This scenic 56 acre park located in Port St. Lucie was created in 2007. There is a one mile…read moresidewalk along the lake perfect for walking, jogging, and biking. The park has two observation platforms where you can observe wading birds, alligators, and turtles in the lake. Fishing is allowed along the shoreline. The park has benches, restrooms, and outdoor fitness equipment. It is open every day from 8 AM until dusk.

Fletcher Beach is located one half mile south of Stuart Beach on A1A and just north of Gilbert's…read moreBar Refuge House Museum on Hutchinson Island. The Scott and Billie Fletcher Beach was purchased by Martin County in 1973. This is the only beach on this end of Hutchinson Island that I was easily able to find parking for. It does not have a lifeguard or restrooms so it is not as popular as some of the other beaches. While it may lack in amenities it is more secluded which is nice if you are looking for a more peaceful beach experience. From the parking area you just hike up a trail over the sand dune to the beach. The beaches on this part of Hutchinson Island have rocky looking outcroppings known as the Anastasia formation which was named by E. H. Sellards in 1912. The formation was deposited during the deposited during the late Pleistocene and the "rocks" are really sand and coquina limestone embedded with mollusk shells and sparry calcite. It forms cliffs and caves that form a habitat for sea life. It is not very comfortable on bare feet but it makes a lovely backdrop for pictures. If you are looking for a more off the beaten path beach, Fletcher Beach is ideal for sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, fishing, surfing, swimming, and photography.

This spot was a place that my parents decided to take me when I was visiting them in Florida for…read morethe holiday. They wanted to do something outdoorsy but safe so we decided to visit the beach for a bonfire. The beach was a quick drive from their condo and the parking was just off the road, and the parks department keeps the lot clean. You have to walk on a wooden path to get to the beach which is over a slight hill. The beach is large and well kept, we found a perfect spot to build a small fire and just relax and star gaze. As far as beaches go, it's a nice one! I didn't see any trash which is always impressive to me. This is a place I'd like to come back in the daylight to check out and do a traditional beach day. But if you want to enjoy a nice fire and beautiful night skies, this is your place! Kudos to to Florida and their awesome beaches.

This is a neighborhood park located in the the Palm Lake Gardens neighborhood completed in 2005 in…read moreFt. Pierce. The park is set up around a lake. You can exercise by walking a path that runs the perimeter of the lake. Other park amenities include grills, pavilions, picnic tables, and a playground. You can't swim in the lake but people use it for RC boat racing. The lake is stocked so it is a popular fishing spot. I saw quite a bit of wildlife during my visit including a heron, turtles, and a young alligator. This is a really beautiful spot to cook out, picnic, fish, or just take a stroll. As I was leaving I saw someone walking their dog right next to the edge of the water. I cannot not emphasize enough that this is not a smart thing to do. At a park in Davie a woman was killed doing the same thing. An alligator attacked her dogs and she was killed trying to save them. Alligators will not normally attack people but they have been known to go for dogs at the waters edge. I definitely saw alligator activity at this lake. Children and pets should not be near the edge of water where there could possibly be alligators. Prevent another tragedy and stay on the path.

When the $90 million Crosstown Parkway was built it included an $800,000, 1.8 acre fenced park…read morealong the St. Lucie River underneath the bridge. The park on Coral Reef Street is nicknamed Pineapple Snook Plaza for its pineapple art and because it is a great place to fish on the river for snook, an estuarine and freshwater-dependent fish species. They are a prized game fish in Florida popular for their firm and tender flesh. Grilling is a popular cooking method but you have to take off the soapy tasting skin. In addition to the fishing dock and public art, the park also has a floating dock and kayak launch, parking lot, paved walkways with inlaid murals, benches, and a 20 foot wide gazebo. SE Cor5al Reef Park offers beautiful views of the St. Lucie River and Halpatiokee Park. I had a great time watching the osprey swoop down into the river to catch fish while I chilled with a baby alligator swimming under the bridge.

