Citrus Hammock Preserve — Attraction in Port Saint Lucie

This is a 65 acre preserve located in historic White City. It is part of the North Fork St. Lucie River Greenway, a network of over 65 miles of greenspace that serves as an important highway corridor for wildlife, people, and plants to traverse.

The land that is now the preserve was once George Venters' citrus groves and tomato, pineapple, and bean fields. Fruit that was grown here was sold as part of the Indian River Citrus League of Growers and Groves. In the late 1920's Indian River citrus was very popular and it was sold around the world. Today this area has been reclaimed by native plant communities but you may still find a hidden wild tree descended from the original grove but the fruit will be bitter.

From the parking lot it is a short walk to the trailhead. One path takes you around the lake. Branching off from the lake path is a half mile interpretive trail in the mature hydric hammock that takes you through what was once the Venters' farm but is now old live oaks, laurel oaks, slash pines, cabbage palms, red maples, pond apples and Carolina ash and flood plain forest. Here you may see squirrels, red-bellied woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers and cardinals. Wild hogs descended from the ones brought over to Florida by the Spanish in the 1500's have also been seen here. Along the trails are picnic tables and benches. On my walk I saw a number of Eastern land lubbers, a large colorful grasshopper found in the southeastern Unites States. At one point there were so many on the ground near the back of the pond that I really had to watch where I was stepping.

When I was last here five years ago there wasn't any water. Now the focal point of the preserve is a four acre man made lake can be used for catch and release fishing. The pond is an important habitat for wildlife while filtering out pollutants such as sediments, fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, oils and grease that would have drained directly into the St. Lucie River. It was gratifying to see how this natural area has been transformed into a beautiful nature area that is the perfect place to take a short hike and connect...

A nice quiet walk- saw crows, blue heron, pileated woodpecker, flowers and an armadillo and heard sand hill cranes. Only saw 2 other people there and they had the same experience of frustration from lack of markings on the trail. It had been dry so I was hoping to not have to navigate muddy areas. Not so. It doesn’t seem like it would take a whole lot to address those areas with wood bridges. Because of the lack of signage, I found myself walking on a sidewalk next to the road on the way back to the parking lot. Not bad, but not a preference. I’ll go back, wear some hiking boots and try a different path. If you don’t have a FL state park pass, there is a $3 fee,...

I lived in this quiet neighborhood for 5 years. Nice little park where I used to bring my daughter and dog to a "walk in the woods". Besides the mowed lawn around the pond, there is a short trail in the woods where you can find palm trees in wetland and eagles cracking on top of the trees. They said one day they will extend the trail to the river. I wish it would happen someday. Miss this...