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Once you park, stroll past a drainage pond, down a
boardwalk to the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Pets are not
allowed, but fishing is. |
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From there, you can wander along the river-side
boardwalk to Veterans Park at Rivergate.
This photo was taken from a tower at end of the small commercial part of
the park area. |
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The businesses that have opened are food based.. |
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Floridians
who lost their lives in Vietnam are memorialized in this dramatic black
monument, a smaller-scale version of the nation's wall in Washington,
D.C. |
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Ceremonies
are held at the area that honors all branches of the service. The lower
flag denotes prisoners of war and those declared missing in action. |
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Three beautiful small parks are nestled together near the center of Port St.
Lucie, Florida, on the eastern shore of the North Fork of the St. Lucie
River.
The most moving is Veterans Memorial Park, the northernmost of the three.
This quiet (except for the passing traffic), meditative site honors those
who have died or been wounded in the service of their country, including
Florida's memorial wall listing those who died in the Vietnam War.
One of the earliest city parks, a favorite with boaters and fishers, is
Veterans Park at Rivergate, with a boat ramp, boardwalk and parking.
These two are on Veterans Memorial Parkway (formerly Midport Road), just
north of Port St. Lucie Boulevard. Between them is a newly completed strip
of shops, which are currently all small, casual restaurants.
The newest and most southern of the three is Tom Hooper Park, named after a
long-time City Council member and vice-mayor. It features an extension of
the lighted boardwalk with a pavilion over the river.
Tom Hooper Park and parking is on SE Rivergate Parkway, which runs behind
the Walgreen's and bank.
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