This is the nature center at the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge. Originally…read morenamed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, this preserve was established September 30, 1969. Nathaniel P. Reed's parents helped to create the preserve by donating swaths of land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service near the Indian River Lagoon in the 1960s and early 1970s. On April 17, 2019, the name of the preserve was changed to honor their son environmentalist Nathaniel Pryor Reed who was the environmental advisor to Florida governor Claude R. Kirk Jr. in the 1960's. He also served as environmental advisor to Assistant Secretary of the Interior to presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford from 1971 to 1977. Reed was instrumental in drafting the Endangered Species Act and saving Big Cypress Swamp. The Clean Water Act is also part of his legacy. He was known for fighting for the environment before it was cool to do so. Reed was a long time Jupiter Island resident. He passed away in July of 2018 after falling and hitting his head after hooking a 16 pound salmon while fishing in Quebec. The refuge is located on the coast of Martin County and it is divided by the Indian River Lagoon into two separate tracts of land totaling over 1000 acres. The Jupiter land tract is 735 acres and is important to the environment because it contains the largest complete section (3.5 miles of Atlantic Ocean Beach) of undeveloped beach in Southeastern Florida. As a result of the uninterrupted beach it is one of the most productive sea turtle nesting areas in the Southeastern United States. The Refuge protects 40 species of sea turtles listed as either threatened, endangered, or of special concern. Florida is the only state where endangered Leatherback Sea Turtles nest. The 300 acre sand pine scrub area is rare because the high, dry land was ideal for building on, so more than 90 percent of this ecosystem in Florida has been lost to development. You only find sand pine scrub in Florida and Alabama. The preserve also contains 10 miles of mangrove communities along the Indian River Lagoon. This National Wildlife Refuge has a large biodiversity of plants and animals. The last time I visited this refuge in 2021, the visitors center was closed for renovations so I was interested in visiting this trip. The nature center is run by a private, non-profit organization, that is dedicated to promoting an environmental awareness in people of all ages. The nature center building is made up of a exhibit hall, classroom/ lab, and a gift shop. Exhibits in the nature center include the sand pine scrub, Indian River Lagoon, The Atlantic Ocean, Jupiter Island, protecting biodiversity, adaptions for survival, and information about the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve. There are tanks with fish and reptiles to view. The nature center hosts turtle walks, summer camps, evening forums, scrub tours and more. It is free to visit the nature center but some of the events may have an additional charge. Check out their website for a complete list of upcoming events. On Earth Day April 22nd they will be offering free family activities, games and crafts. Before you leave be sure and check out the cute gift shop with an assortment of nature themed items. Next to the parking lot is a stairway that takes you down to a beautiful beach where you can swim. You can also hike the scrub surrounding the nature center. There is so much to enjoy at the refuge and I always enjoy my visits.

Nice trail heading to the beach and the nature center has lots of animals including fish, a snake,…read moreowl, salamander and hawk.

Just down the road from Heathcote Botanical Gardens is the lovely and functional 20 acre Indian…read moreHills Recreation Area. It is located on the south side of Savannah Road. The pond in this natural area is part of a stormwater retention area project that provides treatment for an 1,242-acre watershed before runoff can reach and pollute the Indian River Lagoon. It was created out of a partnership between the City of Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County. While the wetlands were created to clean the water they also attract a diverse array of wildlife which in turn attracts nature enthusiasts, hikers, birders. wildlife viewers, and photographers. Indian Hills is home to alligators, turtles, and wading birds that can be seen while wandering along the sidewalks and bridges. This recreation area also has a fishing pier and a covered pavilion with picnic tables near the parking area. The .9 mile loop path around the pond is perfect for all ages and fitness levels so pack a lunch and get out and enjoy nature.

Free outdoor theatre--what's not to love? We saw The Winter's Tale, and the cast delivered an…read moreexceptional performance, bringing the story to life with humor, energy, and creativity. It was a fun and thoroughly entertaining experience, especially for fans of the arts. Be prepared for the Florida heat--it was hot and humid, so bringing a portable fan or staying hydrated is a smart move. Overall, a fantastic night out under the stars. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates live theatre in a unique and relaxed setting!

Great park with two distinct areas. One side of A1A is a park featuring a walking trail, tennis and…read morepickleball courts. The other side features the beach area with a large parking lot, bathrooms, several beach access areas, lifeguards, picnic tables and charcoal grills. Great area for shell collectors and surfers.

It is a bit of an adventure to get out here but the view makes it worth it. This park was named in…read morehonor of Sam J. Pendarvis who was born on November 1, 1888 in Florida. He was a pioneer who settled on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River about 1908. He died August 6, 1968. This park is also located on the north fork of the St. Lucie River in the area where Pendarvis lived. The park has picnic table pavilions, a restroom, and a boat launch. I loved catching site of an osprey high up in the tree. The park is kept in a very natural state. You can only go in one direction as you drive along the loop that encircles the park. Even though it seems very out of the way, I saw several people enjoying the picnic tables and sitting near the small beach area during my visit.