GRASSY WATERS PRESERVE
The Florida Everglades is closer than one might think. This habitat accounts for nearly half of the landmass of the City of West Palm Beach, known as Grassy Waters Preserve (GWP). GWP also serves as your community conservation center. GWP offers unique educational and guided recreational opportunities on the edge of the vast, 20-square-mile wetlands resource. The preserve was historically the headwaters of the Everglades system. It is the City of West Palm Beach’s Water Catchment Area.

Managed by the City of West Palm Beach Public Utilities Department, GWP provides fresh drinking water to over 130,000 people in West Palm Beach, the Town of Palm Beach, Town of South Palm Beach, and surrounding areas. The preserve includes nature center pavilions, meandering boardwalk trails, hiking, canoeing, programs, entertainment, and more!

Included in GWP’s educational programs is Apoxee Park. Apoxee Park located to the southeast of GWP is a natural water reclamation area that will provide an average of eight million gallons of water per day. Apoxee, which means “Beyond Tomorrow” in the Miccosukee language, represents one of a series of planned parks within the region’s urban wilderness parks system, set aside for preservation and public enjoyment.

The City designed GWP with a special vision: to encourage water conservation through enjoyable, nature-based education and creative activities for all ages!

Grassy Waters offers unique educational and recreational opportunities on the edge of a vast, 20-square-mile native Florida wetlands wildlife sanctuary. Historically part of the Florida Everglades system, Grassy Waters Preserve today is the City of West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area. The preserve includes nature center pavilions, meandering boardwalk trails, hiking, canoeing, programs, entertainment, and more!

Location:
South Side: Charles W. Bingham Wilderness Pavilion
8264 Northlake Blvd.
West Palm Beach, Florida 33412,
Phone (561) 804-4985
Email: grassywaters@earthlink.net

North Side: Everglades Pavilion
8537 Northlake Blvd.,
West Palm Beach, Florida 33412
Phone (561) 804-4980

Preserve Hours of Operation:
Monday - Saturday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am - Dusk
Sunday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Early Hours: Open at dawn on October 19, November 16, December 21
(Nature Center Building closed Monday; Preserve Open)

Center Staff:
Campus Manager: Penni Redford
Nature Program Coordinators: Joyce Thomasson, Sarah Franklin, Teri Jabour and Sam Dorfman

Click here for Map and Directions