River Cove Park is a small 3-acre preserve located in Stuart, Florida, that provides public access to the Indian River Lagoon while protecting mangrove tidal swamp and coastal hammock habitats. It serves as both a peaceful waterfront park and an important outdoor learning site for the community.
The park offers parking facilities, sidewalks, a picnic pavilion, and a beach area along the lagoon, making it a relaxing spot to enjoy the water, have a picnic, or explore the shoreline.
One of the park’s most important roles is environmental education. The property is used as a field trip location for the Environmental Studies Center (ESC), operated by the Martin County School District. About 12,000 students visit each year to take part in hands-on field investigations while exploring the Indian River Lagoon, mangrove swamps, freshwater ponds, and wetlands. Many students who started learning here have gone on to become environmental engineers, marine biologists, and ecosystem managers.
River Cove Park is also part of Florida’s Designated Paddling Trails through the Martin County Blueway Paddling Trails, which cover nearly 38 miles of waterways along the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie River, making it a great spot to launch a kayak or canoe and explore the area from the water.
Read on about more things to do, see, and enjoy on Florida’s Treasure Coast.
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