Parks

Delight in a family picnic, tossing a Frisbee with friends or a nature walk on the Fourth of July, and Broward Regional Parks are offering free entry. The usual holiday fee is waived. Quiet Waters in Deerfield Beach, TY Park in Hollywood and Tree Tops Park in Davie are among the array of  Broward regional …

If you’re on a quest to discover a place where you can take the kids and enjoy the day for next to nothing, then the Gumbo Limbo Natu ere Center in Boca Raton is definitely a place for the whole family to enjoy an authentic outdoor Florida adventure. Sunday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to …

For another kind of nightlife, try an evening nature walk at a Broward park.  Some parks occasionally offer night hikes in forests, prairies, on shorelines and other intriguing outdoor spaces. On the tour, you’ll savor distinctive nocturnal sights, scents and sounds of evenings in the wild. It’s a nice idea for a romantic date, fun …

Deerfield Island is a natural area on the Intracoastal Waterway in north Broward that’s accessible by boat. Free water shuttle excursions to Deerfield Island Natural Area are weather permitting, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  The free boat shuttle service usually runs from a dock at Sullivan Park, 1701 Riverview Road, Deerfield Beach, at 10 a.m., 11 …

Dog owners know how important it is to take their pooches on long walks if they’re not lucky enough to have a fenced-in yard to allow them to run freely. But what if you can’t walk long distances with Fido or Sparky? Answer: You look for a nearby dog park. Here’s everything you need to …

Are you interested in exploring nature? Do you enjoy learning about local flora and fauna and seeing creatures in their natural habit or would like to join a naturalist-led group hike to search for animals?  How does a guided walk through a pine flatwood forest to encounter wildlife along with a red-shouldered hawk sound? Are …

If you’re looking to soak  in the outdoors in South Florida, Fern Forest in north Broward is a lush oasis for nature walks and occasional free astronomy programs with telescopes. Delight in the scenic setting on your own or register for a guided hike. Most events are free or relatively inexpensive. Entry into the natural …

While lots of parks in South Florida are relatively flat, Vista View Park in Davie is distinctive for its relatively tall terrain, with parts about 65 feet above sea level. Entry to Vista View  is free on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, the fee is $3 per vehicle for up to 8 people or $20 …

Pools, water parks and water playgrounds in Broward offer refreshing fun. Some venues, especially municipal pools, offer entry without spending a wad of money.    You can find splash pads with free entry, pools and water parks that don’t cost much, and even some water parks that offer discounts in the afternoons. If you’re looking …

Pull out your favorite swimwear. The water playground at Quiet Waters Park offers occasional extra events and opportunities for discounts. Splash Adventure is an interactive shallow water playground with slides and spritzy features. Quiet Waters Park, 954-357-5100, is at 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach 33442.  Water playground fees & discounts Splash Adventure is inside …

For a fun, unique and inexpensive activity in north Broward, hop aboard a little railroad.  The teeny train runs on tracks around a pond at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. Train rides offered third weekends Functioning model locomotives offer rides 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the third full weekend of each month, weather permitting. It’s …