Kelsey Park is named for Harry Seymour Kelsey, a wealthy Bostonian who joined the Florida land boom…read morein 1919 when he bought 30,000 acres in north Palm Beach. Eventually he went on to own 100,000 acres. He founded Kelsey City and invested a million dollars. The first lots of land he sold for development are where the park stands today. Eventual money problems with the IRS and the Great Depression forced Kelsey to sell his town and in 1939 residents voted to change the name of the town to Lake Park. Located in the park is the historic 1925 mission style Evergreen House. It belongs to the Lake Park Historical Society and they hold meeting and lectures in Evergreen House. The house has cypress ceilings and front door and Dade pine floors and a fireplace. It's back patio overlooks Kelsey Park. The park has six tennis court and area residents can schedule lessons. There is a children's playground and the park has two beautiful fountains and a gazebo that can be rented from the city for events. There are covered picnic tables and a restroom. A street cuts the park in half. On the opposite side is the part of the park that lines the Lake Worth Lagoon. This part of the park has a parking lot and an area for fishing. I love the history that resides in this park. The city of Lake Park has honored their founder while creating a wonderful green space that can be used by town residents today, Many events are staged by the city here including an upcoming Easter egg hunt. This park is a beautiful place to bring the community together.

This place is cute. I like to go there to walk along the ocean wall and look in the water. I saw a…read moresmall stingray there the other day. Someone was catching some small mangrove snappers as well. You have to go here during the sunset, you will not regret it whatsoever. Stunning views and can get some very nice photos (as seen)!!

One of the last projects of Addison Mizner's storied architectural career resides in the center of…read morethe town of Palm Beach. Mizner moved to the area in 1918 and that same year he completed his first project, The Everglades Club. He was well known for his use of the Mediterranean style in his buildings which proliferated all over Palm Beach and Boca over the next decade. During the Great Depression the Memorial Fountain Commission chaired by Harold S. Vanderbilt, commissioned a fountain from Addison Mizner. It was presented in 1929 to the Town of Palm Beach as a "gift for its residents." Mizner based his design of the Fountain of the Sea Horses, an 18th century art piece created by Christopher Unterberget at the Villa Borghese in Rome Italy. The double bowl cast stone fountain features four mythical seahorses also called hippocamps from Greek and Roman mythology. The fountain is located at the end of linear plaza passive park which also contains reflecting pools, walkways, and palm trees. The park was dedicated in 1925 to the memory of Henry M. Flagler who brought the railroad and development to Florida and Elisha N. Dimick who opened the first hotel in Palm Beach, the Cocoanut Grove House in 1880. A World War II memorial plaque was added in 1985. In 2017 the fountain was restored for 1.5 million dollars and it won a national public works award. Experts were brought in from all over North America and the fountain was taken apart in pieces and the hippocamps were trucked to Ontario, Canada while other parts of the fountain were repaired in Delray Beach, and the base was fixed onsite. Once finished, the fountain won the top prize on the category of historical restoration projects that cost less than 5 million. The fountain was the start of the 7.9 million dollar Town Square restoration project that began in February of 2015 and was completed in December of that year. Today the fountain is a well known Palm Beach landmark and it is a popular photography spot. In fact on the day I visited it was being used by a wedding party. If you can't get to Italy you can at least experience a little bit of European design in Palm Beach, thanks to the talented Addison Mizner.

This is a beautiful fountain park only wish I could have sat at this park but with the corona virus…read more,it best to just view it quickly. If you can come and see it one day . Dedicated by the Memorial Fountain Commission in 1929 and located in the commercial heart of the Town of Palm Beach, the plaza was presented to the town by Harold S. Vanderbilt, its chairman, "as a gift from its residents." The design was by local architect Addison Mizner. Mizner moved to Palm Beach in 1918 and later that year completed his first commission, the Everglades Club. For the next decade, his celebrated Mediterranean Revival style would proliferate in Palm Beach and Boca Raton with commissions also in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Memorial Fountain Park, realized during the Great Depression, was one of his last commissions. The design is a simple linear plaza with a central reflecting pool lined by walks, tightly clipped hedges and evenly spaced palms. On the upper terrace is a central fountain, inspired by the Fountain of the Sea Horses, an 18th century work by Christopher Unterberger at the Villa Borghese in Rome, Italy. Twin sets of staircases running the entire width of the plaza provide access to the upper terrace. The lower staircase on axis with the fountain has a central rill spilling into the pool. The plaza is punctuated by alcoves and walls for seating, and entrance piers with urns marking the arrival to the upper terrace and lower plaza. A World War II memorial plaque was added in 1985.

Great city of riviera beach. Go see the manatee museum observatory. Very clean place. Cute gift…read moreshop inside.

