Best Parks and Walks in Delray
Five easy outdoor moves in Delray: wetlands boardwalk, quieter beach, all-purpose lake park, downtown waterfront, and a shaded natural area.
Go when you want the walk to feel like you left town without actually leaving Delray. The official DEP page describes a three-quarter-mile boardwalk through a 50-acre constructed wetland, with more than 178 bird species spotted there. It is the strongest nature walk on this list.
- Best when: birds, boardwalk, and quiet are the point
- Address: 13270 Jog Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446
- Hours listed: sunrise to 6pm, depending on season
- Website: https://floridadep.gov/water/domestic-wastewater/content/domestic-wastewater-wetlands-program-wakodahatchee-wetlands
Go when you want the beach, but not the main-beach scene. The city page says Atlantic Dunes sits one block north of Linton on A1A, with a boardwalk, nature trail, metered parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and lifeguards from 9am to 5pm. It is the shaded beach-park pick.
- Best when: you want a quieter beach walk with facilities
- Address: 1605 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33483
- Hours listed: park 8am-dusk; lifeguards 9am-5pm
- Website: https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/44/194
Go when you need room: kids, dogs, bikes, kayaks, fishing, or a longer loop. Palm Beach County lists Lake Ida West at 148.33 acres including lake acreage, with a two-mile walking path, two-mile bicycle path, boat ramps, canoe/kayak access, dog park, fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic areas, and restrooms.
- Best when: you want the all-purpose park day
- Address: 1455 Lake Ida Road, Delray Beach, FL 33444
- Hours listed: sunrise-sunset
- Website: https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/locations/lake-ida-west.aspx
Go when you are already downtown and want a short waterfront reset. The city page lists Veterans Park at 802 NE 1st Street with paved paths, a gazebo, playground, picnic tables, grill, restrooms, lawn bowling courts, shuffleboard courts, and metered parking. It is the post-brunch or pre-dinner stroll.
- Best when: you want a quick downtown waterfront walk
- Address: 802 NE 1st St., Delray Beach, FL 33483
- Hours listed: park 8am-dusk
- Website: https://www.delraybeachfl.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/120/
Go when you want shade and a short walk, not a whole outing. Palm Beach County describes Delray Oaks as a 25-acre natural area with live oak, cabbage palm, strangler fig, resident and migratory birds, a paved Live Oak Trail, a sandy Beautyberry Trail, and an observation platform over a strand swamp.
- Best when: you want a quick shaded nature reset
- Address: 2021 SW 29th Street, Delray Beach, FL 33445
- Hours listed: sunrise-sunset, 365 days a year
- Website: https://discover.pbcgov.org/erm/NaturalAreas/Delray-Oaks.aspx