Walk from the beach into one of Fort Lauderdale's favorite tranquil parks, The Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. This immediate getaway is a 180-acre park that lies on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Inland Waterway. Popular for its peaceful beaches and swimming, salt water fishing, and surfing on the north shore. The area includes freshwater lagoons, mangrove swamps, and a hardwood coastal hammock. The park also boasts a nature walk, an exercise course, canoe rentals, picnic areas, and a concession stand. Take a stroll and pause to watch a parade of boats as they pass by on the waterway. The Terramar Visitor Center is unmanned, but visitors can request a ranger-guided tour of the beach hammock nature trail.