Over 800 years ago, the area that is now known as Riviera Beach was home to the Tequesta who lived…read moreon the sheltered side of Lake Worth where they built two shell mounds. They lived on fish, shellfish, berries and small game but by 1750 they had completely disappeared. In the early 1880's pioneers started moving into the area. Riviera Beach was originally called Oak Lawn until it was renamed Riviera in 1893 after the French Riviera. It was initially developed as a resort town with a pier but several hurricanes came through the area and thwarted its growth. During the land boom years in the 1920's the area grew rapidly. On September 29, 1922 it was incorporated as the Town of Riviera. After WWII many Gi's moved to Florida to recover from the war leading to another boom in the area. In 1941 Beach was added to the town name and in 1959 it became the City of Riviera Beach. In the 1970's there was another period of growth as the Port of Palm Beach was expanded and many new subdivisions were built. Today Riviera Beach is a coastal city in Palm Beach County with a thriving population of over 37,000 people favored by retirees and tourists. It is home to the Port of Palm Beach and a United States Coast Guard station. At the Riviera Beach Marina visitors can rent boats, go fishing, or take a leisurely cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway. One of the best reasons to visit Riviera Beach is to enjoy the beach at a beach park like Ocean Reef Park. If you are looking to boat there is Jim Barry Light Harbor Park. One of my favorite places in Riviera Beach is Peanut Island where you can take the shuttle and snorkel right off the beach. The Blue Heron Bridge is also another great snorkel and dive site. Another location my family has enjoyed through the years is the Rapids, a water park with thrilling water slides. Riviera Beach has managed to keep its small town feel and remains an ideal destination for anyone looking to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf while also experiencing a warm and friendly community. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, this charming city has something for everyone.

Lake Clarke Shores is a small residential town in Palm Beach County. It was founded by John Newton…read moreClarke who arrived in Lake Worth in 1889. He worked various jobs before establishing a homestead and fishing camp. Lake Clarke bears his name. The land was developed into a town when West Palm Beach attorney William Travers purchased land that became exposed when the waters of Lake Clarke fell. He developed the land and sold lots and by 1956 there were 150 registered voters living in the area. The town was fearful of being annexed into West Palm Beach so in 1957 they voted to incorporate themselves as the town of Lake Clarke Shore. Community Park is one of five parks in Lake Clarke Shores. This well maintained park has something for all ages to enjoy. There are two pickleball courts, 2-5 year old tot lot playground, 5-11 year old playground, benches, outdoor fitness equipment, a multipurpose field, picnic pavilions, and a restroom. I enjoyed strolling through the park on the 1/4 mile walking trail. Community Park reaffirms Lake Clarke Shores commitment to providing inviting outdoor spaces for recreation. This park represents the town's small-town, family-friendly atmosphere.

Alice Mickens Park is located in the historic Northwest neighborhood in West Palm Beach. In the…read more1920's this neighborhood was booming after WWI and it was made up of impressive homes owned by affluent middle class blacks. One such home was the Mickens house which was a destination of black scholars and intellectuals and visitors who were refused lodging at nearby hotels. These included Count Basie and Louis Armstrong when they were performing in the area. Other notable people who came here to meet with the Mickens family included Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ralph Bunche, Asa Philip Randolph, who organized the first predominantly Black labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach in 1929, who came to West Palm Beach to raise money and persuade the state Legislature to build a home for young Black women who would have otherwise been put in prison. Alice Mickens passed away in 1988 at the age of 99. She lived by the mantra "Service is the price you pay for the stint you have on earth." Alice Mickens was sixth and youngest child of former slaves from South Carolina. Dr. Mickens was born in Bartow, but moved to West Palm Beach at an early age. She was an honors graduate from Spelman College in Atlanta. Later in life Mickens served as a trustee at Bethune-Cookman for more than three decades and received an honorary doctorate from the university. A science lecture hall there is named in her honor. Dr. Alice Mickens may be best remembered as a pioneer for black voting rights. Dr. Moore's 1917 home built by her husband Haley Mickens and which has the distinction of being the oldest home continuously owned by a black and the Northwest neighborhood are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Through the years the neighborhood deteriorated but exciting things are happening. The city is in the process of identifying historic structures and drafting plans that include residential spaces and a restaurant. Some of the construction is happening across the street from the park. Alice Mickens Park offers am acre of recreational space in the midst of this historic neighborhood. Park amenities include a shade covered playground with areas for toddlers and older children, a full size basketball court, and benches. This park is the heart of a historic community in transmission. As a champion of historic preservation, I can't wait to see what the next chapter holds.

