OverviewTradewinds Park in central Broward County is well known as the home of Butterfly World, and it hosts a Christmas lights show that attracts thousands each year. It has its share of ball fields, picnic areas, a disc golf course, horse stables and riding trails, plus a whole lot more. But if you look around the edges of the park, you'll find it has a less manicured side, with ponds and lakes, woods and meadows, which in turn provide habitat for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, wildflowers and more.
Once upon a time, it offered a short boardwalk and nature trail that made its way through a cypress forest. The first time we visited, in 2015, the boardwalk hadn't been completed but still was open to the public. When we visited the park to update our page, the boardwalk was closed and seemingly abandoned, marked off limits to the public.
History: Broward County bought the first land for Tradewinds Park in 1974. The park opened in 1977. Butterfly World opened in 1986.
What You'll See: The park is more than 600 acres split in two by Sample Road. There are hard-surfaced paths throughout the park but they are intended to be shared by a variety of users. Broward County has classified Tradewinds as a bird sanctuary and the park does attract its share of feathered friends. Birds we saw included red-bellied woodpecker, anhingas and double-crested cormorants. Among the plants we spotted were spider lillies, airplants, lichens, lizard's tail and flea bane. Ruddy daggerwinged butterflies were everywhere.
Amenities: There is plenty of parking, restrooms, drinking water and picnic areas. There are horse trails and stables on the north side of Sample Road. Check the website for a full list of amenities.
Nearby: Fern Forest Nature Center, also in Coconut Creek, is perhaps a 10-minute drive away.
Links: The Institute for Regional Conservation's inventory of plants for Tradewinds Park.
Of Note: Entrance to the park is free during the week. There is a $3 charge for most cars on weekends and holidays as of this writing (July 2024). Check the park website for details.
Cover Photo: A monarch Butterfly feeding on Spanish needles. This is the home of Butterfly World, after all, but you can find an abundance of butterflies fluttering freely about the park with a sharp eye and a little walking. Second photo: The entrance to world famous Butterfly World. Definitely worth exploring.
Once upon a time, it offered a short boardwalk and nature trail that made its way through a cypress forest. The first time we visited, in 2015, the boardwalk hadn't been completed but still was open to the public. When we visited the park to update our page, the boardwalk was closed and seemingly abandoned, marked off limits to the public.
History: Broward County bought the first land for Tradewinds Park in 1974. The park opened in 1977. Butterfly World opened in 1986.
What You'll See: The park is more than 600 acres split in two by Sample Road. There are hard-surfaced paths throughout the park but they are intended to be shared by a variety of users. Broward County has classified Tradewinds as a bird sanctuary and the park does attract its share of feathered friends. Birds we saw included red-bellied woodpecker, anhingas and double-crested cormorants. Among the plants we spotted were spider lillies, airplants, lichens, lizard's tail and flea bane. Ruddy daggerwinged butterflies were everywhere.
Amenities: There is plenty of parking, restrooms, drinking water and picnic areas. There are horse trails and stables on the north side of Sample Road. Check the website for a full list of amenities.
Nearby: Fern Forest Nature Center, also in Coconut Creek, is perhaps a 10-minute drive away.
Links: The Institute for Regional Conservation's inventory of plants for Tradewinds Park.
Of Note: Entrance to the park is free during the week. There is a $3 charge for most cars on weekends and holidays as of this writing (July 2024). Check the park website for details.
Cover Photo: A monarch Butterfly feeding on Spanish needles. This is the home of Butterfly World, after all, but you can find an abundance of butterflies fluttering freely about the park with a sharp eye and a little walking. Second photo: The entrance to world famous Butterfly World. Definitely worth exploring.
