Daisy Bragg

Discovering the Natural Beauty of Vero Beach, FL

What is there to do in Vero Beach, Florida?

Well, the beach… but that’s it pretty much it, or so they say. The locals like to call the town “Zero Vero,” and they’ve got a point– this isn’t Miami or West Palm.

While Vero Beach can’t compete with night life of Miami, it can provide a variety of nature reserves, parks, and beautiful views.

Located along the Atlantic Ocean, with access to the Indian River Lagoon, Vero Beach has officially been nicknamed “The Gateway to the Tropics.” Everywhere you go, tropical palms and hibiscus are present, along with overhanging live oaks and pine trees.

With this in perspective, it seems like Vero might have more than “Zero” to offer.

While most people are drawn to the white sand beaches, not everyone is a “beach person.” Some prefer the forest trails and wildlife than the surf and sand.

It might surprise the everyday local to find out that there are nature paths hidden all around Vero Beach, but we are here to discover them and find where the beauty of Vero Beach is hiding.

How old is Vero Beach and how has it changed?

With humble beginnings in 1919 and only 71 residents to its name, Vero Beach has grown to almost 17,600 residents today. Wouldn’t that mean more development and less nature?

Some would assume that, but when talking to Stan Boling, the former director of the Urban Planning committee, he said, “One thing I think is positive is that there has been a lot of effort to use local, state, federal and private tax money to preserve and conserve a lot of properties in the county, which is still going on today.”

Stan Boling, a Vero Beach resident since 1984, has seen the population of Vero Beach almost triple in size. Part of his job was planning out how to use the land by factoring in economic, environmental, and social issues to get the most benefit for the most people.

He added, “… So even though there is more development and less natural land out there, there is actually more of it available for the public to hike or kayake through and for the public to enjoy.”

Boling mentioned two of his favorite places for enjoying nature in Vero Beach:

• Osprey Acres — for its easy access, short route, and seemingly remote wilderness feel, despite being in the middle of town. It is perfect for bird watching and taking walks through the pines.
• The Jungle Trail— for its 7 mile north to south path along the lagoon, overgrown by trees for shade and many detours and hidden paths along the way, perfect for biking to see wildlife and waterways among the trees.

When asked why he loves nature, specifically in Vero Beach, Boling replied, “It’s rewarding knowing the background of how Vero Beach is like it is today. Mostly, I love being out in nature because God’s such a beautiful designer. He likes us to be in a ‘garden’ type of setting where we get to do some of the work along with him. For me, it’s something God and I get to experience together, that’s just a beautiful part of the relationship.”

Nature’s Invitation to Slow Down

Even in the small town of Vero Beach, where bad traffic makes Miami traffic look like a breeze, the busyness and hustle are everywhere you look. People drive from place to place, rarely stopping to appreciate and soak in the beauty around them.

When talking to Caleb Salvatore, 26, third generation Vero Beach native and former Biological Science Technician with the USDA, he said, “Nature is a break from the buzz and hustle of the human world, a place to come back, to be with my thoughts. Being in nature is extremely healthy with lots of research behind it. It is a good reset and is very relaxing, being around the calming green and trees.”

Salvatore revealed some of his favorite nature spots in Vero Beach, ones only a true local like himself would know:

• Lagoon Green Way – fantastic walking trails filled will untouched natural ecosystems and rich forest and undergrowth. It is well maintained and ends up with a great view of the lagoon.
• Young’s Park – offers one of the most scenic views in Vero Beach, with an almost 360-degree view of the lagoon’s edge. It is prime place to spot dolphins and bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the sunset.
• Jacoby Park—an often-overlooked park that has a great playground, a huge banyan tree for climbing, and benches.
• Troy Moody Park – Salvatore’s first pick because of its balance of green space and playground, with many trees for shade and sidewalks for getting his steps in.
• Tracking Station Beach Park – Salvatore’s favorite beach spot, one that is unknown to most locals. A place where the beach and woods meet for a magical getaway.

This is but a taste of the hidden beauty of Vero Beach. And they are free and accessible year round.

However, taking a nature walk or carving out a few hours for a jungle bike ride just isn’t in the schedule for most people. It’s hard to slow down.

When asked how being in nature impacts him, Boling said, “I get to enjoy it but I can’t control it. I have to slow down because I don’t really know how long it will take and it’s probably good for me to let go of control. To get out there and do it.”

After a pause, he added, “It’s always good to give yourself margin. Margin just means that you’re not trying to control your entire agenda, at least for me that’s what it’s like.”

Yes, we are busy people with places to be and people to see. But what if we made these nature spots our next destination and we invited our favorite people to join us?

The invitation to slow down in nature and find the hidden beauty is out there for anyone. But don’t let this tell you how it is– everyone’s experiences are their own. Next time you crave a taste for the outdoors, act on it.

Seize the day.

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