
Old Palm Golf Club is the premier private Club community in the Palm Beaches, and the lifestyle so extraordinary that itâs sometimes hard to imagine that the entire county was once pure wilderness. However, you can still easily get a glimpse into the natural side of Old Florida at nearby Riverbend Park, just north of Old Palm on Indiantown Road. The park sprawls over more than 680 acres of forests and waterways connected by miles of trails for walking, biking and horseback riding. During the past three decades, most of the invasive species have been removed, native plants have become re-established, and the landscape looks much like it did hundreds of years ago. Landmarks within the park include a historical farmstead built with lumber cut onsite at the vintage sawmill, a Seminole village, and numerous chickee huts thatched with palm fronds. The site of two conflicts during the second Seminole Wars in 1838 has also been preserved. For its dedicated restoration efforts, Riverbend Park recently won a prestigious environmental and conservation award. One of the best ways to experience this natural wonderland is by canoe or kayak, which can be rented at the park. Paddling down the serene Loxahatchee River, past towering centuries-old cypress trees, is a wonderful way to enjoy a leisurely afternoon outdoors. Thereâs no telling what you may see along the way as the native wildlife includes turtles, raccoons, deer, osprey and even bald eagles. Best of all, much of the river is in the shade, so itâs always cool and comfortable.