Nature Exhibits

Anne Kolb Nature Center and West Lake Park are located in southern Broward in the town of Hollywood on the north and south side of Sheridan Street. This popular nature center features trails, amphitheater, exhibits and a 68-foot observation tower. The exhibit hall has an entrance fee but the trails around the nature center are free. The trails include a fishing trail (catch & release is encouraged and a permit required), the Mudflat Trail, the South Trail (gravel) and the Lake Trail.

Take a break from the city and enjoy a day in a quiet natural oasis.  Hugh Taylor Birch State Park lies between the intracoastal and the Atlantic Ocean off Sunrise Blvd.  This small state park allows you to wander among the tropical hammocks, paddle your canoe or kayak into the moat within the park, and go for a swim at the guarded beach.  The park's access to the beach is via a pedestrian tunnel under A1A.  If you prefer a quieter more natural experience over the busier Ft.

The Coral Springs Sportsplex is located between Royal Palm Boulevard and Sample Road in northern Broward county.  This  180.8 acre park includes a world class Aquatic Complex, the Tennis Center of Coral Springs, Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital, Dr. Steven G. Paul Dog Park and typical park amenities as well.  Picnic tables, a walking/jogging trail, playground and meeting rooms are also available for use.  

Okeeheelee Park is a regional 1700+ acre park in western Palm Beach county near Wellington.  This huge park consists of a Nature Center, equestrian center, golf course, lighted courts, lighted athletic fields, bike paths, dog park (Pooch Pines), disc golf and many other amenities.  From water-skiing to boating to volleyball to fishing there is something for every active family.

This 20 square mile park in West Palm Beach is a critical water resource for the city of West Palm Beach.  It is used as a catchment area for West Palm Beach's drinking water and was historically part of the headwaters for the Everglades.  Educational programming and guided tours are available at the Preserve as well as a Nature Center with exhibits about the wetlands habitat.  

Monday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Sunday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Nature Center Building closed Mondays; Preserve Open

Palm Beach County, City of Lake Worth,Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Inland Navigation District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers collaborated in the Snook Islands Project which involved extensive restoration of a large area of the Lake Worth Lagoon (Intracoastal).  The shoreline was planted with 11 acres of mangroves and other aquatic plants, over two acres of oyster reefs were created and 4 islands made with fill from Peanut Island.  There is NO parking right at the Natural Area.

Atop one of the higher elevations in Boca Raton, Serenoa Glade Preserve is a rare undeveloped piece of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge, featuring a transition zone from scrub habitat on the Atlantic Ocean side to pine flatwoods on the Everglades side. What Everglades, you say? Once upon a time, before the early 1900s, a sheet flow of water passed through gaps in the ridge to reach the sea. This land was slated to become yet another office complex near Florida Atlantic University, and was preserved just in time by the city of Boca Raton.

Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department manages the Wakodahatchee Wetlands as a  water reclamation area.  Local highly treated waste water is pumped into the wetlands to be filtered by native vegetation and soil.  The water is then reclaimed for irrigational use.  The entire boardwalk is less than 1 mile long so it is very manageable for families. The wetlands are home to alligators, ibis, great blue heron, limpkin, purple gallinule, marsh rabbits, racoons, all sorts of turtles and iguana.

Delray Oaks Natural Area on Congress Avenue in Delray Beach contains  examples of native Floridian prairie and xeric hammock ecosystems. The 25-acre site also contains a small wetland and areas of mesic flat woods. The tree canopy includes many live oak trees and sabal palms, with an understory of wild coffee, beauty berry, and saw palmetto. Oak hammocks are rare in Florida and in Palm Beach County due to urban development. The oak hammock community only develops in areas where fires have not occurred for at least 30 years.

Open from 8am to dusk, this park in southeastern Delray Beach is a quiet place for play and exploration. The semi-fenced playground area stays shaded for most of the morning which makes it a nice place to visit in the warmer months for play. This preserve consists of nature trails, a gazebo, playground, and parking lot.