Port St. Lucie, FL
Staying true to its motto, “A City for All Ages,” Port St. Lucie, Florida, is indeed a vibrant and diverse community. Being only two hours from Orlando, two hours from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and three hours from Tampa also places it in the middle of many desired suburban locations and major attractions. It is a constantly-growing urban area but has not lost a feeling of the “real Florida" with its small-town atmosphere and avoidance of city traffic.
Port St. Lucie is situated on the Atlantic coast in the heart of Florida's Treasure Coast, which is the name given to the coastal regions of St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River counties. The name commemorates a Spanish Treasure Fleet that was lost in a 1715 hurricane.
Incorporated in 1961, it has an area of 120.51 square miles, which is 118.89 square miles of land and 1.62 square miles of water. Residents and visitors can paddle the rivers, hike environmental preserves, ride horses on the beaches, and other outdoor activities. They can play championship golf or go to the Fort Pierce Jai-Alai, the "fastest game on Earth" at one of the few remaining Florida frontons.
The Port St. Lucie Civic Center is an elegant facility with 100,000 square feet dedicated to the hosting of social, business, trade shows in the Ruby Conference Hall, conferences, meetings, various classes, and numerous recreation and sporting events. The beautifully-appointed Emerald Ballroom and the Plaza Boardwalk outdoor patio area, overlooking a pond and fountains, is an outstanding setting for a wedding ceremony and reception or a prom or any kind of special family or corporate gathering. There is also an Art Gallery, an outdoor Martin Health System Village Square and Stage, a gym, and racquetball courts. The Center even holds a summer camp for the children.
The Treasure Coast Model Railroad Club opens on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon so that the public can go back in time and marvel at the remarkable and lovingly-recreated workmanship of model railroad enthusiasts. There are various setups by the builders of model trains and miniature towns with old-time depots and advertising signs. Club members tell lots of stories and spend time with visitors. No admission is charged, but they do ask for donations.
The JW Corbett Wildlife Management Area Trails near nearby Indiantown include the 1.2-mile Hungryland Slough Boardwalk and Trail where you explore the usually inaccessible cypress swamp. The trail begins in slash pine flatwoods. Along the boardwalk are a variety of trees and plants and 13 species of ferns. The Corbett portion is foot traffic only with no vehicles, bicycles, or horses allowed.