Hugh Taylor Birch Rec. Area - Fort Lauderdale Beach

Descriptions from Across the Web

• This 180-acre intracoastal park was originally a private estate. Donated to Florida as parkland, ... more on gocitykids.com
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area is a perfect example of how the dream of one man can become the reality of future generations. In 1893, the Chicago attorney came to south Florida in search of a secluded area for his home. He settled in a small village called Ft. Lauderdale that included a store, a few houses and the remains of the old Fort Lauderdale Army Post. - Purchasing oceanfront property for about a dollar an acre, he eventually owned a three-and-a-half mile stretch of land along the beach. In 1940, at age 90, he built his last home here. He called his 180-acre estate Terramar, - "land to sea." Wishing to preserve his subtropical paradise from the development that was springing up all around it, Birch donated his estate for use as a public park. On July 1, 1949, Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area officially opened to the public. It is now an island of trees and greenery in the middle of urban Ft. Lauderdale. - WILDLIFE The park contains several distinct native biological communities, including the last significant remnant of a maritime hammock (tropical hardwood forest) in Broward County. A self-guided nature trail takes you through the hammock, highlighting plants that have been used as foods or medicines. Ranger-led walks are conducted seasonally and by special request for groups. - Extending north and south through the park is a freshwater lagoon system. Canoes may be rented at the park entrance for short trips ... more on GoingToTheBeach.com, Inc.
• Amid the tropical greenery of this 180-acre park, stroll ... more on Fodor's

Directions

Take I-95 to Sunrise Blvd. and head east. Turn left on Breakers Avenue and look for park entrance.

Hours

8a-sundown M-Su

Miscellaneous

• Admission: $4 per vehicle with up to 8 people, $1 per pedestrian

Other Web Resources

• Read more about Hugh Taylor Birch Rec. Area on Yahoo! Travel
• www.ftlchamber.com