Tanya The Mango Lady Blog9 Comments on Tanya The Mango Lady Nature Lover’s Guide: 10 Best Local Parks to Visit in South Florida

Tanya The Mango Lady Nature Lover’s Guide: 10 Best Local Parks to Visit in South Florida

“Nature whispers words of healing, in a language every creature understands,” Tanya The Mango Lady
Amidst the cocktail of travel restrictions, social distancing, personal grief, and our undiagnosed anxiety regarding Covid-19, the past year has put a serious strain on our lives. The "new normal" has undoubtedly disrupted our routine and  reprogrammed many of our interests. Finding safe places to go with friends and family has been a daunting exercise. It's particularly taxing if you have picky kids who would rather retreat to their rooms and curl up with a computer, than set foot outdoors during a pandemic. Nontheless, as challenging as the past year has been, I'm reminded that tragedy and adversity can oftentimes unlock untried opportunities and bring about new discoveries. The prolonged isolation has personally rekindled my tree hugging, nature loving desire to get out and explore local parks, buzzing with native wildlife,  exotic plants, and trees.



There is nothing like basking in the orange hypnotic glow of a toasty Florida sunset. As soon as many local parks re-opened, my family and I began venturing out on monthly excursions to explore many local trails, creeks and parks in the Ft. Lauderdale Metro Area. What we discovered was sheer rustic beauty, adventure and a soul filling peace that's often found in the quiet solitude of nature.  I've compiled a list of my top 10 favorite  park discoveries to serve as an inspirational travel guide for others seeking safe enjoyable things to see and do in nature throughout South Florida:

Note: these are NOT in any particular priority order so consider this your bucket list and feel free to visit based on your interests:

1. Sawgrass Trailhead @ Atlantic Blvd, Coral Springs

  • Photo credit: Tanya, The Mango Lady
Trailhead is hands down one of my favorite trails to visit. It’s a 27 mile long elevated levee that buffers the Everglades on the far west end of Broward County from the bustling development residing east of the expressway. Open to pedestrians and cyclists, the trail overlooks the protected Everglades Wildlife Management Area and offers one of the most spectacular sunset views you will ever witness. Get your folding chair and snacks ready when you visit. Prepare for a heart warming heavenly sunset production.

2. Tree Tops Park, Davie, FL

  • Photo credit, Tanya The Mango Lady

This large community park has something for every nature lover with its meandering trails, picnic and barbeque areas, horseback riding, paddle boats, fishing areas and a very cool 30 ft high observation tower. A stair climb to the top allows you to catch a breathtaking view of the entire park while you’re elevated above a dense cluster of tree canopy.

3. Tall Cypress Nature Park, Coral Springs, FL

  • Photo credit, Tanya The Mango Lady
Photo Credit, Tanya The Mango Lady

Beautiful park with an elevated boardwalk that meanders through a 66 acre dense wetland well designed with an abundance of educational signs describing the plants and wildlife found in the park. Get ready for the sound of nature’s orchestra when you visit this park. You hear the vibrant buzzing, chirping and humming of all its inhabitants as you stroll through the park.

Dania Pier, Dania, FL

  • Photo Credit, Tanya The Mango Lady
The Dania pier is a great place to catch tantalizing turquoise views of the Atlantic ocean and feel a refreshing gust of ocean breeze. It opens at 6am for the early risers who long to experience a fantastic Florida sunrise. For the avid or beginner fishing enthusiast, its a great place to go fishing with family and friends. For couples looking for a nice stroll on a date night, its a great spot for an afternoon stroll. Be sure to check hours of operation before you visit so you know what time the pier closes.

5. Anne Kolb Nature Center, Hollywood, FL

  • Photo credit, Tanya The Mango Lady
Anne Kolb Nature Center is certainly a love at first sight kind of park. It’s one of those all inclusive parks that offers a bit of everything. The 20 acre site includes an exhibit hall, large aquarium and outdoor amphitheater. Be sure to climb the 68 foot observation tower and catch a breathtaking view of the intercoastal waterway. There’s an elevated boardwalk that meanders through a mangrove forest then takes you out to the intercoastal waterway where we caught a glimpse of all sorts of birds, fish and reptiles.

6. Long Key Nature Center, Davie

  • Photo credit, Tanya The Mango Lady
If there were a pageant for parks with the most beautiful trees Long Key Nature Center would steal the show. The 57 acre park is home to some of the most mature live oak trees found in the region. The grand cluster of live oaks form a brilliant canopy over the pedestrian trails and provide a peaceful shade as you stroll through the park. For all my tree huggers and plant lovers, Long Key Nature Center is the place for you! If you’re travelling with kids be sure to check out the interactive art exhibit, the small museum and the lake in the rear of the site. There are lots of fish and loggerhead turtles to see in the lake.

7. Fern Forest Nature Center

  • Photo credit, Tanya The Mango Lady
For those gaining house color from lock down overload, Fern Forest is the adventure seeker’s oasis. The park is a flash back in time to the topography of old Florida before the landscape was transformed by dredging and development. It boasts the largest collection of ferns in the region, approximately thirty four species, and a host of native trees and plants spanning across 247 acres. Fern Forest park provides adventure seekers over 4 different 2 mile trails with varying terrain from elevated boardwalks to earthy wilderness trails. Be sure to wear comfy shoes that can get messy. You’ll be walking on swampy terrain in some areas.

