The first cool off of the season came in Friday night and I couldn't be happier. Hiking days are here again! I discovered this dirt and boardwalk hiking trail by accident and it was perfect, very scenic and the right length. This 187 acre preserve is located on the corner of 8th Street and Indian River Boulevard. The Lagoon Greenway is managed by the non profit Indian River Land Trust which was created in 1990 to save McKee Botanical Garden from development. Since then the trust has acquired more than 1,000 acres of land and 10 miles of shoreline along the Indian River Lagoon. The Lagoon Greenway opened in 2012 and is owned by a partnership of groups who put the land together which includes the Indian River County, the Florida Inland Navigation District and the St. Johns River Water Management District.
Through the preserve runs three mile of trails that take you to the Indian River Lagoon. As you make your way along the half mail main trail to the lagoon you travel through an oak and palm tree hammock with Spanish moss dripping from the trees from limbs, a high salt marsh wetland, and a mangrove forest. Invasive Australian pine trees were removed from Lagoon Greenway allowing for the native plants and flowers to regrow. The main trail ends in a two mile loop trail.
During my walk I saw herons and egrets, butterflies, and crabs. Unfortunately it had rained earlier and the trail was extremely muddy. During the rainy season the trail becomes flooded. The trail is open year round from sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs are welcome. read more