In Florida, a license is required for freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, and hunting. To protect our natural resources, there are legal limits on the number and size of some saltwater and freshwater fish you might catch. This also applies to game you might take. Taking of shellfish is prohibited in Martin County. There is a two-day lobster season the last weekend of July for sport-divers only with a limit of 6 lobsters per diver. Regular lobster season is August 6 through March 31. Limits are 6 per diver or 24 for boat, whichever is greater. The Florida Marine Patrol regulates the local waters and underwater. Persons 65 years of age and older, or under 16, may hunt and fish free of charge. Florida saltwater fishing, Florida residents do not require a license if fishing from land or a structure fixed to the land. Licenses and information for both fishing and hunting may be obtained at any local bait shop or the Tax Collector's Office, Martin County Courthouse. Contact: (772) 288-5595

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The Martin County Parks and Recreation Department (2400 SE Monterey Rd., 219-4955) invites you to utilize the parks. There are many recreational opportunities for family and friends to enjoy. The parks in the Palm City area include:

Halpatiokee Regional Park: located on Lost River Rd. at Hwy. 76 and I95. The 180 acre park is situated along the banks of the South Fork of the St. Lucie River and consists of 5 football / soccer fields, 5 softball / baseball fields, 10 tennis courts, a playground, covered skating rink and miles of trails. The park is also the home of South River Outfitters Canoe and Kayak Livery Serivce. For more information on the regional park contact the Parks and Recreation Dept. at 221-1418.

Leighton Park: located at the base of the Palm City Bridge, on the St. Lucie River. It offers a playground, picnic tables, fishing pier, boat ramps, grills, scenic walking path, and parking. It is also the home of the Palm City Recreation Center. The Palm City Recreation Center (2701 SW Cornell St. phone: 219-4955) is a 3500 square foot air conditioned facility used as a program room and for meetings.

Jock Leighton Park: located at 3755 SW Mapp Road in Palm City. Jock Leighton Park in Palm City has fields for soccer, football and lacrosse. There is also a full skate park, playground and several pavillions. The new Jock Leighton Park was built in 2004 and 2005 through a community effort. The fields are constantly busy with a variety of activities. The Palm City Dolphins - a youth football league - practices and plays games in the park.
Lacrosse
In 2008 the Martin County Pioneer Lacrosse league was created to promote youth lacrosse. There are practices several nights a week and games on Saturday.
Skate Park
The skate park at Jock Leighton has several ramps for skate boarders of all levels. There is a half-pipe for more experienced skaters. To use the skate park, you must pay a $10 annual fee ($20 for non-residents) and a helmet and pads are required.

Palm City Park: located at 2050 SW Mapp Rd., has sidewalk access, restrooms, four playgrounds, picnic tables, shelters, an observation tower, nature trail, 4 softball/baseball fields, a soccer/football field, 2 tennis courts, 4 racquetball courts, a basketball court, horseshoes, and a small room for programs & meetings.

Hidden Oaks Middle School: located at 2801 SW Martin Highway, offers a 1/6 mile track, soccer/football field, 2 baseball/softball fields, 2 basketball courts.

Tropical Farms Park: located at Tropical Farms Ave. and Locks Road, has a playground, picnic tables, shelter, softball/baseball field and 2 racquetball courts.

Pendarvis Cove Park: located at 1000 SW Chapman Way, offers 6 shelters with grills, a playground and a sailboat launch area. If you have any questions, please call the Palm City Recreation Coordinator at 219-4955.


We have the perfect climate and opportunity for you to experience almost every sport imaginable. Salt and fresh water fishing is available for those who love to catch a variety of game fish. Martin County also boasts more then twenty-five golf courses; a golfer's haven. There is also a public boat slip at the foot of the Palm City Bridge to entice the boat enthusiasts of our area. We have a community softball league and a newly designed park to play or just to relax in. Activities in the park facilities include: The Martin County Chess Club, Taoist Tai Chi, Karate, Scrapbooking, Youth in-line Hockey, Adult pickup Hockey, St. Lucie Sailing Club, Florida Trails Association, Treasure Coast Shell Club, Deborah Bingo and many more. There are children and teen programs available as well, with something of interest for almost every type of child. There is youth football, baseball and soccer during the year. Call Palm City Community Center (772) 219-4955 for time and days of activities.

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Indian River Plantation Resort & Marina - 555 NE Ocean Blvd. Hutchinson Island, Stuart. 77 docks, pumpout station, repairs, marine store, boat rentals, gas and diesel, facilities. Monitors channel 16. (772) 225-3700

Martin County Marina - 1400 SW Chapman Way, Palm City. Dry storage (300) and slips, repairs, and marine store, gas and diesel, some overnight docks available, showers, and restrooms. Monitors Channel 5. (772) 221-8198

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Stuart, across the river from Palm City, offers a myriad of things to do and experience. The Lyric Theater, located in historic downtown Stuart, is host to plays, musicals, and also showcases big name talent. In a smaller setting, we have The Barn Theater, which produces four plays annually with many local talents. If you are interested in "catching a flick", there are over twenty movie theaters in Martin County to serve you. An evening on the town is always an experience, from the simple joy of miniature golf to the majesty of riding down the St. Lucie River in a yacht. Whether you come by car or boat, historic downtown Stuart has something to offer everyone. Located along the St. Lucie River, the recently restored downtown area offers numerous eating establishments, many of which provide live entertainment. Stroll along Osceola Street and you will find everything from fine art to great gifts. Many festivals, art shows and activities are held in downtown Stuart throughout the year.

