Join MODS for an exploration of old Florida at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Our Youth Camp Facility, with full Lodge and cabin 6 is accessible. View the calendar for our upcoming tours. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is proud to offer the following Interpretive Ranger-guided walks and programs each Friday and Saturday of the month. I ordered a Mai Tai which hit the spot. The Mid Trail now features an assortment of Native and non-Native plants. The Audio Tour is free, but donations are welcome. The parks offers regular interpretive walks and tours. It offers canoe rentals on the inland portion and has intracoastal views on the west side. There are many trails there but we didn't venture through them and I pretty sure that it would not the thing for city folk on a hot day. Guided activities. Fifth Friday of each month (for those months with a fifth Friday): Beach/Dune Habitat and Coastal Walk | 10:30am This near-1 mile walk will commence at the Beach Entrance to the park. Many shaded spots and barbecue pits to use. For more information about Park and Ocean and to see their upcoming events please visit them online at www.parkandocean.com. Gopher tortoise crossing road at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Bring your kayak and zip down this flowing run for an unforgettable afternoon. There is also kayak, canoes, and other rentals right there. Map of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale. Those amenities include: The park is adjacent to Fort Lauderdale Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the state. Also in the premises there is a bar/rest called park & ocean with live music and some delicious frozen drinks. Florida, with all its nautical destinations, is heaven on Earth for kayakers. Please bring water and any other protective gear dependent upon the season. Address: 3400 N.E. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Find a kayaking buddy and get going. (Its short enough that experienced paddlers wont want to bother but its great for families and newcomers to paddling.). Hugh Taylor Birch lived there for many years. All participants will meet at the entrance station. The parks trails are not officially designated as biking trails. Confirm details when planning your trip. People like to park here, picnic, read and just watch the passing boat parade. Guests may inquire to see our parks live animal exhibits by pre-arrangement. Given that my county, Broward, is so paved and urban, Birch State Park is a precious island, preserving just a sliver of the natural splendor that once was everywhere. This 2 mile walk can be taken through your own cell phone without a Ranger guiding you! Please ask for information and directions at the park. Our native live exhibits include a threatened Eastern Indigo, Corn Snakes, Rat Snakes and Diamondback Terrapin Turtles. lauderdale sips Guests will then pass through the underpass tunnel or across the cross walk (once finalized) to the beach. Bonnet House is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with tours at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. I know it better than any other park anywhere. You'll float through massive Banyan trees that look like you're in Pandora. Only downside - toilets disgusting. Kayaks ready to rent at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale. Built in 1940, it is a mix of Mediterranean and Art Deco styles. Two years later, recognizing how precious his property had become in the growing City of Fort Lauderdale, he donated 180 acres and three miles of beautiful beach to the state of Florida to be preserved forever as a public park. Most Beautiful Beaches in Fort Lauderdale. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. In addition, guests will be shown the highly endangered Beach Jacquemontia sensitive habitat area and be given an explanation of preservation efforts that are underway. Copyright 2021 Florida Rambler Media. We came by to kill some time. Seagrapes ripening at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale. Adults and children hired kayaks and paddled along watching the wildlife -great experience in natural surrounding. The walk will conclude along the Intracoastal waterway and wrap back around toward the parks main entrance. In order to make this possible, we monitor comments to keep spam, hate speech, violence, and vulgarity off our pages. The park is listed on the Great Florida Birding Trail Guide. Its all lined with a beautiful wavy white wall and a paved walkway along A1A. This is one of my favorite parks in the area. Choose your favorite and get out there and paddle for a unique experience in Florida.. Why You Need To Go: This incredible place offers kayaking that will give you all the jungle adventure vibes. This park offers a 2 mile loop for walking, I stayed close to it and walked it in the morning. Nature lovers can hike along two short trails and learn about local plants and wildlife while bicyclists and skaters