The name Lake Okeechobee was first documented by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Okeechobee…read moremeans "big water" in the Hitchiti Seminole Indian language. With a surface area of 730 square miles, it is the largest lake in the southeastern United States but relatively shallow at only 10 to 12 feet deep. The primary source of water for the lake is the Kissimmee River located just to the north of the lake. Before European settlers arrived, the lake was home to Native Americans including the Calusa and Seminole tribes. The late 19th century saw the arrival of European settlers who farmed and raised cattle which became an important industry in the region. The fertile land around Lake Okeechobee attracted many farmers for its agricultural potential. The Hurricane of 1928 caused the lake's dike to fail, resulting in catastrophic flooding and the loss of as many as 3,000 people who were in the area to pick crops. There are several mass burial sites of hurricane victims in the area. In the 1930's the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Herbert Hoover Dike to prevent future flooding disasters. The dike was completed in the 1960's and serves to protect the surrounding communities from lake overflow. The Okeechobee Waterway, a canal system connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, was completed in the mid-20th century. This waterway included the Caloosahatchee River and the St. Lucie Canal, providing a navigable route across the state of Florida. While the canal system facilitated the transportation of goods and contributed to the agricultural development of the region, it negatively impacted the health of Lake Okeechobee with agriculture runoff. Current efforts are focused on restoring the water quality and health of the lake while still meeting the agriculture needs of the surrounding farms. Lake Okeechobee is one of those Florida landmarks you have to experience at least once. Surrounding the lake is the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, a mostly paved 109 mile trail that sits on top of the Herbert Hoover Dike. Along the trail are parks with amenities like picnic areas and restrooms. The trail is ideal for bikers, bird watchers, and anyone who wants a scenic views of the lake. Some of my favorite stops around the lake are the John Stretch Memorial Park, Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area, and the Lake Okeechobee North Pier. The lake is known for bass, crappie also known as speckled perch, and bluegill fishing and there are number of fishing camps and places that offer fishing and boating excursions on the lake. Charming small towns like Clewiston, Belle Glade, and Okeechobee also surround the lake and are places where you can see buildings and places of historical interest and grab a meal. One of my favorite Okeechobee festivals is the Speckled Perch festival which celebrates the fishing heritage of the area and where you can see an authentic cattle drive. Lake Okeechobee is a a great place to explore and experience the more natural side of Florida.

Great day for the family to experience some Florida wildlife! Airboat rides and bass fishing!read more

A stormwater treatment area is a man made wetland created to clean the nutrients that are created…read moreby the surrounding farmland before the runoff containing phosphorus is able to reach the Everglades. Too much phosphorus can affect the coverage of sawgrass and open water slough which provide habitats for the many unique animals and plants that live in the Everglades. Around the wetlands you may see man made structures that collect scientific data and which control water flow. Water quality is monitored by sampling equipment at the pump stations. Nutrients are removed and stored in the plant growth. Dead plants are then converted into a layer of peat and soil which contains the phosphorus which is trapped in the soil. Levees and canals ring the treatment areas which are divided into cells. Some of the cells have underwater vegetation such as hydrilla, southern niaiad, and chara.. Others have dense cattail, pickerel weed, and bulrush growth depending on the kind of water treatment needed. Another important way nutrients are removed from the water are by a class of organisms called periphton which includes algae and bacteria. First the water is moved through the first cell with emergent vegetation and then into one with submerged vegetation. Every time the water moves it gets cleaner. There are currently five stormwater treatment areas south of Lake Okeechobee while two stormwater treatment areas north of Lake Okeechobee are in the planning stages. In 2013 the Audubon Society of Martin County took over this water conservation project, the 2,600 acre Lakeside Ranch Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) managed by the South Florida Water Management District. This area utilizes natural wetlands to clean the water flowing south from the Kissimmee River into Lake Okeechobee forming a vital step in restoring the quality of water flowing out from Lake Okeechobee during the rainy season. Approximately 2,700 acres of Lakeside Ranch Storm Treatment Area is open to the public for hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, and photography. The main parking area is located on Highway 441 2.5 miles south of County Road 15B / SE 126th Blvd and there is a second parking area west of State Road 710 in southern Okeechobee County. The parking area has a restroom, informational kiosk, and a shelter. The Audubon Society of Martin County often has guided hikes of STA. The next one is for photography on November 2nd from 3:30 to 6:30 PM. You have to sign a waiver and after hiking here I think I know why. As I was walking to get closer to a bird to take a picture an alligator I didn't see leaped right off the bank next to me into the water. I don't know who was more startled me or him. This is a place you want to pay attention. In addition to the jumpy alligator I saw blue herons, osprey, and black vultures. You could hike miles here and not see another person, The next time I come back I think it will be with the Audubon Society.

People who visit Lake Okeechobee for the first time might be surprised to find that you can't…read morereally see it from the road. The Hurricane of 1928 caused the lake's dike to fail, resulting in catastrophic flooding and the loss of life. There are several mass burial sites of hurricane victims in the area. To protect the people who live around the lake, in the 1930's the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing the Herbert Hoover Dike to prevent future flooding disasters. The dike was completed in the 1960s and serves to protect the surrounding communities from lake overflow. Consequently you need to find access roads that take you up to the lake in order to see it. One such favorite scenic spot to see the largest fresh water lake in Florida is in Lake Okeechobee Park. Through the years this park has been known as Jaycee Park, Lock 7, Lakefront Park, and Parrott Avenue Wayside. The park has been officially renamed Clif J. Betts Jr. Lakeside Recreation Area for a county commissioner who helped guide planning for county parks before his death in 2011. The highlight of this park is a 400 foot fishing pier which I enjoyed for the views of the lake and the birds but which is loved by anglers who fish for large mouth bass and speckled perch. Other park amenities include paved parking, picnic tables, and restrooms with potable water. Hikers and cyclists can access to the Florida Trail/Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail on the dike up above the recreation area. To reach it use the entrance road or the paved path behind the restrooms. If you head east you can travel three miles to Taylor Creek and if you head west you can travel four miles to Okee-Tantie.

