Ponce Preserve

The Ponce Preserve is the town's largest park with approximately 41 acres stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Halifax River. Sitting at the heart of this park is the Green Mound State Archaeological Site, an ancient Indian midden.The terrain is varied, from the ocean dunes, through terraced palmetto patches and maritime hammock to the wetlands adjacent to the Halifax River. You'll find many of our native plants in the Preserve including Florida lantana, southern red cedar, cabbage palms, Simpson's stoppers and oak trees. At the base of the Green Mound is a live oak estimated to be more than 350 years old. The Preserve has been added to the East Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail and is an excellent site for bird watching.The parking lot and restrooms on the east side of Peninsula Drive give direct access to the nature trails through the park. The boardwalk begins directly across the street and offers two places to launch canoes and kayaks while meandering one-third of a mile across the marsh out to the Halifax River. Three covered gazebos offer visitors a place to relax and enjoy unspoiled views. Funding for these projects was provided by the Ponce deLeon Inlet & Port District of Volusia County and the Florida Inland Navigation District. The Garden Club of Ponce Inlet provided the benches throughout the park and landscaping at the entrance island.The center portion of the Preserve is home to two nature themed playgrounds, one located near the parking lot and one a short walk along a new trail at the center of the park adjacent to the wildlife observation tower. A covered picnic pavilion is located near the parking lot and playground and fitness stations are located along the trails.On the east side of Atlantic Avenue, a handicapped accessible dune walkover provide access to the pristine beach. There is also a small parking area with handicapped parking available.Funding for the construction of the recreational facilities was provided by the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program and Volusia ECHO grants.