St. Lucie County, FL
Home MenuService Finder
St. Lucie Woods Preserve
Future opening to be announced. Stay tuned!
Location
intersection of Oleander Ave and Kitterman Rd
Google Maps Directions
The Oleander Sensory Friendly Preserve (official name forthcoming) will open in the near future and is located along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. This preserve will offer inclusive, barrier-free access to floodplain forest, pine flatwoods, wet prairie, and a scenic river oxbow. Purchased with Environmentally Significant Lands bond funds and matched dollar for dollar through a Florida Communities Trust grant, the project protects sensitive habitats while delivering new recreation opportunities for people of all abilities.
Description
Designated an Outstanding Florida Water in 1972, the North Fork Aquatic Preserve supports manatees, American alligators, river otters, wood storks, little blue herons, brown pelicans, five species of snook, and the endemic opossum pipefish. This preserve’s mix of floodplain forest, flatwoods, and prairie lies on the river’s west bank near historic White City, expanding a county conservation network that now encompasses around 12,000 acres.
The land was acquired on January 15, 2015, for $460,548.58, with Florida Communities Trust reimbursing half that amount through its Unique Abilities (UA17) funding cycle.
Driving Directions
From U.S. 1 (White City):
- Turn west onto Kitterman Road at the Grace Emmanuel Church traffic light.
- Continue about ¾ mile to the four-way stop and turn left onto Oleander Avenue.
- The preserve entrance is on the right, just past the bend—look for the county preserve sign and trailhead.
Planned Amenities
| Amenity | Specification | Accessibility / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trail ADA Nature Trail | 6 ft-wide concrete loop | Connects the trailhead kiosk and parking |
| Trail ADA Boardwalk | 6 ft-wide elevated section | Crosses the seasonal wetland zone |
| Trail Wilderness Boardwalk & Trail | 6 ft width | Leads to the river overlook |
| Facility Wildlife Observation Deck | 10 × 10 ft platform | Views of the oxbow and floodplain canopy |
| Water Canoe / Kayak Landing | 225 sq ft floating/shore stop-over | Part of the North Fork Blueway |
| Trail Bridge | Single-span over interior stream | Links upland and lowland trails |
| Facility Sensory Play Stations | Eight themed pods with seating | Designed for visitors with unique abilities |
| Facility Outdoor Classroom Pavilion | 50 × 60 ft shelter | Shade for programs and picnics |
| Facility Restroom Building | 30 × 30 ft | Fully ADA-compliant facilities with adult changing rooms |
| Facility Parking Lot | 38 spaces (2 van-accessible) | Direct sidewalk to the trailhead |
| Environmental Stormwater Treatment Area | 2,686 sq ft pond | Cleans runoff before river entry |
| Environmental Shoreline & Ditch Restoration | ~3 acres of native planting | Stabilizes banks and improves habitat |
Additional Information
This preserve is one of only a few Florida Communities Trust projects funded specifically for inclusive recreation under the Unique Abilities program. The preserve will likely follow other St. Lucie County preserve guidelines, such as being open daily from dawn to dusk, adhering to “pack-in, pack-out” ethics, and requiring pets to remain leashed—again, consistent with the guidelines of other St. Lucie County preserves. Grand opening and volunteer event details will be announced on the St. Lucie County's social media channels as construction milestones are met.