Overview: It might take decades to accomplish, but some environmental wrongs do get righted. Case in point: This place, South Cove Natural Area. South Cove is one of three natural areas on the Lake Worth Lagoon built by Palm Beach County with the help of other agencies aimed at restoring some of the estuary's natural features and habitats lost through decades of development. The area covers six acres and includes three small man-made islands on Lake Worth just north of the Royal Palm Bridge along North Flagler Avenue.
There is a 556-foot boardwalk that leads out to the first and largest of the three islands. All three islands are covered with mangroves, mainly reds. Coinvine has established itself here, as has seaside mahoe, an invasive tree. Rocks line the outer edges of the islands, while the landward sides are built like sand dunes, sloped to provide varying exposure to the tides. Look closely at the shoreline and you'll see dozens of fiddler crabs doing their thing.
History: Back in the 1960s, the site of what's now South Cove Natural Area was dredged for fill used in the construction of Flagler Avenue. The hole left behind gathered sediment that degraded the waters of the Lake Worth Estuary. In the late 1990s, Palm Beach County began an effort to improve the ecology of the estuary, creating three natural areas, including South Cove, and building so-called living seawalls where practicable. The South Cove project filled the hole that was left behind by the construction of Flagler, and the three islands and an oyster bed on the south end created a protected habitat for fish, manatees, sea turtles and shore birds.
What You'll See: We can see the islands becoming magnets for shore birds as the mangroves mature. During our visits, we've spotted snowy egrets, little blue herons, grackles and cormorants. Both white ibis and brown pelicans flew overhead but did not land on any of the islands. We've visited at times when the islands and nearby waters were still and when there was considerable avian activity. If nothing else, it's a pleasant walk, especially for workers in the nearby office towers.
Amenities: South Cove Natural Area features the aforementioned 556-foot boardwalk with an observation platform with benches at the end. There are interpretive displays at the beginning of the boardwalk. There is no off-street parking, but there is a parking garage and metered parking nearby. If you don't have any other business in the city and want to take a look at South Cove, we suggest weekends and evenings are probably the best times to snag a spot close by.
Nearby: Snook Islands Natural Area is in Lake Worth Beach along the Intracoastal Waterway, perhaps a 10-minute drive. Lantana Nature Preserve is farther south on the Intracoastal; Ocean Ridge Natural Area is on the east side of the Intracoastal on A1A, as is Ocean Ridge Hammock.
Of Note: Admission is free but as noted above, South Cove Natural Area lacks off-street parking. There is a paid city lot and paid street parking nearby. South Cove is a project of Palm Beach County's Department of Environmental Resource Management, the city of West Palm Beach and the Florida Inland Navigation District.
Cover Photo: A snowy egret forages along the shores of one of South Cove Natural Area's three island. Second photo: Two little blue herons wading in the shallows along the islands. Both photos illustrate what South Cove is all about, creating new habitat and improving the ecological health of the Lake Worth Lagoon, one of Palm Beach County's natural gems.
There is a 556-foot boardwalk that leads out to the first and largest of the three islands. All three islands are covered with mangroves, mainly reds. Coinvine has established itself here, as has seaside mahoe, an invasive tree. Rocks line the outer edges of the islands, while the landward sides are built like sand dunes, sloped to provide varying exposure to the tides. Look closely at the shoreline and you'll see dozens of fiddler crabs doing their thing.
History: Back in the 1960s, the site of what's now South Cove Natural Area was dredged for fill used in the construction of Flagler Avenue. The hole left behind gathered sediment that degraded the waters of the Lake Worth Estuary. In the late 1990s, Palm Beach County began an effort to improve the ecology of the estuary, creating three natural areas, including South Cove, and building so-called living seawalls where practicable. The South Cove project filled the hole that was left behind by the construction of Flagler, and the three islands and an oyster bed on the south end created a protected habitat for fish, manatees, sea turtles and shore birds.
What You'll See: We can see the islands becoming magnets for shore birds as the mangroves mature. During our visits, we've spotted snowy egrets, little blue herons, grackles and cormorants. Both white ibis and brown pelicans flew overhead but did not land on any of the islands. We've visited at times when the islands and nearby waters were still and when there was considerable avian activity. If nothing else, it's a pleasant walk, especially for workers in the nearby office towers.
Amenities: South Cove Natural Area features the aforementioned 556-foot boardwalk with an observation platform with benches at the end. There are interpretive displays at the beginning of the boardwalk. There is no off-street parking, but there is a parking garage and metered parking nearby. If you don't have any other business in the city and want to take a look at South Cove, we suggest weekends and evenings are probably the best times to snag a spot close by.
Nearby: Snook Islands Natural Area is in Lake Worth Beach along the Intracoastal Waterway, perhaps a 10-minute drive. Lantana Nature Preserve is farther south on the Intracoastal; Ocean Ridge Natural Area is on the east side of the Intracoastal on A1A, as is Ocean Ridge Hammock.
Of Note: Admission is free but as noted above, South Cove Natural Area lacks off-street parking. There is a paid city lot and paid street parking nearby. South Cove is a project of Palm Beach County's Department of Environmental Resource Management, the city of West Palm Beach and the Florida Inland Navigation District.
Cover Photo: A snowy egret forages along the shores of one of South Cove Natural Area's three island. Second photo: Two little blue herons wading in the shallows along the islands. Both photos illustrate what South Cove is all about, creating new habitat and improving the ecological health of the Lake Worth Lagoon, one of Palm Beach County's natural gems.
