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Pondhawk in Boca Raton is an urban oasis & it’s free

Pondhawk Natural Area is among the delightful areas of wilderness within the urban and suburban fabric of South Florida. It’s open to the public for free. It’s includes wetlands and a fun StoryWalk.

For insider info, Lee Lietzke of Palm Beach County  Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) offers his perspective on Pondhawk, including what you’ll likely sniff, hear and see.

Photo/Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management

“I …recommend traveling through the natural area at a leisurely pace,” Lietzke says. “Moving slowly and quietly will allow all the little details to soak in and increase the probability of observing wildlife.”

Sights, Sounds & Scents

Sights:  StoryWalk features pages of a storybook displayed along a path. StoryWalk was installed by Boca Raton Library and ERM.

Photo/Boca Raton Public Library

Sounds: “Pondhawk Natural Area is an island of wilderness surrounded by a sea of urban development. ERM staff thoughtfully designed and installed the on-site public use facilities with the intention of providing visitors with a refuge from the clatter and noise of the surrounding metropolitan environs. So one pleasant thing to hear at Pondhawk is silence,” Lietzke says.  

Scents: “Silk bay, a distinctive tree endemic to peninsular Florida, is closely related to the species that provides bay leaves commonly used in the culinary arts,” according to Lietzke. “The leaves of silk bay have a pleasing, sweet aroma.”

Foliage

Lietzke says: “A distinctive plant community protected at Pondhawk Natural Area is scrub. … Simply put, scrub is Florida’s answer to the desert. The scrub habitat at Pondhawk Natural Area is home to many rare plant species including Florida rosemary, shell mound prickly pear cactus and coontie.”

Pondhawk includes eight acres of restored wetlands featuring sawgrass.

Photo & Featured Photo/Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management

Wildlife

Lietzke says: “Pondhawk Natural Area provides habitat for numerous species of butterfly. Species regularly observed on-site include: gulf fritillary, white peacock, , zebra longwing, and ruddy daggerwing. In fall 2021, ERM partnered with the Boca Raton Library to install a butterfly garden near the entrance to the natural area. With the help of volunteers, more than 100 butterfly host and nectar plants were installed. This project demonstrated viability almost immediately as butterflies were observed utilizing the host plants during the initial planting event.

“A diverse array of bird species are commonly observed at Pondhawk Natural Area. The variety of habitat types present within the natural area provide food and shelter for diverse avian species including great blue heron, Pileated woodpecker and Ruby-throated hummingbird.

“Fortunate visitors to Pondhawk may observe the only tortoise species naturally found east of the Mississippi River, the gopher tortoise.  At Pondhawk Natural Area they are present in the high, dry scrub habitat where they construct their burrows and feed on low, grassy vegetation.” 

Selfies & Photo Ops

Lietzke recommends snapping photos from the observation platform overlooking the restored marsh.

Other Tips

Lietzke says: “Before entering the natural area I recommend stopping at the informational kiosk and picking up a trail guide. In addition to a very useful map, the trail guide provides information on the site’s history, context in the surrounding area and information on plants and animals.

“While there are many places at Pondhawk with overhead canopy, many public use areas are exposed to the sun. I recommend wearing a hat and using sunblock when on site. It’s also a good Idea to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated.

“I also recommend traveling through the natural area at a leisurely pace. Moving slowly and quietly will allow all the little details to soak in and increase the probability of observing wildlife.”

Wonderful information. Thank you, Lee.

Information

Pondhawk is on the western side of Spanish River Library, 1501 Spanish River Boulevard, Boca Raton. Read other information on the website

Other Parks & Natural Areas

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Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Discounts for Miami-Dade County Fair

All Day | Discounted | Miami Dade County Fair & Exposition

Regal Theatres: Discounted movie tickets on Tuesdays

All Day | $5.00-7.00 | Regal Cinemas Multiple Locations

FGO: Tosca by Giacomo Puccini

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Tasty Tuesdays with Food Trucks

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Food Trucks Tuesdays

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Haulover Beach Park

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All Day | Discounted | Miami Dade County Fair & Exposition

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12:00 pm to 1:30 pm | FREE | Stranahan Park

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Discounts for Miami-Dade County Fair

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Discounts for Miami-Dade County Fair

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Free Miami Beach Live!

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Saturday, March 25, 2023

Discounts for Miami-Dade County Fair

All Day | Discounted | Miami Dade County Fair & Exposition

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

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Plantation Farmers Market

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Florida Renaissance Festival on weekends

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Free live music at Hollywood beach bandshell

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Live Music at Doral Yard

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Doral Yard

Discount late-night movies

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Sunday, March 26, 2023

Discounts for Miami-Dade County Fair

All Day | Discounted | Miami Dade County Fair & Exposition

Farmers markets & vendor fairs

FREE | Broward, Dade & greater Palm Beach

Tamarac Farmers Market

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Florida Renaissance Festival on weekends

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Family Sundays at Dania Pointe

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8:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE | Nightlife Brewing Co.

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Patti Roth

About Patti Roth

Patti Roth, the editor of Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap, scouts out state and national deals, discounts and coupons for our readers, finding the real deals and presenting them in an easy-to-read format. A veteran newspaper and magazine writer and a longtime South Florida resident, she has written for The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel and Life, E Environmental Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, US Architecture and Earth911.com. Send your cheap tips to her at info@fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com.

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