John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Encyclopedia
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, named for John D. MacArthur
who donated the land for its construction in the 1970s, is located between Riviera Beach, Florida
and North Palm Beach, Florida
. The park was first opened to the public in 1989. It covers 225 acre (0.9105435 km²) on land, with an additional 535 acres (2.2 km²) of submerged lands within its boundaries, including a lake crossed by a 1600 feet (487.7 m) boardwalk
, and Munyon Island
(named after Dr. James Munyon), an offshore wilderness
that was home to a lavish hotel, Hygeia Hotel, at the turn of the Twentieth century
. The hotel burned to the ground in 1915. Hiking trails and pavilions are open for public use on the island. The island is accessible only by kayak
or boat. The area was once unofficially a clothing-optional beach (Walt Disney
skinny dipped there in the 1960s).
One section of the beach was called Air Force Beach from the early 1940s to 1956 because it was used by Palm Beach Air Force Base
personnel.
MacArthur Beach is widely known as a nesting ground for rare sea turtle
s, including the endangered
loggerhead
and, occasionally, the exceedingly rare leatherback. Many endangered species of birds also visit the park, namely the Peregrine falcon
, the Wood Stork
, and the Least Tern. In addition to state funds and gate fees, the park receives various kinds of community support through a local organization known as "Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park".
The William T. Kirby Nature Center features exhibits about the park's natural history, and includes live animal exhibits.
John D. MacArthur
John Donald MacArthur was an American businessman and philanthropist who established the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, benefactor in the MacArthur Fellowships.-Early life:...
who donated the land for its construction in the 1970s, is located between Riviera Beach, Florida
Riviera Beach, Florida
Riviera Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, U.S.A. which was incorporated September 29, 1922. Because of where its eastern boundary lies, it is also the easternmost municipality in the South Florida metropolitan area. The population was 29,884 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the...
and North Palm Beach, Florida
North Palm Beach, Florida
North Palm Beach is an incorporated village in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The population was 12,064 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 12,645...
. The park was first opened to the public in 1989. It covers 225 acre (0.9105435 km²) on land, with an additional 535 acres (2.2 km²) of submerged lands within its boundaries, including a lake crossed by a 1600 feet (487.7 m) boardwalk
Boardwalk
A boardwalk, in the conventional sense, is a wooden walkway for pedestrians and sometimes vehicles, often found along beaches, but they are also common as paths through wetlands, coastal dunes, and other sensitive environments....
, and Munyon Island
Munyon Island
Munyon Island is located in the Lake Worth Lagoon Estuary in North Palm Beach, Florida. It is part of John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.-History:Munyon Island was originally called Nuctsachoo by the Seminoles, which means Pelican Island...
(named after Dr. James Munyon), an offshore wilderness
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
that was home to a lavish hotel, Hygeia Hotel, at the turn of the Twentieth century
Fin de siècle
Fin de siècle is French for "end of the century". The term sometimes encompasses both the closing and onset of an era, as it was felt to be a period of degeneration, but at the same time a period of hope for a new beginning...
. The hotel burned to the ground in 1915. Hiking trails and pavilions are open for public use on the island. The island is accessible only by kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
or boat. The area was once unofficially a clothing-optional beach (Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
skinny dipped there in the 1960s).
One section of the beach was called Air Force Beach from the early 1940s to 1956 because it was used by Palm Beach Air Force Base
Palm Beach Air Force Base
Palm Beach Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located in Palm Beach County, just west of West Palm Beach, Florida. During its operational use by the military, its major mission was air transport and as a training base...
personnel.
MacArthur Beach is widely known as a nesting ground for rare sea turtle
Sea turtle
Sea turtles are marine reptiles that inhabit all of the world's oceans except the Arctic.-Distribution:...
s, including the endangered
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
loggerhead
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The loggerhead sea turtle , or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to have been discovered...
and, occasionally, the exceedingly rare leatherback. Many endangered species of birds also visit the park, namely the Peregrine falcon
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
, the Wood Stork
Wood Stork
The Wood Stork is a large American wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It was formerly called the "Wood Ibis", though it is not really an ibis.-Appearance:...
, and the Least Tern. In addition to state funds and gate fees, the park receives various kinds of community support through a local organization known as "Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park".
The William T. Kirby Nature Center features exhibits about the park's natural history, and includes live animal exhibits.