Perhaps one of the best parts of living at The Preserve at Palm-Aire — along with the luxury amenities and friendly neighbors — is being in the heart of the Pompano Beach area. There is so much to do and explore throughout Broward County, including one of our favorite spots to recommend to residents and visitors of all ages: Fern Forest Nature Center.
If you are searching for something to do during your next free day or visit, we highly recommend making Fern Forest part of your to-do list.
The History of Fern Forest Nature Center
Fern Forest Nature Center is a true conservation accomplishment for the Broward County area. The land was part of the Cypress Creek floodway, which was marked for farming purposes in the early 1900s. In the late 1970s, researchers from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Broward College wrote about the area that would eventually become Fern Forest Nature Center. The center, which covers approximately 247 acres of land, is full of beautiful ferns. The university researchers wrote a paper calling the area the last remaining stronghold of ferns in the southeastern Florida area.
Now part of the Broward County Parks system, Fern Forest Nature Center offers visitors glimpses of native wildlife and plants in the middle of an otherwise urban setting.
What to Do at Fern Forest Nature Center
We love Fern Forest Nature Center because it has something for every visitor. Hike, run, or bird-watch on any of the trails within the park. There are multiple marked trails to choose from: the Cypress Creek Trail, which is a half-mile boardwalk trail, making it accessible to anyone; the Red Maple Walk, which runs one-third of a mile through red maple swamp (bring proper footwear if you mind getting wet!); and a sensory trail as well. The trails there have received multiple “best of” awards for hiking and bird-watching, so you can’t go wrong with any trail you decide to explore!
If you are an avid gardener or just enjoy being around lush plants, you can explore to your heart’s content throughout Fern Forest Nature Center. Bring along a native plant species book from the local library and see how many different species you can find. Remember to return throughout the year because the plants and animals you may encounter will change throughout the seasons.
There is more than just hiking and boardwalks at Fern Forest Nature Center. You can also enjoy performances or presentations at the amphitheater, bring along a picnic to eat in the designated picnic area, or look at art by local artists throughout the property. Remember to pack a bottle of water and sunscreen for your trip in order to stay safe in the Florida heat.
No matter how you choose to spend your day in this urban forest, you’ll find that you are planning your return trip before you even get in the car to head back home.
Trips to local parks like Fern Forest Nature Center are part of our event calendar here at The Preserve at Palm-Aire. We love accompanying residents to favorite spots throughout Broward County so they can explore our beautiful area safely with their friends. If you are ready to learn more about our beautiful community and all of the events that take place here daily, we would love to show you what makes our community so special!
Preserve residents enjoy luxury retirement amenities, including daily chef-prepared meals, in our senior living community. You’ll love it here; call us to learn more about our community. We will see you soon!
