Riverbend Park wins national award

Palm Beach County’s Riverbend Park, west of Jupiter, gained national recognition as the 2010 recipient of the prestigious National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) Environmental / Conservation Award.

NACPRO is an affiliate of both the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

This award program is presented to recognize an exceptional effort to acquire, restore, preserve, operate, or develop unique and significant conservation and natural areas and programs. Winning entries serve as a model to be shared with parks and recreation departments across the country.

“Riverbend Park is one of the jewels of our park system enjoyed by hikers, bikers and history buffs,” said Palm Beach County Commission Vice Chair Karen Marcus.

Riverbend Park represents the culmination of a successful 32-year restoration and preservation effort of 684 acres of historically and environmentally significant land here in our densely populated region of South Florida. Unique partnerships of local, State and Federal agencies, a coordination of resources, and extensive community input led to the successful development and protection of this extraordinary park. This effort successfully met its environmental restoration objectives, preserved the property as a regional County park, and ensures public access to it for compatible, passive recreation and for environmental and historic education for years to come.

Today, there is little evidence of the invasive exotic plant species that had once overtaken this picturesque property. With its restored waterways, native re-vegetation, and the many species of native wildlife that now make Riverbend its home, the park serves as the only surviving example of a subtropical cypress forest river system remaining in Florida. Riverbend has become the connecting hub of larger trail systems, such as the Florida Trail, the Northeast Everglades Natural Area, and Ocean-to-Lake [Okeechobee] Trail. Visitors enjoy canoeing/kayaking, picnicking, hiking, and scenic biking and equestrian trails.

Riverbend is now recognized as a significant cultural and historical resource for our community. The site of two Seminole Indian War battles fought at this location in 1838 has been preserved, and tours are regularly offered. Special events and demonstrations provide a unique living history experience in the authentically-constructed Seminole Village and Pioneer Homestead.

Ongoing programs for all ages encompass vegetable gardening and moonlit bike rides among the Cypress trees.

This gem in Palm Beach County’s park system has clearly become an exceptional and popular destination for many seeking a scenic getaway and a taste of Old Florida.

For more information about Riverbend Park, located at 9060 Indiantown Road, west of Jupiter, as well as other parks and leisure opportunities available through the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.pbcparks.com.