St. Lucie County, FL
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Citrus Hammock Preserve
| Location |
6511 Citrus Ave |
| Contact Number | 772-462-2526 |
| Park Information |
This 64-acre preserve is part of the North Fork St. Lucie River (NFSLR) Greenway and serves as an important part of the wildlife corridor that runs along the river. The 4-acre man-made pond provides habitat for wildlife such as wading birds and waterfowl, helps offset historic wetland habitat loss in St. Lucie County, and provides water quality and flood protection for stormwater runoff from area streets. Pollutants such as sediments, fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, oils and grease historically drained directly into the river; this pond now functions like a filter-system helping to remove these harmful pollutants. Citrus Hammock is a public preserve owned by St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners and managed by St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department (SLC ERD). This preserve was purchased with funds from the St. Lucie County’s Environmentally Significant Lands Bond Program, a 67% voter-approved $20 million tax referendum, and Florida Communities' Trust—Florida Forever Program, a State funding program to preserve and provide passive public access to Florida’s remaining natural treasures. This preserve is managed for invasive vegetation, wildlife, and passive recreation.The site was acquired to allow for passive recreation by St. Lucie County residents and visitors. Citrus Hammock Preserve is open dawn to dusk everyday. Please remember to be a green steward for this preserve by remembering to pack out all trash brought into the site.
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| Amenities |
Catch & Release Fishing Pond |
| Additional Information | Trails: 1/2 mile self guided interpretive trail winds through the hammock identifying the most common species. Habitat: Mature hydric hammock with several large, old live oaks, laurel oaks, slash pines, cabbage palms, red maples, pond apples and Carolina ash and flood plain forest supporting an abundance of wetland vegetation. Commonly seen wildlife: Squirrels, red-bellied woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers and cardinals. |
| Historical Interest |
The North Fork of the St. Lucie River was an important transport and trade route for St. Lucie County's early residents. Prior to the 1890s the river was freshwater and historically may have been connected to the Indian River Lagoon as inlets naturally formed and disappeared periodically, however in 1892 the St. Lucie Inlet was completed permanently connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River Lagoon at the mouth of the St. Lucie River. Once this connection was made the river transformed into a riverine estuary. |