8. Holland Park

  • Photo credit, Tanya The Mango Lady
There’s a saying that good things often come in small packages. Holland Park fits that unsuspecting mold. This jewel of a park is nestled inside a residential area with gorgeous views of the intracoastal waterway. This pocket park also offers boat ramps, picnic areas, an elevated boardwalk trail and a large observation tower that provides clear views of the intercoastal. Best kept secret in Hollywood and so worth the visit.

9. Peace Mound Park, Weston

  • Photo Credit, Tanya The Mango Lady
If there were a competition for best kept park, Peace Mound Park would snag it! From the well manicured lawn, to the posh restrooms, pristine walkways and the eye catching foliage, this park gets high marks for beauty and landscape design. Nice place to go for a stroll and a couples picnic. The large decorative sign near the tot lot indicates the park is built around an old Tequesta Indian burial mound, thus its historic name.

10. Secret Woods Park, Dania Beach

  • Photo Credit, Tanya The Mango Lady

The secret is out… this park is absolutely amazing. Secret Wood Nature Center spans across 57 acres and offers a beautiful butterfly garden buzzing with lots of colorful plants and butterflies. The park also offers a reptile habitat and lots of nature trails all accessible by an elevated board walk. You’ll see lots of crabs and spiders along the path but don’t worry, they know you’re just passing through so they totally ignore you. LOL

There you have it folks, Tanya The Mango Lady’s Nature Lover’s Guide: 10 Best Local Parks to visit in the Ft Lauderdale Metro area. I hope you enjoyed learning more about 10 fascinating parks and trails in the Ft. Lauderdale Metro area. All except Dania Pier are free admission with flexible hours both on weekend and weekdays. Despite these unpresedented times, I encourage you to explore these amazing spaces. Treat your soul to a well needed escape and seize the tranquility and joy found in nature. This is indeed a mangolicious life filled with bitter sweet seasons. Nonetheless, God has given us the gift of nature as one of the many coping mechanisms to heal, inspire and recenter us. Author and Holocaust victim Anne Frank said it best “Think of all the beauty still left around you and (choose to) be happy.”

Please feel free to drop me a note and let me know if you’ve visited these amazing parks as well. I would love to hear your recomendation of other great parks you’ve enjoyed in the South Florida region.

If you’ve enjoyed this post please like, subscribe and share with a friend. #onelife2live, #greatparks, #openspace, #localtravel
#earthday2021 #earthdayadventure #visitflorida #visitmiami #visitsouthflorida

Published by Tanya The Mango Lady Blog

About the author: I'm an author, public speaker, owner of mango tree craft collections, cancer survivor, certified urban planner and an unapologetic mango lover. Why create this blog? Over the last decade I've encountered a series of adversities that would cripple most people. However, these unexpected tragedies ironically have taught me how to be resilient and trust God even when the way ahead seemed daunting and uncertain. This blog called Tanya the Mango Lady is a positive consequence of my season of adversity. Its my wall of reflection. A place for recharge, inspiration, insight and impact. I pray for healing upon all who pass by. I trust you will gain strength from my stories in your quest to overcome your own adversities. The name is inspired by the mango, my favorite fruit. In so many cultures the mango epitomizes all that is sweet, satisfying and savory. I hope my blog will be all that and more for you as we journey together from bitter to sweet, or from lighthearted to deep. Despite the seasons of adversity, thus far its been an amazing journey of growth and self discovery! I continue to press on by Gods grace and through His strength. I pray my stories inspire you to press on in hope and freedom as well. Firmly, but humbly enough, I believe the best is yet to come.

Categories Travel, Inspiration, South Florida, UncategorizedTags , , , , , , ,

9 thoughts on “Tanya The Mango Lady Nature Lover’s Guide: 10 Best Local Parks to Visit in South Florida”

  1. Carol May 4, 2021 — 11:41 am

    Tanya, I can just hear your beautiful voice reading the poetry of your blog. Thank you for the insight to our South Florida Parks.
    I will definitely share.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      Tanya The Mango Lady Blog May 4, 2021 — 12:01 pm

      Thanks so much Carol. Thanks for stopping by the mango tree! 🥭

      Like

      Reply
    2. (Post author)
      Tanya The Mango Lady Blog May 30, 2021 — 10:16 am

      Awesome. Thanks for stopping by the mango tree

      Like

      Reply
  2. LaToya Spence April 24, 2021 — 5:24 pm

    Love this!! I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale FL and I don’t I’ve been to half these parks! Definitely making sure our family visits them all! Thanks for sharing😁

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      Tanya The Mango Lady Blog April 24, 2021 — 5:30 pm

      Fantatic. You will enjoy them all. We have such amazing local parks for families to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by the mango tree

      Like

      Reply
  3. (Post author)
    Tanya The Mango Lady Blog April 24, 2021 — 2:51 pm

    Dion, thanks for stopping by the mqngo tree. Glad you enjoyed the guide. Enjoy your park adventure.

    Like

    Reply
  4. Dion April 19, 2021 — 3:50 pm

    Refreshing read! I am also a lover of nature and have not been to many of these parks, looking forward to visiting them. Thanks for sharing!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Coleen April 5, 2021 — 12:33 pm

    Great information, of the 10 you listed I was only familiar with three. I am now inspired to get in touch with my tree-hugging self and explore more 😂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. (Post author)
      Tanya The Mango Lady Blog April 5, 2021 — 2:03 pm

      Lol. Thats awesome. An adventure awaits you!!!

      Like

      Reply

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