Canoes may be rented at the park entrance for short trips on the lagoon. Wading birds, hawks, ducks, turtles, and other wildlife can be seen. Fishing is only permitted in the Intracoastal Waterway. Small sections of mangroves remain along the west side of the park, providing habitat for several species of herons and other shoreline animals. Glimpses of raccoons, gray squirrels, marsh rabbits, opossums or various non-poisonous snakes are common.
Butterflies are abundant.
Several endangered and threatened animals and plants make the park their home including the gopher tortoise, eastern indigo snake and the golden leather fern. Non-native plants, such as Australian pine and Brazilian pepper, are being removed from the park. These exotics, introduced as ornamentals earlier this century, displace the native plants and animals. A self-guided trail will introduce you to many of the park's exotic plants. The park may also be explored by bicycle on the scenic park road or on foot along the 1.7-mile exercise course.