1830 (and earlier): What is not Deerfield Island was a peninsula bordered by the Hillsboro River and the Spanish River. Prior to the manipulation of the natural waterways by man, most of the western portion was a treeless freshwater marsh. The eastern part of the peninsula contained slash pine.
Deerfield Island Park
| Calendar of Events |
Weather at the Park |
Maps and Directions |
For Your Safety |
Fee Schedule |
Deerfield Island is a fifty-six acre nature-oriented park that offers passive outdoor recreational opportunities and environmental education for everyone. Accessible only by boat, this park is bordered by the Intracoastal Waterway and the Hillsboro and Royal Palm canals. Remnants of a freshwater wetland are evident, although red and white mangroves are now dominant.
This park is a Designated Urban Wilderness Area and the island provides habitat for raccoons, squirrels, and gopher turtles, as well as migratory and indigenous birds.
A free boat shuttle transports park patrons from the Sullivan Park dock to the island on the hour from 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. on weekends only. The last shuttle returning to the mainland departs the island at 4:30pm.
There is a marina with six slips for boats no longer than 25 feet and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The park is handicapped-accessible at high tide only.
Boardwalks & Nature Trails
The island's main trails are the half-mile Coquina Trail, which includes an observation platform overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Mangrove Trail, which includes a boardwalk through a mangrove swamp.
 |
|
 |
Youth Primitive Camping Area
Deerfield Island Park also provides an area set aside for youth primitive camping for nonprofit groups. Reservations and arrangements can be made by calling 954-360-1315.
Picnic Shelter
Deerfield Island Park offers a small picnic shelter for you to host your gathering of friends and family. The shelter can accommodate up to 40 people and has tables, grills, water, tables, electricity, volleyball court, and horseshoe pits. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Quiet Waters Park at (954) 360-1315.
Please review Broward County Parks and Recreation's detailed Facility Rules and Regulations (PDF–139.60 KB) regarding rentals.
Insurance Requirements and Information
Private Events: Private events, such family reunions or birthday parties, for which a vendor will contracted to provide catering, bounce houses, or other services, require the vendor to be an insured, approved vendor with Broward County. Click to view the current Approved Vendor List.
Please review our insurance requirements for additional information and details. This document may also be provided to your insurance provider for clarification and assistance in accurately filing a Certificate of Insurance.
Picnicking & Playground
Uncovered picnic tables with grills are available throughout the island and throughout the park on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge.
The island has a small shaded playground available for public use on weekends.
Fishing is permitted in designated areas.
Changes in State Recreational Fees Include New License Requirement for
Shoreline Anglers
Beginning August 1, 2009, Broward County saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore are now required to purchase a shoreline fishing license, unless they have a regular resident saltwater fishing license. The new license goes on sale July 15.
Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury Division, working in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), is responsible for the sale of the fishing licenses, which are valid for one year from date of issue. They can be purchased at the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room A100, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online at www.broward.org. Click on "Purchase Hunting/Fishing License" under Top Online Services. The cost of the shoreline fishing license is $7.50, plus administrative and handling fees. See Licenses.
EcoAction Days
Volunteers are important to parks, especially when it comes to helping our natural areas clear out the garbage and invasive plants that continually plague our environment.
Volunteers (ages 13 and up)bring their own gloves, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and drinking water to tackle the weeds and trash accumulating.
Volunteers are required to wear closed-toe shoes. Long pants and long sleeves are suggested. All participants must fill out a volunteer registration form prior to participating. Volunteers ages 13-17 must have parent or guardian signature on the registration form. Volunteers under age 13 may participate with parent or guardian. High school students can use these volunteer hours towards community service required hours for graduation.
Workday Volunteer Application (PDF -78KB).
Eco Actions Days are held the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information call 954-360-1315.
Bird Walk
October through April - First Saturday of the Month
Free program, led by Nature Volunteer, Gloria Cashin. Pre-registration is required and can be made by calling Quiet Waters Park at 954-360-1315. Tour is space is limited, so early registration is recommended.
Park History
-
1850: The Federal Swamp Lands Act ceded to the states all swamp and overflowed lands within their borders.
-
1895: The Florida East Coast Canal was completed from Jacksonville to Biscayne Bay (Miami). This canal was 50 feet wide and five feet deep.
-
1904: Napoleon Bonaparte Broward became governor of Florida. His campaign was “Drain the Everglades.” The Florida legislature established the Board of Drainage Commissioners, which secured funds for drainage through taxation.
-
1911: The Hillsboro Canal was completed, connecting Deerfield Beach with Lake Okeechobee.
-
1930: Al Capone attempted to purchase the peninsula.
- 1934: The Florida Inland Navigation District (F.I.N.D) designated the southern portion of the peninsula as Spoils #702. The Army Corps of Engineers used this area for the disposal of dredged material.
-
1935: The Florida East Coast Canal was enlarged to 100 feet wide and eight feet deep and renamed the Intracoastal Waterway.
-
1945: The Intracoastal Waterway was further enlarged to 125 feet wide and 12 feet deep.
-
1961: The Arvida Company, developers of the Royal Palm Yacht and County Club, contracted for the dredging of the Royal Palm Waterway, connecting the Hillsboro Canal with the Intracoastal Waterway. The peninsula became an island for the first time.
-
1965: The Florida Legislature decreed that spoils area should be used for recreational purposes. F.I.N.D turned the island over the Internal Improvement Fund.
-
1970s: The Society for the Preservation of Capone Island recommended that the island be maintained as a bird and wildlife sanctuary, opposing the more intensive uses proposed for the island park.
-
1980: The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division opened Deerfield Island as a passive recreational park and nature study area.
-
1982: Deerfield Island was designated an Urban Wilderness Area.
-
1983: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission declared Deerfield Island an official Gopher Tortoise Preserve.
| Calendar of Events |
Weather at the Park |
Maps and Directions |
For Your Safety |
Fee Schedule |
For more information, contact:
Deerfield Island Park
1720 Deerfield Island Park
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
Phone: Quiet Waters Park 954-360-1315
We also invite you to visit our other Broward County Parks.
|
Documents created in a portable document format (PDF) require PDF reader software. Acrobat Reader is available from Adobe Systems Inc. at no cost. To obtain a copy, visit the 