3900 SW 100th Avenue
Davie

Park Website / Natural Area Website

Tree Tops and Pine Island are separate but adjoining facilities, sharing the same entrance and address. In fact, the two are so seamlessly integrated, that you can't really tell where one begins and the other ends. Tree Tops is a traditional park, with picnic facilities, fishing, boatinghorseback riding, bicycling and hiking. There is an observation tower that climbs into, well, the tree tops. Pine Island is more on the wild side, with trails weaving through an ancient stand of live oaks to a boardwalk that traverses the margins of a restored wetland.

Pine Island is the sandy remnant of what was a barrier island about 20,000 years ago, and is the highest natural point in Broward County at 29 feet above sea level. It's home to raccoons, squirrels, gopher tortoise, snakes and variety of birds and butterflies, including pileated woodpeckers (photo above) cardinals, blue jays, red-bellied woodpeckers, malachites, daggerwings, monarchs and swallowtails. The trails are fairly easy walking.

Tree Tops provides plenty of parking, drinking water and restrooms. There is a $1.50 per person entrance fee on weekends and holidays; check the website for hours.