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PARKS
 Spruce Creek Park is a beautiful 1, 637 acre nature preserve located
at 6250 South Ridgewood Avenue, Port Orange with the park’s entrance
on US-1, about 5 miles north of intersection State Road 44 and US-1.
Shaded underneath giant pine trees is a children's playground, picnic
tables, horseshoe pits, a tent only campground, restrooms, fishing
dock and a canoe launch that is best used during low tide due to mud.
Spruce Creek Park also has exentive natural pathways that wind along the creek.
 The nature trails begin with a 536-foot boardwalk that spans more
than three miles. At the end of this tranquil trek is a 15-foot observation
tower with a panoramic view of the diverse natural wetland habitats of
Spruce Creek. Because Spruce Creek is a pristine waterway, this stream
is home to a multitude of species including the Atlantic salt marsh snake,
crab, shrimp, alligators and various types of fish. Due to the creek’s rich
vegetation many nesting birds can be observed throughout the preserve
such as the Florida Sandhill Crane, the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron,
Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers and the endangered Wood Stork.
Spruce Creek is unique because it is a natural black water stream and
one of a few unspoiled channels in the state. Winding its way towards
the coast, Spruce Creek transforms from a freshwater swamp to a
freshwater marsh, then to saltwater marsh and finally to a mangrove
wetland. Spruce Creek is designated as an official State Canoe Trail
because of its undisturbed habitats. More than 2,000 acres of Spruce
Creek are protected as natural resources due to aggressive preservation efforts.
Historically, Spruce Creek was inhabited by the Timucua Native Americans.
This vast tribe left behind several artifacts and mountainous navigational markings
known as shell mounds, or piles of mollusk shells. The Spruce Creek Mound is one
of largest, oldest shell pilings in Florida and is located on a high bluff along the creek.
It is believed that the Timucua Native Americans considered this area to be sacred
and performed ceremonies and political functions at Spruce Creek Mound.
The beloved All Children’s Park can be found at 5959 S. Spruce Creek Road, Port Orange.
The 40 acre recreational facility was built specifically
designed so it would include all children, including those with disabilities.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset.
On the North corner of the All Children’s Park is the Seemor Memorial Dog Park.
With 48,400 square feet, it is the only park within the community that is exclusively
for dogs. This unique play place has separate areas for small dog (under 30 lbs.)
and large dog (over 30 lbs.). There are water fountains for dog owners and dogs,
benches, and a wash station.
Just past the picnic tables and restrooms is a short nature trail along the tree-lined
boardwalk that connects All Children’s Park to the Spruce Creek Recreational Facility.
This sports complex consists of two 300 square foot lighted baseball fields, an
outdoor basketball court, six well lit tennis courts, a concession stand with
restrooms and a small playground with monkey bars. Home to the Port Orange
City softball/baseball program, men’s, women’s, boy’s and girl’s softball games
are played within this active sports complex. Fields are open to the public during
non game hours from sunrise to 11:00 pm.
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