Navy Wells Pineland Preserve: The Pine Rockland Next Door to Pineland Crest
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Navy Wells Pineland Preserve is a county nature preserve right next to Pineland Crest. Miami-Dade County's map puts the edge of the preserve less than 50 feet, in a straight line, from the point Lennar uses for the community on SW 192nd Avenue. The county says the preserve holds ""one of the largest contiguous parcels of critically globally imperiled pine rockland outside of Everglades National Park."" This guide explains what the preserve is, what lives there, how the county cares for it, and how you can visit the right way.
What Navy Wells Pineland Preserve Is
Navy Wells Pineland Preserve is part of Miami-Dade County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, called EEL for short. The county's description says, ""Currently the EEL Program manages 239 acres"" at Navy Wells.
The land has a long public history. The county says the federal government took over the preserve and nearby land in 1941, during World War II. The county bought the property from the federal government in 1977. In 2004, the County Commission accepted the natural areas into the EEL Program ""for the purposes of management into perpetuity."" In plain words, it is meant to stay a natural area for good.
As the name suggests, the land has U.S. Navy history. Today it is a county preserve, not a city park and not a military site.
What Is a Pine Rockland?
A pine rockland is a rare kind of forest. The county explains that pine rocklands ""are unique to Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Collier Counties."" They grow on ridges of bare limestone with very little soil.
Here is what makes them special, from the county's pine rockland page:
Tall, thin pines on rock. The main tree is the South Florida slash pine. It stands over a low layer of saw palmettos, silver palms, grasses and wildflowers.
A huge plant list. The county says the plants number ""over 400 species,"" and many grow nowhere else in the world.
Almost all of it is gone. Pinelands and hammocks ""once covered 185,000 acres of Miami-Dade County."" By 1996, the county says, ""only 2% of the pine forest remained outside of Everglades National Park"" in the built-up parts of the county.
That last point is why Navy Wells matters. Most pine rockland in the county now sits in small, broken patches. A large connected piece like this one is hard to find.
If you have read about the farm fields to the north, this is a very different landscape. Our guide to the Fruit and Spice Park covers one of the area's best-known farm-country stops.
What Lives at Navy Wells
The county's description lists more than 382 plant species at the preserve. One of them, Small's milkpea, is federally endangered.
The county also names animals that use the preserve, including:
Rufous-sided towhee, red-shouldered hawk and eastern screech-owl
Chuck-will's-widow, a night bird
Florida leafwing butterfly and the faithful beauty moth
Hispid cotton rat, eastern cottontail rabbit and gray fox
Bring binoculars and patience. Many of the most interesting things here are small. The county's pine rockland page puts it well: true appreciation means ""zooming in on and recognizing the value of the small and inconspicuous.""
How the County Cares for Navy Wells
The county lists three main jobs at the preserve: removing invasive plants, using planned fires, and restoring the pineland.
Fire is the one new neighbors should understand. Pine rocklands need it. The county explains that ""many species in this type of ecosystem are dependent on fire for their survival."" Fire helps seeds sprout and keeps hardwood trees and invasive plants from taking over.
So the county uses prescribed fires. These are planned and supervised. The county's pine rockland page says they ""should be performed on a three-to-five-year cycle."" The Navy Wells description says ""The last prescribed burn occurred in 2020.""
The county also says that ""Community education and support for prescribed burning is necessary in areas where pine rocklands are near developed areas and residential neighborhoods."" Pineland Crest is one of those neighborhoods. If you ever have a question about a planned burn, the EEL Program's phone line is 305-372-6611.
How to Visit Navy Wells Pineland Preserve
This is not a typical park with a parking lot and posted hours. The county pages we read do not list daily visiting hours for Navy Wells. So plan ahead.
The best way in is through the county's own volunteer program. The EEL Program runs volunteer workdays at natural areas around the county. Here is what the county's EEL volunteer workday page says:
""Most workdays take place from 9 a.m. to noon.""
""Closed-toe shoes are required."" Long sleeves and long pants are ""highly recommended.""
Bring water, a hat, sunblock and bug spray.
""Please do not bring pets along on workdays.""
""Children 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult.""
""Community hours are available through this volunteer program."" That can help students who need service hours.
Check the county's workday calendar to see which preserve is on the list each month. Before you walk in on your own, call the EEL Program at 305-372-6611 to ask about access. Stay on paths, leave plants and rocks where they are, and watch for poison ivy and poisonwood, which the county warns about on its workday page.
Other Outdoor Stops Near Pineland Crest
Navy Wells is wild land. For other kinds of outings, Lennar's own page for Pineland Crest names a few local favorites:
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand. Lennar calls out ""the charm of Robert Is Here Fruit Stand."" Read our guide to the Robert Is Here fruit stand before you go.
The Everglades Outpost. Lennar mentions ""the wild wonders of the Everglades Outpost."" Our guide to the Everglades Outpost wildlife sanctuary explains what you will see there.
The Florida Keys. Lennar's page also points to the Florida Keys for longer trips.
Hours at private spots can change, so check before you go.
Living Next to a Preserve
For a buyer, a preserve next door means a stretch of land that the county has set aside to stay natural. It also means a few things to know:
Planned fires happen. The county burns pine rocklands on purpose to keep them healthy.
Wildlife is part of daily life. Birds, butterflies and small animals do not stop at a fence line.
Rules come from the county. Navy Wells is a county EEL preserve, which fits with the rest of the area. Pineland Crest itself sits in unincorporated Miami-Dade, so the county runs most local services. Our guide to what unincorporated Miami-Dade means for owners explains who handles what.
Inside the community, Lennar describes ""a community park with ample green space,"" and every townhome opens onto a back patio. You can see how each home connects to the outdoors in our plan-by-plan look at the Pineland Crest townhomes.
Common Questions
How close is Navy Wells Pineland Preserve to Pineland Crest?
Very close. The county map puts the edge of the preserve less than 50 feet, in a straight line, from the point Lennar uses for the community on SW 192nd Avenue.
Who manages Navy Wells Pineland Preserve?
Miami-Dade County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. The county says the program manages 239 acres there and has accepted the land for management as a natural area for good.
Is Navy Wells Pineland Preserve open to the public?
The county pages we read do not list daily visiting hours. The safest way in is a county volunteer workday or a guided trip. Call the EEL Program at 305-372-6611 to ask about access first.
Why does the county set fires in the preserve?
Pine rocklands need fire to stay healthy. The county says many species here depend on fire. Planned, supervised burns help seeds sprout and hold back invasive plants and hardwood trees.
What rare plants grow at Navy Wells?
The county lists more than 382 plant species at the preserve, including Small's milkpea, which is federally endangered. Many pine rockland plants grow nowhere else in the world.
Can kids volunteer at Navy Wells?
The county's workday rules say children 15 or under must be with an adult. Community service hours are available, which can help older students who need them.
Thinking about a home next to a preserve? Call 561-704-0091 or arrange a visit to Pineland Crest. Learn more on the Pineland Crest community page.
Related reading: brick paver patios and Lennar's standard features