Tracking Station Beach Park is a 6.37 acre park in Vero Beach. The entrance is a little hard to see but it is located off Highway A1A between the CVS Pharmacy and 7-11 store. The park takes its name from the university ocean research facility located by the park entrance.
Park amenities include a beautiful 624 feet of life guarded beach from 9:10 am - 4:50 pm, one pavilion with picnic table and grill, water fountain, restrooms, outdoor shower, and best of all there are 74 free parking spaces. I love free beach parking which is sadly lacking in Broward County.
Inside the park is a memorial to 17 year old Lynn Carol Elliott (1965-1983). Elliot was a student of Vero Beach high school. She was hitchhiking with her fourteen year old friend Regan Martin when they were picked up by serial killer David Alan Gore who committed crimes with his cousin his Fred Waterfield. The pair were dubbed the killing cousins. When Elliot escaped outside of the house while Martin was being attacked, Gore followed her and shot her in the head which was witnessed by a neighbor boy riding his bicycle. The police were called and the pairs crime spree came to an end. Gore was executed by lethal injection in 2012. If not for Elliots courage in trying to escape, there may have been many more victims. This is such a sad story of promising lives cut too short.
This beach is ADA accessible. It is favored by surfers and sun worshippers. It is also beloved by nesting sea turtles so stay off the dunes, watch out for the nests, and take your garbage with you. Sea Turtle nesting season is from March 1-October 31. All sea turtles are protected by state and federal laws. I was disappointed to see that a new condo complex called Indigo is going to be built at the entrance to the park. I hope that this does not negatively impact the sea turtles. For now this remains a lesser known beach in Vero and a great place to enjoy the ocean and outdoors. read more