glide along the paved park road. Some of the prime spots are Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Oleta River State Park, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Juniper Run, Indian Key Historic State Park, and Wekiwa Springs. No fishing is permitted in waters, such as the mangroves or the coastal dune lake, within the interior of the park. Address: 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL. This 1.5 mile walk will commence at the Ranger Station (front entrance) of the park and guide guests past the famous Gopher Tortoise habitat, through Pavilion 1 & 2 area and into the parks extensive mangrove habitat. Donations are appreciated and will be given directly to the Friends of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a 501c3 Citizens Support Organization: Every Friday & Saturday Ways to Experience Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. This event includes a gallery tour, an art class and a glass of wine, lunch and additional beverages can be purchased. These were all paintings collected by the Bartletts and donated to the Art Institute in the 1920s. WHERE: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park 3109 E Sunrise Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Guests should meet MODS Educators on south end of the Beach Parking Lot, COST: Museum Member: $30 per personNon-member: $35 per personPlus, $6 park entrance fee. Please see the walks and programs explanations and their regularly-scheduled rotations. The walk will also incorporate a broad historical overview of the Terramar Estate (Mr. Birchs home, exterior only) and the Caretakers Home, which were commissioned by Mr. Birch in 1940. The beach is across the street and parking was inconvenient. We drove through and didnt see much except picnic areas. Guided walks are Free. The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Admission is free with paid park entrance. Still, it has taken me years to write about Hugh Taylor Birch State Park for Florida Rambler. Between 1894 and 1920, he purchased hundreds of acres of land between the ocean and the Middle River for between $1 and $4 an acre. Please be advised. Hugh Taylor Birch State Parkoffers premier birding for novice and experts alike. The park drive is 1.9 miles and is very popular with bicyclers and in-line skaters alike. Why You Need To Go: You can kayak through mangrove tunnels at this pretty state park that only a half-hour from Miami. Why You Need To Go: If you're in South Florida, then put this place on your kayaking bucket list. You can rent bikes in the park. In 1940, when he was 90, he finally had a house overlooking the beach built for himself. 6 Unique Kayaking Trips In Florida For When You Need A Break From The City. She and her husband Frederick Bartlett, built a house that is now across Sunrise Boulevard called Bonnet House. A threatened species, it is the only tortoise species in the eastern United States. The lagoon. A 1-mile Audio Tour of the park is available FREE to all park guests. To visit, you must take a guided tour. Its a gorgeous setting to relax with a beverage. Our comment section is a place to promote self-expression, freedom of speech and positivity. The hardwood hammock, trails and picnic grounds. Comments are moderated according to our Community Guidelines. Rentals may be obtained fromtheparks concessionairelocated at the Beach Gate/Concession access in the park, and adjacent to A1A. We ventured to the Water Taxi spot sat under the shaded pier and returned to the bar near the entrance (on the Blvd not Sunrise). Please mind the lifeguard flags when swimming, indicating water and surf conditions or rip currents. The excursion is appropriate for all ages but recommended for children 5 years old and older. Please do not touch or feed our wildlife as this is detrimental to the animal. There were reasonably priced boats and bicycles and pretty amiable staff. Explore Florida's beaches and backwaters, islands and prairies, campgrounds, trails and historic sites. Weekly and Special Event Tours. You would venture all the way in and conceivably get lost there. Visitors can access the beach via the pedestrian tunnel under A1A. A quarter mile trail, called the Rail Trail is accessible all. During the summer months, south Florida beaches host one of the largest loggerhead sea turtle nesting grounds in the world. Off-the-beaten-path getaways: Seven Old Florida towns make great bases, Tiki bars you'll love in the Florida Keys. Open Daily from 9am 5pm If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Ranger-guided tours in the vicinity of the building, and near its adjacent Sensitive Habitats, are available by pre-arrangement. We encourage discussion and debate, but our pages must remain a safe space where everyone feels comfortable and the environment is respectful. Free Guided Walk with your entrance fee. canoeing kayaking There are short nature trails and shaded picnic grounds and shelters throughout the park. Please be advised, the