The Melbourne Beach Pier is steeped in history. Located in Ryckman Park, the pier was built between…read more1888 and 1889 by the Indian River and Atlantic Railway Company. It was constructed from wood planks and pilings as was common in the late 1800's. The pier is the oldest known example of such piers on the Indian River. After the pier was built it served as a crucial transportation link moving tourists, residents, freight, and mail between the mainland and the barrier island. A railroad was laid from the ferry landing on the dock and across the barrier island 7/10 of a mile to the ocean beach. This provided access to the Atlantic Ocean by a pushcart and later by a motorized car. A ferry service was operated by the Beaujean family between 1889 and 1923. The railroad provided access to the island and excursion boats from the mainland communities brought winter tourists to dock at the pier. The community's first post office was located at the east end of the pier and provided the daily mail service in 1894. The building of the toll bridge between Melbourne and Indialantic in 1921 ended the pier's importance for island access. On April 12, 1984, the pier was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. In 1985 a restoration project supported by local citizens and state programs helped to preserve this iconic Melbourne Beach structure. Today the pier offers a panoramic view of the Indian River and is ideal for fishing, relaxation, and sunset strolls. I enjoyed my walk back in time down this historic pier, and best of all unlike many piers there is no charge to enjoy it.

Located in a really beautiful community, really clean, sunrise and sunset are beautiful and Ocean…read moreAvenue is right at opposite end of the street to surf or just go to the beach. Parking is free all around until 8:00 AM, but plenty of spaces and pay stations where you can pay with card. If you're taking a kid or anyone fishing for the first time and you want to GUARANTEE a bite, go to Black Dog Bait and Tackle like 5 minutes away, get one or two dozen live shrimp with a bubbler bucket and cast off any corner of this pier. I will say that the only thing that bit was catfish NONSTOP. They put up a fun fight and they come in all sizes and they rarely swallow the hook, but once you catch a couple, I suggest going to the beach or finishing up your bait at Geiger Point at Kiwani's Park. You'll have a better shot of catching some little snappers and drums (which you can't keep any size in this area). Super beautiful spot though for a kid's first time out.

POW MIA Park is a small park directly on US 1…read more It has a small community center and a decent amount of parking. There really is not geared towards being a park, but moreover as a boat ramp. Still, it is a good representation of what it was designed for

This park was formerly known as Pineda Landing since it is just north of the Pineda Causeway. In…read more2000 the park had its named changed to MIA/POW Park to honor prisoners of war, veterans, and those missing in action. The Veterans Council P.O.W. Chapter represented 60 organizations that urged the commissioners to rename the park to honor what took place during the wars and to recognize the cruel treatment suffered by prisoners of war. POW/MIA Park is one of several waterfront parks along this stretch of the Indian River. What makes this 4.58 acre park stand out is that it has a two lane boat ramp for motorized vessels. There is also a kayak and canoe launch. Near the boat ramp is restrooms. On the other side of the park is a community center with a meeting rent that can be rented for private events. Shoreline fishing is permitted in the park. This park is primarily for the boaters and anglers although anyone would enjoy the tranquil water view. Other waterfront parks in the area offer picnic and playground and amenities.

Beautiful lake with a nice atmosphere and spacious view! Natural park with shaded sitting area for…read morefamilies or friends who are like family. A gem in the middle of this little city. One hundred percent recommended. Five Stars!

A nice park offering access to Lake Washington This park is…read morelocated at the western end of Lake Washington Road and just past the Melbourne Water Treatment plant. It provides access to the lake in at least 3 methods: a boat ramp, a floating dock, and a pier. There is a set of restrooms in a stand-alone building to the north of the entrance and on the east side of the park next to a parking lot. There is parking next to this building and just to the south of it that could fit about 40 spaces, There is also a lot to the south of the entrance and the boat ramp. The boat ramp has about 10 spots for trucks with trailers and another 7 in the southern lot. There is a playground to the north of the ramp and pier that looks like a couple of swings and a small jungle jim in a fenced enclosure. There is a walkway from the parking lot to the pier with about 3 small covered pavilions and 1 large one before you arrive at the pier. Overall, it is a nice park. It is not super fancy but it is functional. Enjoy

