Situated right next to Fort Lauderdale Beach, the Hugh Taylor Birch Recreational Area is a convenient stop for visitors looking for a little relief from the sun. The 180-acre park offers plenty of things to do, from bicycling along its two-mile drive to catching sight of some of the two hundred species of birds that live in the park.
The Coastal Hammock Trail provides a leisurely walk through the coastal forest ecosystem, while the Exotic Trail contains non-native plants and vegetation first brought to the area by Hugh Birch. Visitors can keep their eyes peeled for sightings of raccoons, gopher tortoises, gray foxes, great blue herons, and white ibises as they slide around the freshwater lagoons in a canoe.
Or they can learn more about the area at the Terramar Visitor Center, located in Hugh Taylor Birch's art deco home, which features exhibits detailing the area's history and ecosystem. The park also features areas for in-line skating, fishing, and swimming, and provides shaded picnic areas and playgrounds.
