Pepper Beach Park is a nice beachside park in Port St Lucie county. It is next to the Navy Seal…read moremuseum which is certainly worth a visit as well. You'll find lots of parking here. The times SCW and I have been through here it's never been full. You'll also find restrooms, a kids playground, tennis courts and a baseball field. Of course the expected beach access as well. They have outdoor showers as well. Pepper Beach Park is a great Park along the A1A.

This is a 54 acre beach front park in Ft. Pierce. This park is named after long term democratic…read moreFlorida senator Claude Pepper who passed away in 1989. Pepper Park is located directly behind the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. The Fort Pierce Amphibious Training Base opened here on Jan. 26, 1943 to train soldiers for WWII. This base trained the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. Obstacles like the ones the Germans were placing to stop the Allied Forces during the war were put in the water off the shore of Ft. Pierce so boat drivers could practice eluding them and teams could practice blowing them up. At Omaha Beach one Fort Pierce based unit lost 33 men but were able to destroy 5 of the obstacles. More than 140,000 military personnel trained in St. Lucie County from 1943 to 1945, when at the time there were only 20,000 area residents. The objects remained in the water long after people started using the beach for recreation. Unfortunately some people were injured and in 1991 the government did a national cleanup of former military bases during which time the objects were removed and some were given to the SEAL Museum. This park is popular with snorkelers and divers because are several shallow nearshore reefs located less than 100 yards off the beach. Pepper park also the site of state's first underwater archaeological preserve, the Urca de Lima, which is located in about 20 feet of water. The shipwreck was discovered in 1928 by William J. Beach off of the coast of Ft. Pierce. Attempts to salvage the cargo yielded little except for one silver bar and cannons since the Spanish recovered most of the ships cargo in 1715. In 1985 and 1987 the wreck was mapped and in 1987 Florida's first archaeological underwater preserve opened. In 2001 the wreck was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Urca de Lima is featured in the Starz show Black Sails which was devised as a prequel to Treasure Island. Captain Flint buried the gold from the Urca de Lima on Treasure Island. Other park amenities include lifeguards on the beach, fishing, picnic pavilions with tables, grills, restrooms, and a playground shaped like a ship. There is so much history here and so much to enjoy and they don't even charge for parking. There is even overflow parking across the street. This is a great alternative if you don't want to pay the $6 entrance fee at the nearby Fort Pierce Inlet State Park.

The Oxbow Eco-Center protects 225 acres of natural habitats along the North Fork of the St. Lucie…read moreRiver. The land lies between subdivisions in Port St. Lucie. Oxbow Eco-Center contains an environmental exhibit hall and discovery center that provides information about habitats and the plants and animals that live there. The Eco-Center hosts many programs for children, school programs, guided hikes, Tai Chi, lectures, kayak trips, live music, and clubs. On April 18th Oxbow will be hosting it's 2020 Earth day festival. The trail system is open daily from sunrise to sunset. It includes a 3.8 mile loop with several shorter trails that branch off of it. Along the trail there are boardwalks, picnic tables, benches, and observation decks. Commonly seen wildlife along the trail include gopher tortoises, wading birds, butterflies and sandhill cranes. The Blue Heron Trail is the main loop around the preserve. The Gopher Tortoise Trail is on your right as you exit the nature center. It takes you through the pine flatwoods. The Otter Trail climbs up a bluff along the river's edge giving a great view of the St. Lucie River. Along this path you will see bromeliad covered oaks and cabbage palms. The Scrub-Jay Trail goes through a through a hydric hammock before ending at the river and connecting to the Otter Trail. Adjacent to the parking lot is the Florida Heritage Trail. The trail depicts important events in the areas history starting 7,000 years ago with the archaic people through the St. Lucie County Commissioners preserving more than 10,000 acres of natural land today. You can pick up a brochure explaining all the stops at the trail entrance. This trail is really great for kids because it is an easy walk and very educational. This a great resource for nature lovers. The trails are clearly marked and well maintained. I only saw two people from afar during my entire hike enabling me to social distance. Studies have shown that getting out in nature can actually help your immune system during a pandemic. Hiking increases your white blood cells which fight infection. Being outside increases your vitamin D and elevates your mood while reducing stress. This is a wonderful place to exercise and clear your head from the constant depressing drone of the news.

Pretty area but a bit muddy with high puddles when we went and look out towers were closed. We…read morewill have to check it out again after good weather.

I love finding hidden little spots. This was an unexpected surprise for me. It was unexpected…read morebecause I was not expecting to find this little piece of history in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Snuggle right between the houses. It made my day. The fort is surrounded by big trees. You know the kind of trees that have been aloud to grow all over. The branches are huge. They are beautiful. It was a nice to visit. I had a great time taking pictures. It's a historical site. The area has signs all around telling the history. I found it interesting to be there. There is plenty of parking around and a cool place to visit.

Almost drove by this small park that is located across the street from the Indian River Lagoon…read more This is the site of the Old Fort Pierce but has a lot of historical significance other than having been the site of F Peirce. It is located on the National Register of Historic Places. The site is also a burial ground for the Ais - a tribe of Indians who lived here about 1,000 years ago. This is a very peaceful, restful site that allows you to relax while watching the sites and the river.

