Vero Beach, Florida

Coastal Oaks Preserve

Coastal Oaks Preserve is located within one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America – the Indian River Lagoon. The Indian River Land Trust (IRLT), whose mission is to preserve, protect, and provide access to the Lagoon, collaborated with Dix.Hite to create a Vision Plan that celebrates the IRLT's mission through restoration, education, research, and experience. The design team performed site inventory and analysis to map areas most suited for preservation, restoration, or development. A stakeholder charrette and workshop provided further insight into the goals and mission of the Preserve. As a result, a plan was developed around three key activities: enter, gather, and explore. The plan includes design solutions that preserve the land and restore its significant ecosystems, defines edges, provides space for research and education initiatives, and creates opportunities for users to engage with the site. The project is currently in design development.