Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Fort Lauderdale

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a verdant oasis amidst the bustling cityscape of Fort Lauderdale. This Florida State Park not only offers a tranquil retreat but also serves as a testament to the vision of Chicago attorney Hugh Taylor Birch, who, in his quest for seclusion in 1893, laid the groundwork for what would become a cherished natural sanctuary. Birch bought oceanfront land at $1 per acre, expanding it to 3.5 miles of beachfront. At age 90 in 1940, he built his Art Deco home "Terramar" on the 180-acre estate. Today, this home serves as the park's visitor center, symbolizing the link between land and sea.

The park's ecological significance is highlighted by its diverse wildlife, including the gopher tortoise, eastern indigo snake, butterflies, turtles, gray squirrels, marsh rabbits, opossums, and an impressive array of over 200 species of wading birds, hawks, and ducks. This biodiversity makes the park a prime location for wildlife viewing and offers an immersive experience in Florida's natural habitats.

For those seeking adventure and leisure, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park delivers a wide array of activities. Visitors can explore the park's natural beauty through canoeing, bicycling, fishing, swimming, and Segway tours, alongside more tranquil pursuits such as inline skating, hiking, picnicking, and group camping. The park offers canoe rentals, a mile-long freshwater lagoon, two short trails, a beach, picnic areas, and a group/youth campground, catering to visitors of all ages and interests.

Adding to the park's allure, the recent addition of Park & Ocean, an outdoor restaurant and bar, offers guests the opportunity to savor culinary delights with a view of the ocean, merging the natural beauty of the park with the comfort of modern amenities.