Old Fort Park — Attraction in New Smyrna Beach

Nice public park located in the artsy side of NSB. It overlooks a small community harbor and is open to pets. no entry fee.

The park also contains a small visitors center with limited hours.

Walking up to the ruins along a paved footpath, the site initially appears to be an 18th-century Spanish fortification. The origins of the fort are unknown. Theories range from part of a prehistoric Indian midden dating to the St. Johns II period, from about 500 AD to 1565 AD; or an English fort, some believe it was a Spanish fort; or Scottish physician Andrew Turnbull's Smyrnea settlement; and lastly, that the site was the original St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city. Those who subscribe to idea believe that it could be even 500 years older than St. Augustine.

Local legend has it that it is haunted. Reports of sightings of spectral figures wandering near the ruins or around the shell mound, particularly in the early morning or late evening hours, hearing unexplained noises, such as whispers and footsteps when nobody else is around, a strange mist that suddenly appears and disappears around the ruins. The other wordly activities are attributed to Timucuan Indians who once inhabited the area.

And then there are the shadow people, a dark, almost black shadows that are seen creeping through the dense trees at dusk, and climbing on the walls and rubble of the ruins when the sun begins to go down for...

The park has limited on street parking with most of it paid parking but some free parking is you can find it. The park was fairly clean with no major trash or debris. The Flora was trimmed and well kept. The fort was ok for ruins but it seemed more like an old house or single building rather than a fort. The biggest issue for athletics and safety were the homeless people. They were aggressive, harassing, and smelled so bad you could smell them before you were assaulted by them. Homeless is a choice but not one that we should support in Florida since there is help for the mentally ill and you have to be mentally ill to want to sleep out side, not take a shower and adult hard working people for money. Get a job like the rest of us. Help yourself if you want us...

Was on a day trip and went to see this historic old fort park site. The foundation is what is left of the old fort and was nice to see. I was surprise that the town did not take care of the property, by not posting information signs up by the fort to show the history of the fort and not providing additional seating. The steps leading to the fort are nice, but are very not level. the town should install a separate concrete walkway (no steps) to the fort and leave the old steps to the fort to show what was used. Not sure, but the town should form a foundation-board to see about restoring the fort. It would be a great draw to the area if they...