John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park | |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area) | |
Location | Palm Beach County, Florida, USA |
Nearest city | North Palm Beach, Florida |
Coordinates | |
Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, named for John D. MacArthur who donated the land for its construction in the 1970s, is located near North Palm Beach, Florida. The park was first opened to the public in 1989. It covers 225 acres (0.9 km²) on land, with an additional 535 acres (2.2 km²) of submerged lands within its boundaries, including a lake crossed by a 1,600-foot (490 m) boardwalk, and Munyon Island, an offshore wilderness that was home to a lavish hotel at the turn of the Twentieth century. The hotel burned to the ground in 1915. Hiking trails and pavilions are open for public use on the island.
MacArthur Beach is widely known as a nesting ground for rare sea turtles, including the endangered loggerhead and, occasionally, the exceedingly rare leatherback. In addition to state funds and gate fees, the park receives various kinds of community support through a local organization known as "Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park".
[edit] External links
- John D. MacArthur Beach State Park at Florida State Parks
- Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park
- John D. MacArthur Beach State Park at Absolutely Florida
- John D. MacArthur Beach State Park at Wildernet