About The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you’re looking for a place to get out of the city and spend some time in nature, consider checking out Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. This state park is located between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, making it an ideal location for a day of beachcombing or kayaking. The park also features kayaking and canoeing launch sites, as well as pedal boats and stand-up paddleboards.
A visit to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is an excellent opportunity to appreciate Florida’s unique wildlife. One of the longest public seawalls is found here. The seawall was built more than a century ago by local magnate Hugh Taylor Birch and has undergone several repairs. To address future sea-level rise, the Friends of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park secured a state grant to rebuild the seawall.
The original park’s name is in honor of a prominent Chicago attorney, Hugh Taylor Birch. The philanthropist gave the land to the state of Florida when he retired in 1909. Upon his death in 1943, he donated the entire 180 acres to the state. The park’s name is named in his honor. The park also features a visitor center, which features exhibits and information on the park’s history.
The Terramar Visitor Center is situated in the home of the famous author Hugh Taylor Birch. Its decor is a mix of Mediterranean and Art Deco styles. It contains information on the history of the park and its unique ecosystem. It is free to visit the center during regular hours, and visitors can use the park’s audio tour for free. The park’s concession stands and cafés are open every day but Sundays.
If you’re looking for a place to relax in the sun, then head over to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale. The park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk. Entrance fees for vehicles up to eight people are $6, but only $4 if you’re riding a bike or walking to the park. Visitors can also enjoy free-themed ranger walks at the park.
The park also contains the historic Bonnet House, a whimsical tropical estate that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built in 1920 by Helen Birch and Frederick Bartlett and is located on 35 acres of oceanfront property. It includes the artists’ studio of Frederick Bartlett and includes sculptures, paintings, and orchids. There is a playground here as well. In addition to the Bonnet House, there are several other historical landmarks worth checking out at the park.
The Gopher Tortoise Sanctuary is also a great place to spend some time birding. These wetlands are home to the endangered Eastern Indigo Snake and the Diamondback Terrapin Turtle. There are over 180 species of birds in this state park, and you can enjoy live animal exhibits and learn about them. This park is a great place to spend a day with your family or a friend. It’s also a great place to watch birds, including the endangered Key West Quail-Dove.
The new mural at the entrance to the park is a great example of how a grant can go a long way in improving a park. The Friends of Birch State Park secured a grant from the Community Foundation of Broward to fix up the 80-foot-long tunnel that connects the park to the beach. It required repair for both aesthetic and safety reasons. The mural was created by Todd Michael Hanna, who was assisted by Nova University School art students.
Visitors can rent canoes and kayaks at the park’s public access areas. They can also relax by the lagoon, which is a mile-long freshwater lagoon. There are also several public access areas where visitors can bring fishing rods. A few of these places offer free ranger-guided walks. If you don’t feel like guiding yourself, you can follow the self-guided audio tour at the Ranger Station.
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