The McCarty Ranch is 3,107 acres of largely old Florida pine lands. The City purchased the property in 2012 and incorporated it into the City limits in 2013, with plans to use it as a water storage and treatment facility to help meet the City's water demands for decades to come. Additionally, the property will serve as an environmentally-friendly passive recreational area for all to enjoy.
It is now known as “Port St. Lucie's McCarty Ranch Preserve,” and City leaders have a strategic plan to build on the legacy of its namesake and to create a better community that connects the past, present and future.
The City’s McCarty Ranch Preserve was named to recognize and honor the locally and statewide influential McCarty family. Charles Tobin McCarty, known as C.T., began growing pineapples in St. Lucie County during the 1880's, and the McCarty family eventually expanded their St. Lucie County land holdings to accommodate their growing citrus farming and cattle ranching ventures. The family ran cattle on the ranch for many years, selling the last piece of it in 2004. The family’s influence extended throughout Florida, with C.T.’s grandson, Dan, becoming the state’s 31st governor in 1953. C.T.’s other grandson, John, managed the family ranch for many years and was keenly aware of its value to future generations as an environmental resource and potential water supply.
The McCarty Ranch Preserve's primary use is intended for water storage and treatment. In order to meet the drinking water needs of the projected growth in population in this city and its extended utility service area, Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department plans to pump water out of the nearby C-23 Canal, and then store it in on-site reservoirs/lakes and/or in deep aquifer storage and recovery wells (ASRs) during annual wet seasons. The stored water will then be recovered, treated to drinking water standards, and distributed for consumption during dry seasons.
The water treatment plant, storage facilities and recovery system will encompass approximately 25 acres of the property. The pipe work from the treatment plant connecting the ASR wells will be underground. The existing lakes on the property will be converted to use as drinking water reservoirs.
The implementation of this water storage and treatment facility will ensure that Port St. Lucie is able to meet its water needs for generations to come.
The property will serve as an environmentally-friendly passive recreational area for all to enjoy.
Residents and visitors can enjoy activities on both land and water. Trails have been cleared for walking, biking and horseback riding. A lake system covering more than 300 acres provides opportunities for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Disc golf is also available.
Note: One sealed electric motor per boat maybe used after first obtaining a Boat Permit from the City’s Utility Systems Department (PSLUSD).
Make Port St. Lucie's McCarty Ranch Preserve your outdoor recreation destination. It's the best place you've never been!
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