D.J. Wilcox Preserve

Size: 105 acres
Habitat: Pine flatwoods, mangrove swamp, hammock and bay-gall swamp.  The Preserve borders the Indian River Lagoon.  Several large specimens of Slash Pine are found on the site.
Trails: A 1-mile self guided interpretive trail identifies the common species of plants of the site.
Other Improvements: Canoe launch and fishing pier
Commonly Seen Wildlife: Alligator, Pelican, osprey, red-shouldered hawk, Ibis, herons, Egrets, wood stork and spoonbills.
Location:

There are two access points: (1) 300 Michigan Street, Ft. Pierce, which provides access to the trail; and (2) 399 Wilcox Road, Ft. Pierce, which provides Indian River Lagoon access

D.J. Wilcox Directions

Management: Cooperative effort between St. Lucie County Environmental Resources and Mosquito Control.  Purchased with the assistance of Florida Communities Trust's Florida Forever Program and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Historical Interest: The site was named after D. J. Wilcox, past owner of the property and County Commissioner.  Dewey Wilcox was a foreman for the East Coast Development Company (partly owned by Edwin Binney from Crayola fame) that was to create a new town called Indrio during the land boom of the late 1920's.  The depression stopped the town from being built, and Dewey purchased much of the land from the company.  D.J. moved his in-laws (the Aubrecht's) to the site in the late 1920's.  Remnants of the Aubrecht homestead (circa 1925) remain, and a short trail interprets its history.
Notes:

Caution should be taken when hiking the trail, as alligators are known to frequent the area around the lake.

 

D.J. Wilcox Brochure

The American Alligator

The Aubrecht Homestead

 

 

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