Riverland Preserve

Riverland Preserve is a 5 acre park in the Riverland neighborhood which is located in a SW corner of Fort Lauderdale off Davie Boulevard. The neighborhood is in a beautiful area that has an Old Florida feel with 200 year old oak trees. Many of the homes here were built in the 50's for the returning veterans of WWII who flocked to Florida. Like all Ft. Lauderdale parks Riverland is open every day from 6 AM until 9 PM. The city purchased the land for the park from the Black family in 2017. This land was their private home. Part of the funding to purchase the park came from $750,000 that was put aside by the county when Riverland was annexed into the City of Fort Lauderdale in 2002. When the property was first set for sale it was slated to be divided into subplots for housing development. The neighborhood was concerned about keeping the areas character intact and saving the 400 tropical trees on the property. They petitioned the city to keep the land in its natural state and they agreed to purchase the property and turn it into a park. Riverland is a passive park that still looks like someone's house in the neighborhood. The first time I looked for this park I actually drive by it. The original house still sits on the property along with several outbuildings. Behind the house is the preserve has ancient oak trees, sandal palms, laurel oaks, native wild orchids, slash pine trees, shrubs, banana trees, pink pineapple plants and other native plants. I saw ibis and the trees in this neighborhood are known for being a home to owls. There are no trails but there are benches. This preserve was one of my more interesting Ft. Lauderdale park finds. I love how the neighborhood rallied together to save the ecologically important piece of land. During my visit most of the preserve was flooded due to the heavy rains we recently experienced but I was intrigued by the plants I saw, especially the pink pineapples! and I will be back to explore further next time I am in the area.

Wow. I have never actually been inside the park period my aunt lives right behind the park, so I can see it from her backyard period it seems like a quiet place don't see many people travel to go there. I do see dogs in the park though. So they seem to be dog friendly. But I would call first to make sure to take my word for it.

Nice neighborhood park, used to be a private residence and they pretty much left it as it. There is no infrastructure whatsoever, just grass, trees and plants. Nothing fancy but it’s a nice stroll and a getaway from the never ending concrete jungle.

Small park, nice to sit and read or relax.

Formerly a private home, Riverland Preserve is now a small, peaceful, natural place. Lots of room to walk around, though there aren't really any true paths. Kids always have fun adventuring throughout the park was well.