walk will eventually emerge at the north end of the park where guests can take a leisurely walk back to the south end. You can explore these crystal-clear waters for hours and never get bored. The unpretentious estate includes Frederick Bartletts art studio and is full of sculpture, paintings and orchids. We went to the visitor center and aside from a handful of interesting antiques, it was nothing special. While cars use this one-way road too, it has slow, minimal traffic and is a good place for bicyclists, walkers and in-line skaters. He was a successful lawyer from Chicago, general counsel for Standard Oil Company, a man with a home on Chicagos prestigious Michigan Avenue. While youre here, it makes a great day to pair a visit to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park with the nearby Bonnet House, a historic home built by Birchs art-loving daughter and her husband on land he gave them. Fishing is a popular activity at the park and is allowed in any public access area and only from the Intracoastal Waterway seawall. Then, guests will jump aboard a canoe and venture into a beautiful freshwater lagoon to look for wading birds and other wildlife before finishing the journey by learning about the parks namesake, Hugh Taylor Birch, and the natural oasis he and his family left to preserve for future generations. The Mid Trail Audio Tour covers a broad overview of the history of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, offers an introduction to its ecosystems and also points out particulars along the path. The tour will leisurely browse the coastline, discussing tidal influences on barrier islands, coastlines and explore the vast variety of species populating the areas between the land and the sea. Join MODS for an exploration of old Florida at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304, All rights reserved 2021 - Friends of Birch State Park, A Garden Party at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. The pavilions may be rented for $84.80 per day, tax included. The 1.9-mile paved loop road through the park. Then, guests will jump aboard a canoe and venture into a beautiful freshwater lagoon to look for wading birds and other wildlife before finishing the journey by learning about the parks namesake, Hugh Taylor Birch, and the natural oasis he and his family left to preserve for future generations. All rights reserved. A fresh water slough, a remaining fragment of lagoon that paralleled the beach for miles, is now a good place for a short kayak or canoe paddle. Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale, a historic home associated with Hugh Taylor Birch and across the street from Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. more, Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi - All Day Pass. The beach at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is indistinguishable from the rest of Fort Lauderdale beach. No swimming is permitted within any interior park waters such as the Mangroves or Coastal Dune Lake. You will also learn about the flora and fauna of the five natural communities that make upHugh Taylor Birch State Park. You also can tour the park on a Segway with groups through the concessionaire. The trail walk will commence approximately half a mile up the main loop drive along what used to be called the Exotic Trail. Here, Mr. Birch had planted an assortment of exotic plants including Mango, Citrus, Almond and more. The Mid Trail gives a different view of the park by including many plants brought here by Mr. Birch. Rangers willexplain the unique features that constitute our sub-tropical wooded areas as well as our small, residual Coastal Dune Lake systems. (You can unsubscribe anytime), Wild Florida Offsite Excursion at Hugh Taylor Birch State ParkAugust 13 9:30 a.m. 1 p.m.Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. A beach wheel chair is available at our Beach Concession. Accessible picnic tables are located through out the park. Why You Need To Go: This spring run in Ocala National Forest has beautiful blue water and lush green palms. We offer a wide variety of activities you can do at the park, including: kayaks, They offer terrific activities including a Sunset Kayak Tour and Full Moon Kayak Tour. 9:45 a.m.: Guests check in at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, 10:00 a.m.: Guided nature walk through Hardwood Hammock Trail, 11:00 a.m.: Guided canoe/kayak in Freshwater Lagoon, (including 30 minutes for instructions and safety talk at the beginning), Guests should meet MODS Educators on south end of the Beach, Healthy Scientists Make Healthy Choices Protocol, Wild Florida Offsite Excursion at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Ultimate Birthday Party (Before/After Hours), MODS M3 (MOVIES, MUSIC & MORE) for Adults 51+, Blue Star Museums: FREE Exhibit Admission for Active Military Members, 2023 Greater Fort Lauderdale Science Festival, 26th Annual Bank of America Wine, Spirits and Culinary Celebration. Several shaded picnic areas with playground equipment, pavilions and barbecue grills are conveniently located close to parking throughout the park. Here guests willlearn aboutthe unique features, flora and fauna, that constitute the primary dune on the beach. This article is the property of FloridaRambler.com and is protected by U.S. The best part is you can always hop in and cool off. If you like the sit by the waterway or go to the beach this is the place for you. Interpretive signs along the trail provide information about the habitat and native flora. The information in this article was accurate when published but may change without notice. