You’re driving down Congress Avenue, maybe heading toward Lantana or just looking for a spot to clear your head, and there it is. John Prince Park. If you grew up in Palm Beach County, you’ve probably been here for a birthday party under a pavilion or a hazy morning walk. But honestly, most people just see the signs and keep driving. That’s a mistake.
This place is massive. We’re talking over 720 acres of land wrapped around Lake Osborne. It isn’t just some neighborhood playground with a couple of swings; it’s basically the heartbeat of Lake Worth’s outdoor scene.
The John Prince Park Legacy (It’s Older Than You Think)
Most people don’t realize that John Prince Memorial Park is actually one of the oldest county parks in the entire state of Florida. It dates back to the 1930s and 40s. Back then, the area was just a massive stretch of wetlands and muck.
The park is named after John Prince, a county commissioner who basically spent eighteen years lobbying everyone from state officials to private developers to donate land. He had this vision of a "people’s park." He died in 1952, and the park was dedicated in his memory on Veterans Day that same year.
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It’s kinda wild to think that without him, this whole area might just be more strip malls or condos. Instead, he secured over 1,000 acres which eventually became the park, the Lantana Airport, and the Palm Beach State College campus.
Lake Osborne: The Real Star of the Show
If the park is the body, Lake Osborne is the soul. It covers about 338 acres of the park’s total footprint. If you’re into fishing, you already know this is a legendary spot. You’ll find people out here at sunrise chasing:
- Largemouth Bass
- Butterfly Peacock Bass
- Sunshine Bass
- Mayan Cichlids (those colorful, aggressive little guys)
A quick heads-up though: don't go swimming. Seriously. Between the alligators (this is Florida, after all) and the water quality, it’s a "stay on the boat" kind of lake. You can launch your boat or jet ski from the ramps, but keep your feet on the deck.
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More Than Just a Picnic Spot
Most people come here for the pavilions. There are dozens of them, like the Tim Granowitz or Smythe pavilions, which are always booked for family reunions. But if you dig deeper, you’ll find the John Prince Golf Learning Center.
This isn't your average stuffy country club. It’s a state-of-the-art practice facility with over 50 hitting stations and real grass tees. They even have three regulation practice holes. If your swing is looking a little shaky, this is basically the best place in the county to fix it without spending a fortune.
Then there’s "Lake Woof."
Yeah, that’s the actual name of the dog park. It’s a five-section area divided by dog size. It’s usually packed on Saturday mornings, and honestly, it's a great place to meet locals if you've just moved to the Lake Worth area.
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The Campground Vibe
One of the best-kept secrets for travelers is the 48-acre campground. It has over 250 sites for RVs and tents.
- Full hookups? Yes.
- Wifi? Sorta (it’s park wifi, don’t expect to stream 4K movies).
- Lakeside views? Absolutely.
There’s a section called "Scout Hill" that still nods to the park's history with the Boy Scouts. If you’re staying there, you’re literally minutes from I-95 but it feels like you're miles away from the noise.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Trails
You’ll see people power-walking on the paved paths all day long. There’s a popular 3-mile loop that the local Florida Trail Association chapter uses for their morning heart-rate-boosters.
But if you want the real experience, look for the nature trails tucked away in the southeast corner. These are some of the oldest nature trails in Palm Beach County. They offer a glimpse of what Florida looked like before the dredging and the "de-mucking" changed the landscape. You’ll see iguanas—lots of them—and the occasional osprey diving for a snack in the lake.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Timing is everything. If you’re planning a weekend BBQ, you need to reserve a pavilion weeks, sometimes months, in advance. Use the Palm Beach County Parks online portal.
- Bring the bike. The perimeter road and the internal trails are perfect for a long ride that doesn't involve dodging traffic on 10th Ave North.
- Respect the residents. Not just the humans—the iguanas and gators live here. Watch your small pets near the water's edge.
- Golfers: go early. The Learning Center gets hot and crowded by noon. The early morning light on the range is beautiful and much cooler.
- Check the calendar. From the South Florida Strawberry Festival to local 5K runs, there’s almost always something happening near the Congress Avenue entrances.
John Prince Park is basically a 700-acre "choose your own adventure" for anyone in Lake Worth. Whether you’re there to hit a bucket of balls, launch a kayak, or just let your dog run wild at Lake Woof, it’s the kind of place that reminds you why people actually like living in Florida. Pack a cooler, grab some sunscreen, and just go explore it.