Another great Florida park! We decided to stop here again to enjoy the nice weather, and let the…read morekids burn off some energy. I'm impressed how clean parks are in Florida, not one scrap of liter to be found, after the kids grew tried of the playground, we decided to walk on a bit of the board walk! If you are in the area, please visit, it's very peaceful!

Park is clean and I like using their basketball courts. The walking path is also nice.read more

I've run and biked past Rio Nature Park quite a few times over the years and SCW and I decided to…read morestop in while we were biking by. There is a little bit of parking off the street perhaps for two or three vehicles. No bike racks available. You set off towards the water along a small short trail that has local trees and vegetation native to our area with signs that explain what the trees or shrubs are. Probably about half dozen of those while you walk along the dirt path in shade until you come to the water. There you will find a small beach point maybe 8 feet wide and a nice covered table and chairs in which you can have a pick nick or just enjoy the view of the inlet over into Stuart. It is quite the view! The park is quite small and no real way to avoid it being overcrowded very quickly. If I saw a car there or people I'd move along as there really isn't much space for multiple groups. However it is well maintained and quite relaxing. I will certainly stop by again.

I was exploring nature and parks in this area and found this little natural area. Unfortunately…read morethere is no parking so pull over on the side of the road at your own risk. There is a short wood chip trail that takes you down to the St. Lucie River. A few of the trees and plants are marked along the way. There is a covered picnic table and a bench by the river and the view is nice. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here but it is a pretty nature retreat for those who live in the community.

The 16 acre Lyngate Park opened in 1979 in Port St. Lucie on the north fork of the St. Lucie Rive…read moreAquatic Preserve. The park takes its name from the Lyngate neighborhood built in the 70's and 80's and which is made up of a mix of open neighborhoods, gated and ungated subdivisions with community amenities such as clubhouses and tennis courts, condos, and single family homes. Lyngate Park amenities include a 3/4 acre dog park with separate fenced-in areas for large, medium and small dogs along with shade structure and water fountain, a 36'x40' pavilion with lights, electric, water, two grills and eight 8' tables, a 24'x24' pavilion with four 10' tables, one grill, lights, and electric, two baseball/softball fields, two lighted tennis courts, basketball court with lights, four racquetball courts with lights, restrooms, sand volleyball court, and lighted playground for ages 2 to 12. Lyngate Park is home of the American Little League. Lyngate Park has well-maintained walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground that's perfect for kids. The green spaces are ideal for lounging or playing, making it a great spot for family gatherings or a peaceful afternoon. The abundance of shade trees is an especially welcome feature during the hotter months of the year. This park is a welcoming and peaceful environment that truly enhances the community spirit of Port St. Lucie. With its wide variety of amenities there is something to appeal to everyone.

I reported the noseeum/sand-flea issue to the city and county recently. Neither entity is willing…read moreto treat the infestation of biting bugs. This is a known annual problem that reoccurs each year on the ball fields but eventually goes away depending on climate per city. Mosquito repellents do not work for these biting bugs and they swarm at night biting teammates during softball games.

This popular park in Jensen Beach was named in honor of Frances Langford (1913-2005). Frances…read moreLangford was a popular singer, radio performer, and actress in the 1930's through the 1950's. She was also a boater and fisherwoman. Langford's first singing performance was staged in Lakeland. The classically-trained opera singer had a tonsillectomy in her teens, and she retrained her vocal style to the big band type of music that was popular at the time. Langford was discovered by Rudy Vallee while performing on a Tampa radio station. She worked on the radio with Vallee, Dick Powell, and Bob Hope. Her first film was Every Night at Eight (1935) which featured her singing I'm in the Mood for Love. Her other films included Yankee Doodle Dandy and The Glenn Miller Story. During WWII Frances Langford worked with the USO and traveled through North Africa and the South Pacific to visit injured GI's. She became known as the GI Nightingale. Her weekly newspaper column, "Purple Heart Diary," told of those visits and urged public support for injured soldiers. Of her time visiting the troops Langford said ""The greatest thing in my life was entertaining the troops." Langford's war-related papers can be found at the Institute on World War II at Florida State University. In 1955 she moved to Jensen Beach with her second husband Ralph Evinrude to live out her dream, Frances Langford's Outrigger Resort, where she had cottages, a restaurant, and a marina. In 1948, Frances donated 20 acres of her estate for the creation of this park. Lanford Park is located just south of the historic Stuart Welcome Arch. The park is home to the Vince Bocchino Community Center that has a kitchen and meeting space. It can be rented for private events like shower and weddings, and hosts programs that include summer camp and the Jensen After School Experience. There is also the Log Cabin Senior Center that hosts many senior programs and activities like light exercise and art classes. Other park amenities include restrooms, a playground currently closed for remodeling, four baseball diamonds, a concession stand, two basketball courts, four tennis courts, four racquetball courts, two sand volleyball courts, eleven picnic pavilions, and the newest addition, four pickleball courts. Connected to the park by a sidewalk path through the ball fields is the Pat Mark Rio-Jensen Skate Park. I enjoyed walking the park for exercise. This well maintained recreational facility brings the community of Jensen Beach together. It is a great place for play, exercise, sports, picnics, or just hanging outside enjoying the beautiful weather.