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park was the first state park I visited when I moved to Florida and it is still my favorite. The park is known for many sightings of Caribbean species as well as migratory species, with over 250 species on the parks bird list. Audio versions of our Park Brochure are available upon request. Park entry fees apply $2 per pedestrian; $4 single person in a vehicle; $6 two or more persons in a vehicle. There's no better time than summer to get out on the water they don't call it the Sunshine State for nothing. During the summer, if you are visiting our beaches in the evening, please use red L.E.D. The key is finding the topmost incredible places that will truly take your breath away. Aptly named Park & Ocean, the restaurant and garden sits amid a shady grove on the Southeast side of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park along A1A featuring oceanfront seating and views. Adventure is out there; you just have to paddle to it. It has picnic tables and chairs outdoors under the shade of seagrape trees overlooking the parks beach as well as indoor seating. 2021 Museum of Discovery and Science. Fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. Join the Rangers of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park to take a guided walk every Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You will hear the stories of the past and get the feel of what Mr. Hugh Taylor Birch would have seen when landing on the shores of Ft. Lauderdale. Why You Need To Go:Indian Key is a remote island with a long history dating back centuries. The walk will eventually emerge at the north end of the park where guests can either take the Intracoastal waterway back toward the front of the park, or take the main loop drives east side road back to the front of the park. Pavilion 3 is located with a lovely view of the Intracoastal Waterway. The Terramar Visitor Center is Hugh Taylor Birchs home. The world Hugh Taylor Birch found here is lost to us. Birch originally owned 3.5 miles of beachfront land. If you enter Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, there is a parking lot near the beach, and you can use a tunnel under A1A to reach the sand and surf. Guests can access the beach through the Beach Gate Entrance. Each of the three picnic pavilions is equipped with electricity and water and can accommodate approximately 75 people. Guests will receive a broad historical overview of the park and hear about the importance of balanced ecosystems in South Florida. Second Friday of each month: Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest: Easy scenic paddling; lots of wildlife, Fakahatchee Strand: Big, wild and great for Everglades hiking and kayaking. His home is now the parks visitor center and offers exhibits and animal displays. This natural spot is the perfect antidote to city blues. Live Animal Presentation | 1:00pm Its MY park: Its two miles from my Fort Lauderdale house, my daughters attended a beloved environmental summer camp there and for several months I drove a tram on endless loops through the park as a volunteer. It contains displays of the history of the area and an environmental display of this unique ecosystem. I couldnt find a map online and wasnt offered one at the entrance. There are many other parks that ate more interesting. Segway tour at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale. Rangers will explain the intrinsic value of these wonderful creatures, describe their preferred habits, behaviors,habitats, and allow for direct interaction with guests. A large bee hive is featured along this trail for everyones education. The park opened in 1954. The trail walk will commence approximately half a mile up the main loop drive. Swimming is available on the beach adjacent to the park. Imagine Fort Lauderdale beach in 1898 with no buildings and no roads and no residents. A general overview of the original inhabitants to this part of Florida will be offered as well as historical relations between the first settlers. The walk will take approximately 1.5 hours. Paddle more and worry less this summer. All Rights Reserved. The excursion begins with a walk through the historic Hardwood Hammock forest that predates the City of Fort Lauderdale, where guests will learn about the Tequesta people who called it home.