West Palm Beach is the county seat four Palm Beach County. It stretches from the Atlantic Ocean…read moreinto the rural center & northern edge of the Everglades. The coastline has numerous golf courses and sandy beaches. Industrialist Henry Flagler's grand 1902 mansion in the town of Palm Beach is now a museum. Some of the town's other Gilded Age mansions have tunnels that lead to the shore. The county population is 1.534 million over a total area of 2,386 square miles. PBC is the largest county by mileage in the state. The average winter daytime temp in PBC is 74 degrees & 89 degrees in the summer. It rains an average of 62 inches annually. The last time it snowed in the county was 1978. Palm Beach County's Parks & Recreation Department operates 110 parks & recreation facilities, including 2 water parks. Many county parks feature athletic facilities, campsites, trails & beaches. County parks include more than 8,000 acres of land for residents to explore. "Billionaire's Beach" in Florida is home to 58 billionaires, including Trump, Ken Griffin, Julia Koch & Stephen Schwarzman. The wealth of these Palm Beach homeowners totals about $494.7 billion, attracting the world's 1% with pristine beaches, unparalleled privacy, tax breaks, mega-mansions, and exclusivity.

A nice park with beautiful large trees. I saw picking areas and nice walking trails. There are so…read moremany different kind of ducks here.

Today's adventure takes me to Pump House Beach on Singer Island in Riviera Beach. This beach is…read moreknown for being the easternmost point of Florida at the Palm Beach Inlet. It gets its name from the 1958 sand transfer station that was built to bypass sand across the inlet, moving it from the north end of Singer Island to the south end of Palm Beach Island. Pump House Beach is mostly a locals' spot because there is no parking nearby. To get there, you'll need to park at Riviera Municipal Beach, which is a perfectly nice beach in its own right if you decide not to make the walk. It has restrooms, picnic pavilions, and grills. Even though there's a pay kiosk, I was pleasantly surprised when it told me that parking was complimentary the day I visited. Right across from the municipal beach is a large shopping plaza with plenty of places to grab food and drinks or pick up anything you might need for a beach day. If you decide to make the trek the adventure begins. Head south along Ocean Drive for about a 10-minute walk. Just after you pass Linda Lane, look to your left for a path known as the Enchanted Walkway, a beautiful tunnel of sea grapes that leads directly to the beach. The walk is only about half a mile, but with temperatures over 100 degrees that day, it felt longer. By the time I reached the sea grape tunnel, I was heat exhausted. Fortunately, the skies turned overcast for the walk back, making the return trip much more comfortable. Once you reach Pump House Beach, you're rewarded with an incredible beach experience. Thanks to its close proximity to the Gulf Stream, the water is often crystal clear around high tide. The area next to the pump house drops off quickly and is a popular snorkeling area along with nearby Phil Foster Park and Peanut Island. I saw countless tropical fish but stingrays and sea turtles are also known to frequent the area. For the clearest water and best visibility, plan to arrive about an hour before high tide. Pump House Beach is perfect for locals or anyone who doesn't mind a bit of a walk. I traveled light with just a towel, snorkel gear, and water. If I wanted to bring a beach chair, cooler, or other gear, I'd probably set up at Riviera Municipal Beach instead. I'm glad I finally got to experience this special spot. It may take a little extra effort to get here, but the clear water and excellent snorkeling make the journey worth it.

Earl E. T. Smith Park is pocket park in Palm Beach across the street from City Hall on the west…read moreside. In 1987 the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach purchased a parking lot to create a park in honor of founding Chairman Earl E. T. Smith, a resident of Palm Beach for over 50 years. Smith was a civic and political leader who served as U.S. Ambassador to Cuba, Mayor of Palm Beach from 1971 to 1977, and as the first Chairman of the Board of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach. It is because of Earl Smith's passion to preserve the town he loved that this park was named in his honor and dedicated to him in 1989. Smith passed away in 1991. The parks design was created by project architect Gerard Beekman of Gramatan Corp. It is based on the Garden Club's original 1929 plan for a town square but by the 2000's the park had fallen into disrepair. Sam Lehrman, who moved to Palm Beach in 2012, undertook the renovation of the park in time for the January 15 Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach's 40th anniversary. Lehrman is the founder and president of Lehrco Corp., a Washington, D.C. based retail development and management company. The outside of the park is framed by bougainvillea. The center of the park has a carved limestone fountain that replaced the broken and stained cast stone fountain that was installed in 1989. Surrounding the fountain are benches to sit on. A plaque highlighting Earl Smiths achievements were added and the landscaping was refreshed. Visiting this park is like discovering a secret hidden oasis. What a beautiful place to relax and reflect on the beauty and history of Palm Beach.