The Abacoa Greenways

Enhancing the quality of life through preservation.

How Geenways Enhance Our Lives

• Provide recreation such as walking, jogging, and bicycling in a natural setting away from traffic
• Enhance natural eco-systems and provide habitat for native wildlife
• Link neighborhoods with parks, schools, community centers, and other neighborhoods
• Helping control storm-water runoff, curb erosion, and minimize flooding
• Improve water quality by buffering streams, filtering pollutants, and recharging groundwater
• Add value to area nearby property

The establishment of greenway systems throughout the United States came about because of the increasing awareness of the benefits of preserving natural undisturbed areas within planned developments for the sake of biological sustainability and enhanced quality of life for people living and working in the region.
The Abacoa Greenways are corridors of relatively intact native plant species and natural habitats weaving through the neighborhoods connecting larger natural areas. Abacoa was jointly developed by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Cypress Realty. The developers had sustainability in mind when planning the 2,055-acre, mixed-use community. They set aside  393 acres of land for open space of which 260 became the Abacoa Greenways.
One purpose of the Greenways is to protect the natural environment of wetlands and pine woods which is home to a diversity of wildlife, including birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Another purpose is to provide a 60 acre habitat for the endangered gopher tortoise. It also serves as recreational and educational opportunities for residents. Its main function, however, is to serve as a storm-water management system for the entire community.
Setting aside almost 20% of the land for open space resulted in a greater quality of life for residents of Abacoa. According to the Environmental Protection Agency: The value of Abacoa’s open space was demonstrated by a 2001 survey of residents on the use of the greenway. While only 56 percent of the survey’s respondents had actually used the greenway, 98 percent said the greenway was important to them.
The Greenways are owned and maintained by the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

[dt_sc_hr_invisible_small]Visitor Rules

The Greenway is open from dawn to dusk. Walk, jog, take pictures and study nature. Catch and release fishing is permitted on all bridges and observation platforms.
The following activities are NOT allowed:

• Use of motorized vehicles
• Bicycling is not allowed in the Greenway, however there are bike trails along the perimeter throughout much of the community
• Camping
• Swimming
• Fires
• Alcohol consumption
• Pets
• Firearms