Okeeheelee Park
| Okeeheelee Park | |
|---|---|
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | West Palm Beach, Florida, United States |
| Coordinates | 26°39′20.06″N 80°09′51.07″W / 26.6555722°N 80.1641861°WCoordinates: 26°39′20.06″N 80°09′51.07″W / 26.6555722°N 80.1641861°W |
| Area | 900 acres (360 ha) |
| Created | October 2014 |
| Operated by | Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department |
| Status | Open all year |
Okeeheelee Park is located in West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. It is managed by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. The original site for the park was purchased in 1973, and at the time only about 10% (90 acres) of the area was in its natural state. After 23 years of reclamation, the park was not completed in June, 1996. Covering over 900 acres (3.6 km2), the park encompasses two lakes; with access for boating, fishing, water skiing, and radio controlled boating. Okeeheelee's construction was split into 6 phases, however some did not make it. Like phase 5 which was supposed to be a water park.
The park has amenities for many types of sports, including a 27 hole golf course, with pro shop and clubhouse, baseball fields, tennis courts, and a BMX biking area.
There is both a fitness trail and bike trail that snakes between the lakes, with many pavilions and picnic areas along the way.
At the north end of the park, situated on the original 90 acres (360,000 m2) of original natural habitat, is the Okeeheelee Nature Center. Finished in 1996, it consists of more than 2 miles (3.2 km) of trails, which travel through the Pine Flatwoods habitat. The trail includes interpretive signs, trailside benches, and an elevated blind. There is also a Butterfly Garden, Braille Trail, and Marsh viewing blinds. Inside are live animal exhibits, interactive displays, and a Gift Shop. There are also educational programs for both adults and children.
There is a dog park in Okeeheelee Park called Pooch Pines. There are three areas, two for large dogs, and one for small dogs. The hours are the same as the rest of the park, except it is closed from noon to 3 p.m on Wednesdays for maintenance.[1]
Nature Center
The Okeeheelee Nature Center is a little museum of natural Florida. There are aquariums and displays, rodents and reptiles. There's a wooden boardwalk/porch that encircles the center, and the whole center is wheelchair-accessible. Nearly three miles of trails run through the adjacent 90 acres (360,000 m2) of woods, past native flora and fauna, at least one water skiing lake.
Nature Center hours
The center is located within Okeeheelee Park and is open Wednesday - Friday, 1:00PM–4:30PM; Saturday, 10:00AM–4:30PM; It is closed in on Monday and Tuesday. The nature trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset.
References
Sources
- Okeeheelee Park Map and Brochure.