Long Key Nature Center

At 157 acres, this site is one of the largest of the natural areas currently managed by the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division. The Long Key Nature Center and Natural Area is located in the Town of Davie and found just west off of Flamingo Road between Griffin Road and I-595.

As recently as 100 years ago, this elevated oak hammock was park of a series of islands surrounded by Everglades marshes. Long Key encompasses some of the most significant archaeological, historical, and ecological resources within Broward County. The hammock served as a habitation site within the Everglades by both the ancient Tequesta and the more recent Seminole Indians. This site has been labeled as 'the best preserved archaeological record of 19th century Seminole life in Broward County.'

Typical trees in the hardwood forest include:  live oak, red bay, paradise tree, satin leaf, strangler fig, hackberry, and the occasional cabbage palm and gumbo limbo. The site also has a 14-acre orange grove (a remnant of a once-active citrus industry in the area), recently created wetland marshes - which have become a haven for a variety of wetland birds.  There are also several man-made ponds and canals and a very active bird roost/rookery. Two equestrian trails run through the site in areas known not to be sensitive connecting to the Davie multipurpose trail. 

Wildlife in the area includes: pileated woodpecker, great horned owl, screech owl, osprey, great egret, herons, malachite, bobcats, foxes and queen and zebra longwing butterflies.

Long Key amenities include an 18,000-square foot Nature Center building and nature trails.  The Nature Center building includes an exhibit hall, assembly hall, classroom, theatre and restrooms.