Super cool to see remaining wildlife: alligators, manatees Hope it stays like it is foreverread more

Sooo, this morning rather than go to the gym. I went to White City Park in For Pierce and Kayaked…read moredown the St. Lucie River. Thanks to Steve Ware for the invite. We paddled thru the scenic St. Lucie River on the North Fork and observing all the gorgeous oak hammocks bordering either side. Amazing how tranquil the trip is, you would have thought you were in a time warp, because this surely represents how Olde Florida used to be. Just think it is in our backyard and it is FREE. White City Park has a Pirate playground for the kids, boat ramps, fishing access, plenty of picnic tables and much more. #lovingtreasurecoastlife #ftpierce #treasurecoast

This is a well maintained park in Fort Pierce. The park is named for Weldon B. Lewis who was a…read morecounty administrator who served the citizens of Fort Pierce for 21 years (1968-1989) He was born in 1925 in West Palm Beach and served in WWII where he received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Amenities at this 13 acre park include a baseball/softball field, soccer field, playground, restrooms, picnic tables and pavilions. At the back of the park is the 38 acre Ancient Oaks Preserve with a one mile natural ground loop trail. This is a great park to come to if you are looking for a place for the kids to play, get exercise, or birdwatch.

Gazebo Park is a small swath of green with a gazebo on it in historic downtown Ft. Pierce. It is in…read morethe same area that they hold the farmers market every Saturday morning. It is a popular location for weddings and it has electricity so you can plug in lights. The landscaping around the gazebo is very attractive with flowering crepe myrtle all around it. It's a popular place to take pictures but someone is usually occupying the gazebo.

Finding this state park was a very cool discovery. It is located about a mile north of the Fort…read morePierce Inlet. You go down a road and there is a small parking lot at the end. The cost to use the preserve is $2 cash on the honor system. From the parking lot you cross over a bridge that takes you over the Indian River lagoon on to the preserve. In the summer you can see manatees swimming but on the day I visited the waterway was being enjoyed by paddle boarders. This 1,342 acre preserve has been managed by the State of Florida since 1963. It has more than 4 miles of dirt and grass trails along mangrove lined canals. I saw so many mangrove crabs scuttling around. Little blue herons fly overhead and I also saw great blue herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, wood storks, and ibises. Osprey and roseate spoonbills have also been noted in the preserve, There are two trails to the the observation tower. A one mile direct trail or a two mile perimeter trail. I opted for the direct route to avoid an impending rain storm. The tower has stairs that take you 30 feet above the lagoon. From the top you can see the bird rookeries on surrounding islands. As you hike the island you will see culverts that are part of a system for flushing mosquitoes from their breeding areas. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in mud along the island and water is released through the big metal pipes to flood the areas normally used by the mosquitoes for breeding from April to October. Two other islands make up the preserve, Kings and Queens but they have to be explored from the water. Jack Island is the only one that offers hiking trails. Since Jack Island is located on the lagoon it gets fewer visitors than other state parks on the beach. I had the whole preserve to myself. I saw so many birds, it really is a paradise for bird watchers and photographers. The hike is an easy one and I would have stayed longer if it wasn't for the lightning. The island is also popular with anglers who fish for mullet, snook, and sheepshead and runners. You can walk for miles and never encounter any one else. Jack Island is the perfect place to enjoy Florida the way Mother Nature intended it to be.

Good hiking spot, there's multiple length hikes to choose from. You can either take a direct one…read moremile (one way) walk to the observation tower or take the loop which is 2 miles either way. The tower provides a 360 lookout over the mangroves and the river. Saw herons, crabs, butterflies and large flying fish. Dogs are allowed on short leash. Path is sandy and currently muddy due to afternoon showers today. If you're coming from Ft Pierce Inlet SP or the Avalon State Park this is a 10 minute drive from either one and is worth a stop. We created a state parks map and this was not on it. We saw a state park sign (pictured) and whipped a U-ie to check it out. Glad we did. It is a $2 honor system admission fee payable at entrance. Entrance is where a residential street dead ends and you'll see a McMansion on your left. Park anywhere, pay the fee and walk toward the bridge. No amenities. No restrooms or water fountains. If you're an outdoor person consider getting the Florida state park pass. It's $120 per family and lasts 12 calendar months.

This is a fantastic park located across from the beach on the Indian River Lagoon side. Jaycee Park…read morehas so many amenities. These include five large pavilions, six small pavilions, grills, a basketball court, tennis courts, volleyball court, and restroom. There is a also a beach for swimming in the Indian River. In 1954 Jaycee Park was the spring training home of the Pittsburg Pirates. They left after just one year for Fort Myers who promised them a renovated facility and guaranteed ticket sales. You can still see a nod to the Pirates in the park. There is a pirate flag in the elaborately themed playground. This park was very busy with families when I visited. There were many more people on the lagoon side than the beach. The lagoon is gentler and safer than the ocean for little ones and the playground has so much fun play equipment. Even big kids were enjoying it. This park is ideal for swimming, play, cookouts, and watching the sun set.

Saw a beautiful sunset at this park. Was able to see the whole sunset. Get there early to get a…read morespot!

Only GOD forgives you faster than your DOG! #ReflectDogs…read moreLove & Forgiveness Well according to Google Maps we were here once about 5 years ago? Never reviewed it, and I don't know why? It is a nice big Square Dog Park in the middle of a nice big beautiful Park. The entry area also known as the common area is very big and has a picnic table and a water fountain and poop bag dispenser and a trash can and Gates into both the big and the small dog park. The small dog park is just basically one corner of the big dog park. Walking the interior of the fence line is rather simple as it is very flat. There are plenty of old growth trees as well as interesting items like half buried pipes for your dogs to entertain themselves with. There are a few places to sit and there is plenty of shade!