Love coming to Langford park to play tennis in the past but now they have pickle ball courts set…read moreup. There are two tennis courts and three pickle ball courts. There are wind guards on all the fences making it easier to play! This park is very clean and well kept. Very consistent flow of people coming through to play ball. There is a nice parking lot and water fountain available too. Highly recommend stopping by for a few quick hits!

Located at the south base of the Stuart Causeway and across the street from Sewall's city hall,…read morethis lovely park is located on the shores of the Indian River Lagoon providing lovely water views and fishing opportunities. The town of Sewall is very small. It is only 1/3 of a mile wide and 3 1/2 miles long and this is the town's only park. Park amenities include a playground, swing benches, and a gazebo that can be rented out from the city for private events. There is a historical sign at the entrance to the park that explains the history of Sewall's Point. You can visit the home of Sewall's founder Henry Sewall at Indian RiverSide Park. The house used to reside here at Sewalls Point but it was moved to Indian RiverSide where there is another historical building. Sewalls home was restored and open to the public for tours in 2012.

Very nice park. Clean, neat worth to check out. You can…read morefeel the ocean breeze and enjoy the outdoors.

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.

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.

Great for kids plenty of pavilions to throw your own party. and always fun to watch the trains go byread more

This park was built by the Kiwanis Club of Stuart, which has been serving the children of Martin…read moreCounty since 1938. They are the second oldest club organization in Martin County. In 1990 the Kiwanis entered into an agreement with the City of Stuart who owned the property this park sits on. The Kiwanis and the local historical society, Stuart Heritage partnered together to raise funds for the park by selling historical Stuart themed Christmas ornaments. Every year the two groups work together to study the history of Stuart and design the ornament. The first ornament was sold in 1995. Stuart Heritage sells the bulk of the ornaments and in return they get to keep $5 per ornament for their organization while the Kiwanis use their portion of the proceeds for the park. Over a million dollars has gone into park renovations. The goal of the Kiwanis Club was to create a place where all children can play. Handicap accessible vehicles can pull right up to the entrance of the park. The park has specialized play equipment including a roller tunnel, accessible see saw, airplane bouncy, and roller slide. In addition to the playground equipment the park has benches, grills, pavilions, picnic tables, paved walkways, and a restroom. Everything in the park is beautifully maintained with lots of flowering bushes and trees to add color to the park. The park can be rented from the Kiwanis Club for parties and private events. For all of the efforts put in by the Kiwanis Club, this park has been named the premier park in Martin County. I love discovering parks that are made to include all children, especially those with sensory issues or physical disabilities. The children at this park looked like they were having a wonderful time. Martin County is beautiful and when you see a park like this you know they really care about their children.

Kind of a surreal place for someone that doesn't live in Florida. Not a lot to see - it's quiet and…read morejust a place to walk around. The visitors building was closed so the $3 fee wasn't worth it plus some trails were closed or the sidewalk would just abruptly end.

Savannas Preserve State Park is made up of 6,000 acres and runs over 10 miles from Ft. Pierce to…read moreJensen Beach. The park takes its name from the fresh water marshes, also called savannas that used to line Florida's coast. This park contains the largest freshwater marsh in southeast Florida. I entered the park at the trailhead on Jensen Beach Boulevard but there is an Environmental Education Center at 2541 SE Walton Rd, Port St. Lucie. The center is open Thursday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m while Savannas Preserve State Park is open every day from 8 AM to sunset. There is a lock box where you insert you $3 cash admission. Located adjacent to the parking lot is a picnic pavilion and restrooms. From the parking lot I took the white trail which connects to trails north of Walton road. Unfortunately trail conditions become submerged during parts of the year which was the case when I visited. I took off my shoes and went barefoot and attempted the trail anyway. The grass was very soft in the dry parts but I finally lost the trail in the water at the turnoff for the marsh overlook. I found myself in the middle of the water and after seeing the alligator sign at the start of the trail I decide it wasn't such a good idea to be there and headed back. I still got a good over a mile hike in. I need to come back when the trail is dried out. Although I didn't see any animals, bobcats, deer, the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, alligators, Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Great Blue Heron, and the endangered Florida Scrub-jay all make their home in the park. I was the only one on the trail and it was very peaceful and quiet. Savannas Preserve State Park offers canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Wildlife enthusiasts and photographers can enjoy the diverse habitat and undisturbed solitude. They are 8 miles of trails for use by equestrians and hikers.

We had a great time at the botanical gardens. It's very peaceful and relaxing being surrounded by…read moresuch beautiful plants. It was free to get in so we gave a donation. It's so important for places like this to exist and get funding. It looks like you can have an event here. They also have different events and provide a lot of information about the plants they have such as where they are native to and the history. They also had a great gift shop with lots of ecofriendly useful gifts for all ages.

We stopped by at the tail end of our honeymoon while visiting family, and volunteer Rick was super…read morenice to talk to. He explained the gardens and gave us a map for us to navigate our way around. Beautiful and nicely kept botanical gardens. We came on a Tuesday and it was nice and quiet with maybe a small handful of other people also visiting. It was a pleasant walk around the grounds, talking in the Floridian sunshine and beauty of the gardens. It's not a large garden but it's still very worth a visit in my opinion!