GARDENS
will give us a greenway of over 800 acres, which is as
large as New York’s Central Park, gives me the goosebumps,”
Adams said.
Heathcote plans call for exercise, hiking and biking
trails, giving visitors a chance to see the coastal sand
scrub, transitional hardwood hammock, and savannas
grassland inhabited by critters and birds including
gopher tortoise, scrub jay and bald eagles.
“This is our chance to preserve a part of old Florida,”
Adams said. “Two recent grants let us cut down exotics
and plant native trees.”
A trailhead at the southern edge links to a hiking and
biking trail that will wind south through the county’s
Savannas Recreation Area and the state’s Savannas
Preserve park into Martin County. From there it will connect
eventually to the interstate bike and hike trail system
that goes all the way to Key West.
At its northern end, Heathcote’s trails will open onto a
city hiking and biking trail, now in the works, meandering
along the edge of Indian Hills Golf Course, through
downtown Fort Pierce, to North Bridge and up North
Red impatiens and colorful crotons blend together into a swath of garden.
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Heathcote Botanical Gardens
210 Savannah Road, Fort Pierce
Established 1985 as 3.5 acre non-profit botanical garden
on site of old Heathcote Nursery.
Expanded in 2000 to 5 acres
Phase 1, 67 acres, to be completed 3 to 5 years after
land purchase from city of Fort Pierce, funded by a
$3.5 million Florida Communities Trust grant.
Admission: $6 Adults; $5 Seniors; $2 Children 6-12;
Children under 6 admitted free; Heathcote members
admitted free (excluding special fundraisers)
Hours: Gardens and gift shop Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.
- 5 p.m.; Open November-April on Sundays, 1 - 5
p.m.. Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Phone: Admissions and gift shop 772.464.0323
Heathcote Botanical Gardens
Future Park Boundaries
North-South - From the foot of the Indian Hills golf course to
2,000 feet south of Savannah Road.
East-West - From the current Heathcote Botanical Gardens
around the western and northern sides of the city Public
Works Department to the railroad track.
Extension toward the river to follow along the curving west
side of the FEC railroad track. Will eventually adjoin the county
Savannas Recreation Area to the south.