By: Savannah Warrell
Located along Hutchinson Island, Joe’s River Park was founded to reveal the natural beauty of one of the world’s most environmentally diverse lagoons to anyone who visits it. A hotspot for local fishermen and research biologists alike, the Indian River Lagoon surrounds the park, turning it into a time portal where the boardwalk is your only connection with modern time. The grey sun-bleached boards point you in the direction of the water, successfully completing its original purpose “for the public recreation and enjoyment of the Florida waters he (Joe) loved.” A portion of the land the park now resides on was donated by the parents of Joseph Frances O’Mara, in honor of him and his love for South Florida’s natural beauty. Thanks to Joe’s love for the lagoon, visitors from all around the world can feel the warmth from the sun shining through the Florida Red Mangroves as they engulf the boardwalk, with the branches pointing out towards the water.