Southern Florida living on the Treasure Coast
Founded in 1959, the Lakewood Park community provides a tranquil living experience along Florida's Treasure Coast. Residents here spend most of their time outdoors, surrounded by the lush greenery of Lakewood Regional Park, the scenic Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to beautiful landscapes, residents also capitalize on their proximity to the Indrio Crossings Shopping Center - which provides easy access to a variety of retailers and everyday essentials - and nearby U.S. Route 1 which provides a direct route to downtown Fort Pierce, just 10 miles away. “Lakewood Park is popular for young families, commuters and retirees, all who are attracted to the area by the affordable pricing and proximity to downtown Fort Pierce,” says Natalia Rhinehart, local Realtor with EXP Realty. For many, Lakewood Park is the perfect balance of a suburban lifestyle paired with modern conveniences and a pristine location.
Coastal-style homes and golf course views
Lakewood Park features a range of housing options from vinyl-sided manufactured homes and traditional ranch -styles to multi-story coastal homes and Mediterranean-influenced stucco builds. Boasting a variety of subdivisions from the gated communities of Portofino Shores to the golf course views associated with Spanish Lakes Country Club, this community's median sales price hovers around $310,000. Price points do vary, however, and can range from the low $100,000s to upwards of $550,000s depending on the age, size and location of the property. For example, a two-bedroom ranch-style fixer-upper can go for around $125,000, while a five-bedroom multi-story coastal home with lakefront views within a gated community can go for around $545,000. It is important to note that houses located within gated communities or featuring direct waterfront views often tend to have higher price points. Many homes here also feature paved driveways large enough to house RVs and are typically fronted by well-maintained mid-sized yards with large blooming tropical plants, like hibiscus flowers. “Lakewood Park offers residents a waterfront community with the option of a voluntary HOA – lot sizes are larger here and home insurance is often cheaper than other areas on the Treasure Coast,” says Rhinehart.
Everyday essentials at Indrio Crossings Shopping Center
Lakewood Park residents shop at Indrio Crossings Shopping Center, which offers a variety of department stores and retailers to choose from, like Bealls, Dollar Tree and Auto Zone. Groceries and other everyday essentials are available at nearby stores like Winn-Dixie, CVS and 7-Eleven. When dining in the area, locals head to Pineapple Joe's Grill & Raw Bar for live music, quick bites and classic American cuisine. Or for a diverse menu of home-style cooking, head to Vecinos Family Restaurant, complete with a local diner feel. For a more casual atmosphere, check out E's Delicious BBQ for slow-smoked barbeque every Friday and Saturday, located near Indrio Road Park/Schoolhouse.
Education at St. Lucie County Schools
Students in Lakewood Park can attend Lakewood Park Elementary, Forest Grove Middle and Fort Pierce Westwood High, which respectively received ratings of C-plus, C-plus and B-minus from the educational review site, Niche. Lakewood Park Elementary School offers a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, while Forest Grove Middle School offers a Marine Oceanographic Academy Prep Program, which exposes students to environmental issues and fosters marine stewardship through science-related activities and educational opportunities. Fort Pierce Westwood High School offers a rigorous curriculum featuring Advanced Placement (AP) courses for higher education preparation. Private institutions like Touched by Grace Academy are also common here.
Outdoor dining at Lakewood Regional Park
Residents of this community are located within walking distance of the 150-acre Lakewood Regional Park, featuring fenced-in tennis courts, a swimming pool with a cabana and an outdoor lunch area equipped with grills and picnic tables for quick bites on-the-go lunch. For those who want to practice their swing, the Island Pines Golf Club is also nearby, which features an 18-hole course and a spacious clubhouse complete with a bar and a kitchen. Daily golf rates are available along with annual and seasonal memberships for avid golfers. For a day trip to the beach, locals can visit the white-sand shores of North Hutchinson Island to sunbathe or to cool off in the Atlantic Ocean.
Bird watching at Indrio Savannahs Preserve
Local sandhill crane sightings are common throughout the area, and many residents take advantage of the nearby Indrio Savannahs Preserve to watch them. Featuring 300-acres of lake and land created to protect the largest remaining area of standing pine flatwoods in St. Lucie County, the preserve offers multiple wildlife observation areas, like the Great Florida Birding Trail, where mockingbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, cardinals and even armadillos can be spotted.
Lakewood Park transportation and flood risk
Lakewood Park is situated between U.S. Route-1 and Emerson Avenue, providing residents with easy access to downtown Fort Pierce and neighboring areas like Florida Ridge and St. Lucie. Residents seeking public transit options can take the Area Regional Transit (ART), a fare-free public transit system serving the cities of Fort Pierce. Lakewood Park riders can start their ride on bus route 7, which operates along Emerson Avenue and stops throughout the community. For those seeking to travel longer distances, the Treasure Coast International Airport (FPR) is only 6 miles away from Lakewood Park. Due to the location and climate of Lakewood Park, there’s a higher risk of hurricanes and flooding within the area. St. Lucie County has recently implemented precautionary measures to strengthen the shoreline and reduce storm damage to residential and commercial areas through the 2023 Fort Pierce Shore Protection Project.
