Coconut Point Sanctuary is a 62 acre preserve protecting natural coastal strand, oak scrub, coastal…read moreoak forest, and and mangrove forest habitats on Melbourne Beach. The sanctuary is located across from Juan Ponce de Leon Park which is where you need to park before crossing the street to enter the preserve. The one mile loop trail through this preserve takes you from the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way you will traverse through saw palmetto and wildflowers. Located in the preserve is the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute which operates a marine mammal ecology and animal health lab. This sanctuary is a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. An observation platform over the Indian River Lagoon is the ideal spot to view shorebirds, juvenile sea turtles, osprey, manatees, and pods of dolphins. Note that there is no shade on the trail and in this brutal heat I didn't make it that far. I recommend visiting during the cooler winter months. This area contains ancient sand dunes that were once the home of the prehistoric Ais who were hunters and gatherers. Prior to contact with European colonizers, the Ais population had grown to several hundred thousand and may have flourished for over 10,000 years. This area is also believe by some to be the landing point of Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513.

Coconut Point Sanctuary boasts a one mile hike through natural Florida protected land. It is called…read morethe ocean to lagoon hike because it connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River Lagoon. The hike is considered easy to moderate. My three year old grandson maneuvered through it with easy and had a blast. The path has lots of beautiful flowers and is loaded with natural beauty.

Behind the Sebastian Government Complex in Friendship Park is the entrance to the North Sebastian…read moreConservation Area. This natural area was purchased between 1996 and 1999 for the purpose of preserving and restoring scrub and wetland habitats for the benefit of rare and endangered species. This land is managed by Indian River County and it protects over 400 acres of land, including endangered scrub ecosystems. There is another entrance to the preserve off Main St. just west of Gibson St. for equestrian riders. The North Sebastian Conservation Area has 10 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding through a diverse range of habitats that include sand pine and oak scrub, scrubby and wet flatwoods, freshwater marsh, wet prairie, upland hardwoods, ponds and lakes. At the equestrian entrance you can hike the Jays Walk, which takes you down abandoned subdivision roads, home of the endangered Florida Scrub-Jays and Gopher Tortoises. At the Friendship Park entrance there are boardwalks and lake crossings on the trail. The Little Loop trail has a fresh water depression frequented by Tricolored Herons and other wading birds. On the Powerline Road Trail ducks, Wood Storks, Sandhill Cranes and Roseate Spoonbills, Bald Eagles, and Ospreys have been spotted. This preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and while providing a haven to wildlife it also protects species of scrub-adapted plants. The longer perimeter trails are more suited to cyclists. I was able to walk from both entrances but it is still very hot out as we enter into mid September. I recommend visiting on a cooler day and bringing water and sunscreen. The scrub areas are in full sun. Restrooms are available in Friendship Park.

This is a serene water front park in Palm Bay. The park was named in honor of William A. Goode,…read moreJr., a former mayor of the city in the 1980's in recognition of his service to the community. Amenities at Goode Park include a playground and a large pavilion with picnic tables and restrooms at the top of the hill. The park slopes down to a boat dock on Turkey Creek and a fishing pier that gives you a view of the water. Goode Park also has the event venue that can be rented called the Captains House. It holds 100 to 150 people and comes with use of a patio, the large dock, and the boat ramp. While the view of Turkey Creek was pretty my favorite part of the park was when I discovered a gopher tortoise near the parking area. The little guy was happily munching away. I am always glad to come across them because they are considered a threatened species here in Florida.

In March of 2024 Brevard County Commissioners renamed Coconut Point Park Val M. Steele Park in…read morerecognition of his lifelong dedication to public service and community improvement. Steele served a total of four years as Melbourne Beach Council Member, town commissioner, and later as the mayor of Melbourne Beach. Some if his accomplishments included moving the main county courthouse to Viera, the building of the Spessard Holland Golf Course, and the creation of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. He volunteered on the St. Johns Water Management District Board during which he was instrumental in protecting and restoring hundreds of thousands of acres of marshland. He contributed to the economic growth of Brevard as a director of the Bank of Brevard, Atlantic Bank, American Bank of the South, American Mortgage Corporation and Holmes Regional Hospital. Steele passed away on October 12, 2020, at the age of 79. Val M. Steele Park is a 36.9 acre beach park located within the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge complex. I love that the parking is free. It is a popular spot for surfing, beachcombing, and fishing. Park amenities include a picnic shelter, restrooms, and outside showers. One of the two dune crossovers is wheelchair accessible. If you are looing for a beach day, it doesn't get much better than this. This beach park is also a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. The primary habitats here are beach dune and coastal strand. Shorebirds on the beach include Black-bellied Plovers, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Red Knots, Northern Gannets, Bonaparte's Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls in fall and winter. From late summer through winter look for Magnificent Frigatebirds, and Parasitic and Pomarine Jaegers. In the surf are Common Loons and Lesser Scaup. In addition to the birds this beach area is also an important sea turtle nesting site preserve from spring to fall.

