Green Hammock Trail

Green Hammock Trail is the park's half-mile, green-marked loop through tropical hardwood hammock and transitional habitat to Russell Quarry. It is the longest of the park's five marked nature trails, but still an easy short outing; allow about 30 to 45 minutes if you stop at the numbered signs. Choose it for a shaded walk beneath native trees that ends at a quarry partly surrounded by forest. The measured loop here follows the green trail alone; the shared path from the visitor center and the separate Flagler Quarry trail are outside that half-mile.

All five trails begin behind the Alison Fahrer Environmental Education Center. Pick up the trail guide, follow the brick path past the building to the overlook across Windley Quarry, then follow the green markers. Keep left where the Flagler route branches away, then right where the Windley route splits. The Hammock path winds past a poisonwood interpretation stop, close to the mangrove fringe, and through a small stand of Florida thatch palms before reaching Russell Quarry.

Russell Quarry is the oldest quarried area in the park. Unlike the more open quarry nearby, it is ringed and partly filled by tropical hammock; the path skirts the pit beside a bench, then climbs a short ramp out and closes back at the green-trail entry. Keep to the path along the edge. The limestone walls show fossil coral from the ancient reef that formed this part of the Keys about 125,000 years ago.

This is not a perfectly flat stroll: mulch covers uneven limestone and there are small rises around the quarry. The park offers a powered track chair, but describes the route as mulched terrain that users should be able to traverse for about half a mile independently or with a companion; ask staff if you need help judging the fit. Restrooms and a refillable water station are at the education center, and picnic tables sit in the quarry areas. Shaded tables are limited.

The park's trails pass more than 40 native tree and plant species. Look for pigeon plum, gumbo-limbo, ironwood and thatch palms; white-crowned pigeons feed on poisonwood fruit in the forest. Poisonwood contains an oil that can cause a skin rash, so don't touch it or brush against it. The park describes conditions as warm to hot and sometimes buggy; insect repellent helps. Pets are allowed only in designated park areas, and the park does not specify whether this trail is one of them, so check with staff before bringing a dog.