Earl Lifshey Ocean Park — Attraction in Fort Lauderdale

This park is named for Galt Ocean resident and citizen activist Earl Lifshey. Mr. Lifshey was born in New York and graduated from New York University in 1922. In 1934 he became a newspaper editor and he wrote a daily column. He was so proud of being a journalist that when he wrote his own obituary he said he "regarded it as a profession demanding a high degree of personal ethical integrity." In 1968 he moved to Galt Ocean Mile in Ft. Lauderdale where he became vice president of the Galt Mile Community Association. He spearheaded the 3.8 million dollar Galt beautification project and persuaded the 4,300 people who lived in his condominium to tax themselves to pay for it. He was so highly regarded in the community that in 1996 he was named Fort Lauderdale's Citizen of the Year. Mr. Lifshey passed away from congestive heart failure in 1998.

The park named for Mr. Lifshey was established in 1998 and it is located between A1A and the Atlantic Ocean. There is a metered parking lot a few feet from the park and two handicapped spaces adjacent to the park. The park has a paved walkway that takes you to the beach. Along the way there is interpretive signs explaining how to reduce pollution, about native plants, and information on the coral reef. This park has showers but no bathroom. This is listed as a site where you can dive off the beach.

It was a stormy day but I saw this park on the map and I had never heard of it so I came to investigate since I am always looking for a hidden beach to take ad\vantage of for sun fun days. This park is hidden between high rises so you wouldn't see it from A1A. I saw a lot of people on foot leaving so I think it is mainly used by people living in the neighborhood. A lot of people had left the beach by the time I was walking back. As I was going back there were three homeless guys blocking the path back looking at me. The homeless in general don't make me uncomfortable but there was something in my gut that said something wasn't right. I think it was the way they looked like they were waiting for me. I went back to the beach and waited until I finally saw someone else on the path. For this reason I wouldn't come back and I'll stick with one of my other...

We had a beautiful Sunday at Earl Lifshey Ocean Park. We arrived semi early around 10:30 and parked in the small parking lot down the road. Paid parking isn't too crazy with the rate being $4 an hour. We at first paid for 2 but enjoyed the water so much that we went back and added and additional 2. The walk from the parking lot to the water is about 1/4 of a mile with just a short amount bring through the sand. There is also a round about about half way from the parking lot and the beach where pedestrian and supplies can be dropped off. There were 2 outdoor communal showers at the entrance of the beach that both had a shower head and a spray for just the feet but no public restrooms that I could see. Overall it was a beautiful day and I will definitely have to head back to enjoy another Sunday...

The access to the beach at Earl Lifshey Ocean Park is basically the same as all the other places along the coast in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. You get a fairly narrow but beautiful white sand beach. You're on the east side of Florida so whoever posted sunset pictures for this location was obviously 'mistaken'. There are private houses along the coast and some high rising condo buildings, which can cast a shadow in the afternoon. What I found positive is that you get free showers at the entrance, otherwise don't expect any services. Oh and obviously this is not an actual park like the name...