The great outdoors are considered great for a reason. Whether you enjoy the outdoors or just need a place to sit and relax, there are tons of nature spots in and around NSU to explore and enjoy.
NSU’s own backyard
Healing & Medicinal Garden
Located behind the Parker building and just west of the Alvin Sherman Library, NSU’s Healing & Medicinal Garden is a great place to take a break between classes and not have to venture off campus. Created by the NSU College of Pharmacy, this garden is home to a 66-foot therapeutic stone-studded pathway called the Reflexology Pathway, which is based on the ancient Eastern study of healing oneself through the stimulation of various pressure points on the feet. The Healing & Medicinal Garden is also home to an array of plants, all of which have medicinal qualities. There’s also a gazebo and some outdoor seating for you to journal, do homework or do some reading.
Off-campus parks
Tree Tops Park
3900 SW 100th Ave
Davie, FL 33328
A short drive from NSU on Nob Hill is Tree Tops Park, a large park perfect for spending the afternoon at. With more than 140 acres of ancient live oaks, tropical hammocks and wetlands, this park has nature trails, playgrounds, an equestrian center and even an observation tower. If you’re looking for parks with wildlife, Tree Tops is also home to an abundance of turtles, which you can spot in the decked marshes. It is a great place to have a picnic, do seasonal paddle boating, explore nature and relax or hang out with friends. One of the best parts of Tree Tops Park is that it has free admission on weekdays, making it a go-to spot to explore before or after your classes. If you’ve got a busy schedule and can only make time to check out Tree Tops on the weekend, don’t worry. Weekend admission is only $1.50 per person.
Vista View Park
4001 SW 142nd Ave
Davie, FL 33330
A little further down Griffin Road, you will find Vista View Park, a good spot to catch beautiful sunsets. Once being a garbage dump, View View Park is now a beautiful park with hills that stand at 65 feet above sea level. The park’s hilltops are the highest man-made elevation in Broward county and give you a perfect view of Davie. With over 270 acres of land to explore, Vista View Park is great for going on runs and exercising, having picnics or dates and even flying kites, drones or model airplanes. Regardless of how you spend your time here, you’re sure to have a good time while being only a little ways from campus. Like Tree Tops Park, Vista View Park is another affordable spot to spend some time in nature with free admission on weekdays and $1.50 admission per person on weekends.
Topeekeegee Yugnee Park
3300 N Park Rd
Hollywood, FL 33021
Named after the Seminole term for “meeting or gathering place,” Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, or T.Y. Park, may be a bit further from campus, but is a great place to spend an afternoon with friends and family outdoors. This park is great for anyone who enjoys walking around, picnicking or even playing sports. Expanding over 138 acres, T. Y. Park is home to Castaway Island, a swimming lagoon, as well as a campground, two water playgrounds and shelters and gazebos. Here, you can also find a large shaded playground, basketball and tennis courts, a fishing pier and a scenic lake water fountain. The park has a good mix of developed and undeveloped areas that allow attendees to get the best of both worlds: family park vibes and commodities and undisturbed nature spots — and like the previously mentioned off-campus parks, admission is free on weekdays and $1.50 per person on weekends.
With the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders in place, please remember to be a Smart Shark and follow CDC guidelines as well as obey park rules and regulations to contain the spread of COVID-19. If you have questions or concerns, see the CDC website as well as the Broward County Parks website for the parks aforementioned.
