Leisure Time Leisure Time (November 2018-April 2019) | Page 8

MCCARTY
RANCH
PRESERVE
GETTING OUTDOORS
M cCarty Ranch Preserve is Port St.
Lucie’s place to escape, relax and forget
about it all. This hidden gem of natural
beauty has 3,100 acres of old-Florida
habitats just waiting for you to explore,
and even spend the night under the
stars.
McCarty Ranch was purchased by
the City in 2012, which annexed it
in 2013 to use for water storage and
treatment to help meet the City’s
water demands long into the future.
In 2014, the property was also opened
as an environmentally-friendly passive
recreation area. In 2017, the city
opened 13 primitive camping sites at
the preserve, and six primitive RV camp
sites.
Named after the prominent McCarty
family, C.T. McCarty settled in Port
St. Lucie in the 1880’s. C.T. was a
pineapple and citrus farmer and an
attorney whose legacy continued as
the family also became cattle farmers.
C.T.’s grandson, Dan McCarty, became
the 31st Governor of Florida in 1953.
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If you are looking for a place to
commune with nature or to connect
with family and friends, come out and
enjoy the delightful land and water
recreational opportunities at McCarty
Ranch. Meander along lovely scenic
trails on foot, on a bicycle or via
horseback. There’s even an 18-hole
disc golf course if you are in the mood
for some friendly competition or just
another way to unwind. Water activities
at McCarty can be experienced on
expansive 300 acres of lake systems.
Enjoy great “catch and release” fishing,
take a paddle out in your canoe or
kayak your way through this beautiful
native environment and get lost in your
surroundings.