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State park · Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
State park between the Intracoastal Waterway and Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront, featuring a freshwater lagoon, short trails through coastal scrub, and a 1940 art deco house that now serves as the visitor center.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
The park protects a stretch of coastal woodland within Fort Lauderdale’s urban area, between the Intracoastal Waterway and A1A avenue, with the beach on the opposite side. It is named for Hugh Taylor Birch, a Chicago lawyer who arrived in the area in 1893, bought beachfront land and built the Terramar house in 1940, where he lived until his death in 1943.
The art deco house is now the Terramar Visitor Center, with displays about Birch, local history and the coastal environment. The park has a freshwater lagoon of about 1.6 km, good for kayaking, two short trails through the scrub, picnic areas and bike paths.
It’s a shady break close to the beach: the bike or walking loop through the park helps you spot shorebirds and small scrub animals without leaving the city.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 to 3 hours.
Best time
In the morning, when it’s cooler and there are more birds; November to April has less rain.
How to get there
It’s on A1A avenue, north of the junction with Sunrise Boulevard, facing the beach. Local buses run along A1A; the park charges a vehicle entrance fee.
Tip
Rent a kayak to paddle the lagoon, then cross A1A to finish your outing on the beach.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
What to do at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park?
Paddle on the freshwater lagoon, walk the trails, cycle the loop and visit the Terramar house, which operates as the visitor center.
Does Hugh Taylor Birch State Park have a beach?
The park is across A1A from Fort Lauderdale Beach; just cross the avenue.
Who was Hugh Taylor Birch?
A Chicago lawyer who bought land in the area in the late 19th century and built the Terramar house in 1940.