lot a creative genius.

Stars and Stripes Park is a brand new 6.5 acre passive park in Traditions that was created out of…read morepartnership between The City of Port St. Lucie and Mattamy Homes. The new public park has a patriotic theme. It features public art, walking paths, large star sculptures and symbols, messages, and inspirational quotes from veterans and first responders. I love the walking trail that takes you around the tranquil lake. Stars and Stripes Park is on Tradition Trail, also known as the T-Trail. T-Trail will also include nature trails, the Heart of Tradition shopping plaza, and Tradition Regional Park which is currently under construction. There is so much construction in the Tradition section of Port St. Lucie. There is always something new to discover.

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.