Great covered bbq area with tables. Little beach area so bring a chair and relax for a while too.read more

This is a small pocket park near the Melbourne Causeway when you cross over into Indialantic. The…read moretown's name is actually Indialantic-By-The-Sea because it lies between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Interesting fact, this town is only one mile! This beautifully landscaped park is only a little over an acre. There is small parking lot, water fountain, informational signs, a gazebo, and benches. This is a very nice park to relax and take in the scenic water view of the Indian River. What is most important about this park is taking place out of view, in the river. This park is one of three sites in Brevard County that are part of the Living Shoreline program. The project was funded by the State of Florida, Department of Economic Opportunity, and other local community sponsors. Mangroves, native plants, oyster mats/bags, redeemed seawall, and rip-rap were added off the shore. At this park an oyster bag revetment was added to shoreline. A revetment is an impact-resistant material applied to a bank or wall in order to absorb the energy of incoming water and protect it from erosion. Mangroves were another important addition for the ecosystem. They offer shoreline protection, improve water quality by filtering out pollutants, and they offer shelter for juvenile marine life. There is a sign next to the shoreline in the park explaining the project. Also in this park is a memorial to its namesake, Gilbert W. Douglas who served as mayor from 1961-1967. The plaque is attached to a rock next to the flagpole. He must have done a great job to have such a lovely park named in his honor.

This boat dock is conveniently located on Highway 1 and has plenty of parking. It is relatively…read morewell maintained and obviously a very popular spot. The parking lot was pretty loaded when I pulled in.

This is a very nice neighborhood park in Indialantic, a mile long town that got its name from its…read moreplacement between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean. Orlando park is 2.62 acres and full of recreational amenities enjoyed by the community. These include a hiking path, picnic pavilion, gazebo, drinking fountain, benches, picnic tables, full basketball court, half basketball court, see saw, fire truck, climbing walls, fun tunnel, track slide, tot swing set, swing set, chin up bars, and horizontal ladder. The open lawn and tables are great for unstructured play, picnicking, and family gatherings .The lush landscaped grounds make it inviting for play, exercise, and relaxation. The most interesting discovery was made in a corner of the park where I found a cannon from the El San Francisco de Asis sunk in 1731. According to the sign underneath, it was recovered by Jack Deppner who donated it to the town of Indialantic. Deppner was a history teacher at the middle school, the President of the Brevard Historical Society, and a salvage diver. He made national news when his students tried to find a time capsule that he buried in the 1970's at the school but forgot where.

In October of 2024 South Beach Community Park was renamed Nancy Higgs Park to honor her life,…read morelegacy, and service to Brevard County. Nancy Higgs was a resident of Brevard County for 44 years and served as a Brevard County Commissioner from 1992 to 2004. She was the Children's Home Society Legislator of the Year and received the 1,000 Friends of Florida Community Steward Award and the Sierra Club Lifetime Achievement Award. She also served as a board member of the Marine Resources Council, the Barrier Island Preservation and Protection Association, and was well known as a strong advocate for the Indian River Lagoon. Nancy Higgs passed away at the age of 75 on July 10, 2024. Nancy Higgs Park is a spacious 68.6 acres with both active and passive recreational activities. There is a multi-use field, pickleball courts, a playground, disc golf course, dog park, benches, two small pavilions and one medium, and restrooms. The 18,000 square foot Nancy Higgs Community Center has a gymnasium with basketball and pickleball courts, banquet kitchen, banquet room, three meeting rooms, and two restrooms. The park hosts programs and events throughout the year like camps and the South Beaches Concert Series. I especially enjoyed the walking trail which connects to the Indian River Lagoon Preserve State Park where there are hiking trails. With a playground, sports facilities, walking trails, and indoor courts, this dog and family friendly park has something for everyone. This is the ideal recreational space for a playdate, picnic, dog walk, a sports outing, or an event.

We played pickle ball in as many parks as possible on our Space Coast vacation. Nancy Higgs Park…read morewas fabulous!