WALK WITH ME: SOUTH FLORIDA'S RED REEF PARK

 

 

 

 

Now that spring is officially here,

I hope that Jack Frost is no longer nipping at your nose,

and you are done with picking frost out of your eyebrows.

But, early spring is finicky.

Just when you think it's safe to put away your snow boots, 

there will be a knock at your door.......

and it won't be the Amazon guy.

 

It'll be Old Man Winter. 

back for an encore delivery of cold and snow.

I'm sorry.

I don't mean to rub it in while I sit here shvitzing  

(translation: sweating, in Yiddish)

at the pool in Florida.......

 

Truly, I'm not trying to flaunt my palm palms 🌴🌴 

in your face.

 

In fact, I'm offering a free session of visualization therapy, 

to help you cope with post-traumatic-winter-stress-disorder,

by virtually transporting  you to a warm and tropical place. 

  Remember "Calgon, take me away "???

Well, consider me your Calgon, and today,

I'm taking you to Red Reef Park in Boca Raton, Florida. 

 

 

Red Reef Park is a 67-acre ocean front recreation area

featuring snorkel reefs, a golf course, walking trails........

and the star attraction, in my opinion.......

the magnificent beach.

The park is located between Florida's

Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.

Scenic highway Route A1A

separates the park into two distinct areas.

 

 

The Intracoastal side of the park is primarily 

a 9-hole golf course.

It was cloudy the day I was there,

so the pictures are a little dark.

 

 

This side of the park also offers magnificent views 

of spectacular homes on the water 

that sell for bazillions of dollars,

many of which have yachts docked outside their doors.

 

 

It's a great place to pull up a  bench and watch the boats go by.

 

 

The main area of the park is across the street. 

 

Before crossing over the dunes to the beach,

you will find a picnic area,  playground, and rest rooms. 

 

 

 

For many people, snorkeling at the southern end of the park 

is the main draw, although not for me.

I've got a better chance of becoming a mermaid 

than ever going snorkeling again. 

My last experience was many years ago in Hawaii,

where I got scraped up on a coral reef.

I'll stick to a glass bottom boat, thank you very much. 

 

To me, a highlight of Red Reef Park

is a series of boardwalks and walkways.......

 

 

 

They wind through lush banyan and seagrape trees.......

 A leisurely stroll along this trail 

provides a shady respite from the Florida heat.

 

 

 

 

 

There are benches along the way to sit and take in the views,

or rest your tootsies.

 

There's even a pavilion where you might be

lucky enough to take a yoga class overlooking the ocean.  

Namaste.

 

 

The paths lead to various entry points along the beach,

one prettier than the next. 

Whichever entry point you choose,

you will find yourself on a beautiful stretch of seashore.

 

Lifeguard shacks are spaced along the beach.

In addition to providing a important safety service,

I find them to be quite photogenic.  

 So.......

have I succeeded in helping you 

to enjoy a brief respite from the winter doldrums?

I certainly hope so.

And, in case I've failed,

you can take solace in the fact that I will 

soon be heading back to the northeast,

where Old Man Winter just might be ringing my doorbell 

upon my return.

Boy, will that hurt.

 

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - RED REEF PARK :

 

Location:

    400 N. Ocean Blvd.

    Boca Raton, FL

Hours:

    8:00am - 10:00pm daily 

 

Fees:

    The park is free, but there is a parking fee. Inquire for current rate.

Amenities:

    Picnic and Barbecue areas

    Playground 

    Lifeguards on duty 9:00am - 6:30pm

   Snorkeling reef (equipment cannot be rented on site).

 

Alcoholic beverages, smoking, and pets are not permitted.

 

 

 

 

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