This is a great place for a walk. It was upsetting to see all the power plants omitting toxins and…read morepoisoning the people of Okeechobee in the background.

Tropical Farms is a neighborhood in Stuart, Florida. Way back in 1910, this area was a convict…read morecamp, part of the convict camps that began in the deep South in the late 1800s. By the early 1900's they grew in number to provide laborers for industries such as logging, phosphate mining, farming, railroad building, sawmills and turpentine production. Private industries leased the men from the state for a fee and had to provide them with shelter, food, and medical care. A few years later the Tropical Farms camp moved south to Delray Beach to clear roads. The camps were abolished in the 1920's after investigations revealed abuse of prisoners. Today this area remains rural with farms and many people owning horses. The Tropical Farms Park is a basic neighborhood park located next to Tropical Farms Fire Station 22. The fenced in park has amenities that include a large open field, covered pavilions with picnic tables and grills, and a playground with swings, slides, and climbing structures. This park is good for picnics, cookouts, and play.

I was visiting Florida to see my family over winter break, and I noticed a bunch of trees so I…read moreasked that we pull over to check them out. We had a great time checking out all of the decorated trees and the different themes! This is a lovely park that is well maintained and clean! I would certainly come back to visit given the chance.

Memorial Park is a great park in Stuart, Florida. It is well maintained and the great place to kick…read moreback and enjoy a moment's respite from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. The park also serves as memorial to the brave people who fought for the freedom that our nation was built upon. There is on street parking, however it can be a bit tight and the road is a bit narrow so getting in and out of your car should be met with a bit of caution. It is a pleasant park to walk around and it is pretty much on the middle of Stuart, Florida. It does have a memorial for our military and a nice walkway throughout the park. If you find yourself in Stuart, Florida and are looking for a park to chill in, this is a great park to do so. All in all, I will definitely recommend here and I will give it five stars. Go check it out the next time that you are in Stuart, Florida. Remember our military and enjoy the break from the day to day grind of the modern world. I will give it five stars.

This beautiful twelve acre island park is located on the north fork of the St. Lucie River. In the…read moreearly 1960's the Kintz family, established a small fishing camp here. The marina has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years. Today it includes a boat launch and a small dockside store that carries bait and fishing supplies for people who want to fish off the platforms and piers throughout the park. River Park Marina is not just a fishing destination. The park also has restrooms, pavilions with picnic tables and grills, and a large playground. There is canoe and kayak launch and this is a great park for bird watching, both from land and from the river. There is also a hiking trail through the park. River Park Marina is the home of River Lily Cruises on a trident pontoon boat with a covered canopy. It is the longest continuously operating tour in St Lucie County. They offer an hour and a half eco tours that departs at 11 AM, October through July. They also have an Evening Relaxation Cruise on a different part of the river. Check their website for times, reservations, and prices.

Came and went to this area in FL. It had a beautiful view. Go and check it out. It'll be worth it,…read moreplus you can catch crab , fish and see dolphins there too. It's worth the drive!! Ya'll enjoy!!

The Preserve is not for everyone, but we did the hike and it looked like someone forgot to cut the…read moregrass in the walking trail part. As you walked you are surrounded by water on both sides and at any moment I was expecting to see an alligator sunning itself but we were lucky. We saw a stream and heard the trickle of the water and the stillness of being out in the woods.Kind of unnerving at times so we were looking for wild life but not alligators and Im sure there might have been some but I was praying for safety. We did see about 5 deers and they were so beautiful and this was worth the walk. This place has a port a potty at the beginning of the course. We were the only people out here a very desolate place with no where to sit only walk and grass up to your ankles. This course is only for the brave. Also a lot of horse poop on the trail. Beware of where you walk.

Wanted to stop by and collect this on a tour of South Florida state parks. This park is not for…read moreeveryone. It is a dirt road entrance at the end of a residential community street. The park entrance is gated and you have to call Jonathan Dickinson at 772-546-2771 to get the gate access code. This is also the number you call if you get lost. Once you are in there are no facilities of any kind. No restrooms, no convenience store, no anything. The sign at the gate entrance says bring water, your (charged) cell phone, GPS or a map, and gear for a truly off the grid wilderness experience. Not a place for kids or dogs. Not a lot of canopy cover. Expect no creature comforts of any kind. If you are tired of people and want to get away from it all, come here. But be prepared. This is not a place to stop by and wing it without hiking gear.

Midport Lake Neighborhood Park is a 12 acre passive park around a lake. It is one of string of…read moreparks along Veterans Memorial Parkway. Midpoint has a fitness station located next to the street with several pieces of equipment to work different parts of the body. There are no restrooms or water fountains. This park is ideal for fishing but note that nonmotorized watercraft are not allowed on the lake. During my visit people were enjoying a picnic while someone else was allowing their dog to play at the waters edge which is never a good idea because you need to assume that if there is a lake in Florida, there are alligators present. In fact there was a sign warning of alligators. This park also turned out to be a great place to birdwatch. I enjoyed watching a blue jay and the water will attract native wading birds. If you are looking for a quiet place to enjoy nature, Midport Lake Neighborhood Park is a peaceful place.