Donald B. Moore Preserve!

Donald B. Moore Preserve!

Formerly named St. Lucie Village Heritage Preserve.
Location: 305 Torpey road, Fort Pierce, FL 34946
Contact Number 772-462-2526

Trail and Disc Golf

This beautiful hammock, located along the Indian River Lagoon, contains some very old Live Oak and Cabbage Palm. Local historians claim this 78-acre site was the location of the 1849 Russell/Barker skirmish, which led to the Third Seminole War. Two short interpretive trails wind through the site.

Nice Boardwalk

Amenities:
Birding & an observation tower with scenic views of the Indian River Lagoon
Hiking Trails
Picnic Tables
Volleyball
Disc Golf
Grill
Historic Interests

Beautiful Hammock!

Two self-guiding interpretive trails. The northern botanical trail identifies much of the flora of the site. The southern trail identifies the historical features of the site including a small homestead, illegal still, turpentine industry and site of the 1849 Seminole skirmish.

Lovely Flowers

Hammock containing several examples of very old Live Oak and Cabbage Palm with some mangrove swamp and bay gall swamp.

Observation Tower

Commonly seen wildlife: Squirrels, alligator, feral hog, or poisonous snake.

Indian River Lagoon

Local historians claim that this site was the location of the 1849 Russell/Barker skirmish with a band of Indians which led to the Third Seminole War. A pamphlet leads visitors to a series of trail markers that describe several events that occurred at the site.

Nice Trail!

This is a very nice preserve and not too busy. I only saw one other person the whole time I was there! This presserve is just south of Indrio Road which can be reached easily from I-95. Just go east and turn right onto U.S. Route 1. It is also just south of D.J. Wilcox Preserve so you visit both preserves the same day!

Parking Area

Donald Booth Moore (1926-2012)

Donald was born in Miami, FL on October 27, 1926. His family moved to Melbourne, FL, and then to Ft. Pierce in 1929, where his father was editor of the local newspaper. He attended local schools until 1942 when he went to National Youth Administration School in Tampa, FL. After returning to Fort Pierce, Donald worked for Backus Boat Yard before joining the Navy. He was trained in Jacksonville, FL. In 1943 he was stationed on a light cruiser, the Omaha, patrolling the South Atlantic. Their ship sunk two German blockade runners who were delivering supplies to Germany from Argentina. They travelled to southern France for the 1944 invasion against the Germans. After WWII he was returned to Philadelphia where he helped decommission the Omaha. He was discharged in 1946 and remained in the Naval Reserve until 1959. Returning to Ft. Pierce, he joined the St. Lucie County Fire Department in April of 1946. In 1947, he became a bonded deputy with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Department and attended bomb school in Dade County, FL. He worked with Explosive Ordinance Team #2 in the recovery and demolition of WWII explosive ordinance, TNT, and land mines that were left on the beaches of St. Lucie County when the Naval amphibious base was closed. In 1961 he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in a port security unit, retiring as Chief Warrant Officer in 1981. During this time, he remained with the fire department for 32 years, serving as Fire Marshal for 20 years and later as Assistant Chief. He retired as the Chief of the Fort Pierce - St. Lucie Fire District in April 1978. Upon retirement, he was awarded a lifetime membership in the International Association of Bomb Technicians. During his retirement, Donald remained busy with volunteer work. He was on the St. Lucie County Museum Board of Directors, serving as Secretary for several years. He served as Alderman for St. Lucie Village 8 years and was on the board of Old St. Lucie School. He was a Commander and Quarter Master for the local North Side VFW post. He was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church for 68 years. Donald married Polly Ann Summerlin in 1950, and together they had five children; three daughters Tina, Dorothy, Mary Ann, and two sons Donald and Fred.

Some Text Source: St. Lucie County Florida

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