I was driving through Palm Bay when I spotted a pirate ship on the side of the road so I had to…read morestop and check it out. The pirate ship is actually part of a playground for kids in Arc Park. Children can climb the ship and slide down I pirate ship as they live out their buccaneer adventures. This park also has benches, picnic tables, and port--a-potties. In the back of the park is a pond where I watched native Florida wading birds. Local anglers fish the pond for bass and bluegill. A sign in the park identifies it as a haven for sandhill cranes. They are a large species of crane known to frequent the edges of bodies of water. According to the sign they are listed as a state threatened species. They don't live in South Florida but I have spotted them in Stuart and above. While I missed the sandhill cranes I did spot some egrets and herons by the pond. This is such a nice neighborhood park. The pirate themed playground sparks the imaginations, there is a large field for unstructured play, and the pavilion is a fun spot for a cookout. Parents do have to keep an eye on the kids because while the playground is fenced in, the pond has no barriers.

Good Park For Kids To Unwind…read more It's a smaller park but a good spot to let the kids unwind. A Little Rock climbing wall is fine for them, too bad it's not just a bit bigger and a bit more.

This park on the Indian River in Melbourne was named in honor of Claude Edge, a prominent merchant…read morein early years of the city. In the 1920's and 30's he owned a general merchandise store and later a two-story building on Front Street with an upstairs boarding house that overlooks the park. Claude Edge Park has many amenities popular with locals and visitors. There is a public boat ramp. fishing pier with fish cleaning station, gazebo, pavilions, picnic areas, picnic tables, restroom, and access to the Melbourne Causeway Walking and Biking Path. Another interesting find in the park was the first post office site. Melbourne was originally called Crane Creek but it was renamed in honor of its first postmaster, Cornthwaite John Hector who arrived in the area vin 1878. He was from England and had lived in Melbourne, Australia where he left behind his common law wife and five children. He is also credited with organizing the first community band. The name Melbourne was suggested by Mrs. R.W. Goode, a local pioneer, eight years before the town was officially established. If you are lucky, you may spot a bottle nose dolphin or manatee in the Indian River off the shore of Claude Edge Park. The paved walkways in the park are ideal for exercise or walking dogs while the benches and shady spots entice picnics, reading, and people watching The proximity of this park to downtown Melbourne makes it easy to visit nearby cafes, shops, and restaurants. When you are looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle, this park provides a quiet retreat.

Came to go fishing on the small pier but homeless people were sleeping in benches. It's sad looks…read morelike it could be a great spot to relax and fish unfortunately too many homeless people laying around the whole area and on the benches.

I really loved visiting the Fau Lake Wilderness Park. So cool to see snappers, gopher turtles, and…read moreanhinga there. Sad not to get a chance to see alligators, but apparently the water is too cold after the cold snap. Hardly anyone was here in January. The park has playgrounds, pavilions, benched and paved paths. No swimming due to alligators .

This is a fairly large Park!…read more There's a large lake here which I'm not sure they allow swimming. I did get to observe a few wild alligators in this pond. There's a pathway they can walk around the lake which has a few docks that you can stand out to look off of or fish. This park has public bathrooms the same very clean Fair Park that seems kind of far out. The park also has a play area for young kids with monkey bars and slides and swings. Was also large areas of open grass where kids and adults can play. You could probably spend an entire day just explore in this park. I did observe animals there so there's a pet friendly Park however I would keep the animals away from the water just to be safe.

Love this beach! It's been one of my more frequented beaches, when I'm out taking photos. Always…read morevery quiet, well kept. Finding it may be a bit tricky, as the parking lot opening is very small, and there isn't much of a warning. I highly recommend coming to watch the sunrise here. They have a beautiful walkway where you can see it wonderfully!!

Usually a pretty good spot to go!! I prefer this area over Cocoa beach it's much cleaner…read more Unfortunately right now the seaweed situation has been pretty bad and they got hit pretty hard. But otherwise add this place to your go to spots

A beach is a beach when you live near one. To me there is nothing absolutely breathtaking about…read morethis beach. However, don't take it the wrong way. I still love the beach when I want to go to the beach. Luckily I know people that live near the beach so we park at their place and walk down to the beach. I've grown a very nice seashell collection from this beach. There are a few spots here and there along the beach that also great for a hangout if you want to be near the beach. Just beware of the parking meters if you don't know people who live in the area.