Forty-five minutes to the south, in West Palm Beach, we have the beautiful Raymond F. Kravis Center For The Performing Arts. Built in 1992, the Center has hosted such great entertainers such as Tony Bennett and Liza Minnelli and famous musicals including "The Sound Of Music", "The King and I", "Riverdance" and "Stomp". Jonathan Dickinson State Park, the second largest state park in Florida, is near the southern part of the county. It is an 11,500 acre wilderness preserve with camping, picnicking, hiking, canoeing and other nature-based recreation. The Loxahatchee River, Florida's only contribution to the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System, winds its way for eleven miles through the Park. The Loxahatchee Queen, a 44 seat tour boat, makes several trips a day up the river to the Trapper Nelson Interpretive Site, where Park Rangers explain the unique lifestyle of Trapper Nelson, the "Wildman of the Loxahatchee". Rental cabins, rental canoes, an observation tower, hiking trails and more await the visitor to Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

There are also several museums in our area. The Elliott Museum displays classic automobiles, toy collections, model train inventions from the past and one of the finest collection of autographed memorabilia of Baseball Hall of Fame members. The Gilbert's Bar House and Refuge Museum, built in 1875 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is host to sea turtles and the story of the early U.S. Life-Saving Service. The Keepers House is furnished with historic furnishings of the 1890' s . The Environmental Studies Center brings you face to face with aquatic and marine life.

We are also a superb location for a day trip to most of Florida's theme parks, with Lion Country Safari located in West Palm Beach. Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios and the Kennedy Space Center are only a two hour drive up the Florida Turnpike in Orlando. With so much to see and do, the best information can be received through the following contacts: The Palm City Chamber of Commerce, (772) 286-8121; Martin County Council for the Arts, (772) 287-6676; Barn Theater, (772) 287-4884; Lyric Theater, (772) 220-1942.

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Many of the nation's leading retailers plus numerous boutiques and specialty stores offer a wide spectrum of choices to Martin County shoppers. Hundreds of stores and restaurants service the area and here are a few.

Martin Downs Village Center and Shops
Martin Downs Blvd.
Palm City, Florida

Town Center at Martin Downs
Martin Downs Blvd. (Publix)
Palm City, Florida

Treasure Coast Square
3174 N Federal Highway
Jensen Beach, Florida
(772) 692-0100

The mall's anchor stores are Macy's, Dillards, Sears, and J.C. Penny. Surrounding the anchors are 106 smaller shops, boutiques, and a food court. There is also a brand new 18-screen, stadium seating movie theater.

Regency Square
2440 SE Federal Highway
Stuart, Florida

Regency Square has many specialty shops, boutiques, 3 full service restaurants and 8 movie theaters.

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BJ's Sports Bar & Grill
23 SW Monterey Road 1
Stuart, FL, 34994
772-221-7505
Patel, Pinakin

Bono's Bar - B - Q & Grill
2290 SE Federal Highway 1
Stuart, FL, 34994
772-283-0078
Stiburek, Margie

Goodfella's Bagels & Deli
4189 SW High Meadow Avenue 1
Palm City, FL, 34990
772-223-3483
Stellato, Joe

La Borgata Ristorante
3227 Mapp Road 1
Palm City, FL, 34990
772-288-2121
Corticchia, Anthony

Manero's Restaurant
2851 SW High Meadow Avenue 1
Palm City, FL, 34990
(772)220-3011
Mahoney, Jay

Palm City Grill
3208 SW Martin Downs Blvd. 1
Palm City, FL, 34990
(772)220-4745
Schilling, Ed

Panera Bread
2894 SW Town Center Way 1
Palm City, FL, 34990
321-288-6543
King, Heather

Roma Pizza, Subs & Pasta
978 SW Martin Downs Blvd. 1
Palm City, FL, 34990
(772)221-8685
Brancaccio, Pat

Ruby Tuesday
3290 SW Martin Downs Blvd. 1
Palm City, FL, 34990
(772)463-5302
Hartman, Jen

Rusano's Express Pizza
2946 SW Mapp Road 1
Palm City, FL, 34990
772-220-3329
Romano, Frank

Santa Fe Cafe
300 S Federal Highway 1
Stuart, FL, 34994
772-600-7240
Andrus, Keely

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BEST WESTERN DOWNTOWN STUART
1209 S Federal Highway
Stuart, FL 34994
P: (772) 287-6200
F: (772) 600-2002
www.bestwesternstuart.com

COURTYARD MARRIOTT
10978 S Ocean Drive
Jensen Beach, FL 34957
P: (772) 229-1000
F: (772) 229-0253
www.CourtyardHutchinsonIsland.com

HOLIDAY INN
10120 South Federal Highway
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
P: (772) 337-2200
F: (772) 335-7872
www.HolidayInn.com/PortStLucieFL

MAINSTAY SUITES AT PGA VILLAGE
8501 Champions Way
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
P: (772) 460-8882
F: (772) 460-8301
http://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-port_st_lucie-florida-FL156

MONTEREY INN & MARINA
300 SW Monterey Road
Stuart, FL 34994
P: (772) 283-3500
F: (772) 288-6907
www.montereyinnandmarina.com

RAMADA INN STUART
1200 SE Federal Highway
Stuart, FL 34994
P: (772) 287-6900
F: (772) 286-8188
www.ramada-stuart.com

RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT
1920 SW Fountainview Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
P: (772) 344-7814
F: (772) 344-7815

SOUTH PALM SUITES
1401 S Federal Highway
Lake Worth, FL 33460
P: (877) 588-5529
F: (561) 588-9085
www.southpalmsuites.com

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