Tucked gently between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, just off A1A, lies one of South Florida’s most peaceful treasures: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. For those of us who know it well, it is more than a park — it is a sanctuary. For first-time visitors, it feels like discovering a secret garden hidden in plain sight.
Long before Fort Lauderdale’s skyline began to shimmer, this land belonged to Chicago attorney Hugh Taylor Birch, who purchased it in the late 1800s as his winter retreat. He eventually gifted the property to the state of Florida in 1941. In its early days, the Florida East Coast Railway once passed through this very stretch of land. Imagine steam engines rolling beneath what is now a cathedral of sea grapes, palms, and banyans. Today, the only sound that moves through the trees is the wind and the distant rhythm of waves.
Entering from the ocean side feels like crossing an invisible threshold. The moment you step beneath the canopy, the temperature softens, the sunlight filters through emerald leaves, and your pace naturally slows. A modest entry fee opens the way to something priceless — peace. Just beyond the entrance, a rustic café welcomes you with light fare and refreshing drinks, even cocktails if the moment calls for it. It is casual, unpretentious, and perfectly placed.
Whether you walk, bike, or glide along the circular park road, the experience is meditative. The loop winds through botanical gardens, butterfly-friendly habitats, and quiet freshwater lagoons that shimmer like mirrors beneath the sky. The air carries the scent of salt and greenery. The Atlantic breeze nudges gently at your back, and if you pause, you can hear the ocean breathing just across the street.
On the Intracoastal side, picnic tables line the water like front-row seats to a moving postcard. Yachts and sailboats drift by, sunlight dancing on polished hulls. Pack a simple lunch. Share it with a partner, a dear friend, family, or simply yourself. Sit beneath the shade and let conversation — or comfortable silence — flow as easily as the tide.
For visitors, the park is also wonderfully practical. It offers convenient parking for beachgoers directly across A1A. Spend your morning cycling beneath the trees, your afternoon with your toes in the sand, and return at sunset to watch the sky soften over the Intracoastal.
In a city known for nightlife, boating, and bright lights, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park reminds us that the greatest luxury is simplicity — fresh air, shade, water, and time. I find myself there several days a week, enjoying a few business calls, writing my columns, letting the stillness clear my mind. Creativity flows differently under these trees for me. The park doesn’t demand anything from you. It simply invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and truly enjoy.
Bobby Blair is an LGBTQ media pioneer and leader known for his philanthropic work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. A Florida native, he lives in Fort Lauderdale with his longtime partner, Brian Neal. Blair was inducted into the GLBT Hall of Fame in 2015.
