Peanut Island facts for kids
Peanut Island is a 79-acre (0.32 km2) island in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It sits at the entrance of the Lake Worth Inlet. This island was created in 1918 through a process called dredging. Dredging involves digging up sand and rock from the bottom of a waterway. This project also helped create the inlet and the Port of Palm Beach.
The island was first called Inlet Island. It was renamed Peanut Island because someone planned to use it for shipping peanut oil. However, that plan didn't work out in 1946.
What Makes Peanut Island Special?
In 2005, Peanut Island got a big makeover. About $13 million was spent to turn it into Peanut Island Park. This park now has many cool features for visitors to enjoy.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
- Camping: You can camp overnight right on the island.
- Fishing Pier: There's a long pier where you can go fishing.
- Snorkeling and Diving: A special man-made reef was built. This makes it a great spot for snorkeling and diving to see marine life.
- Walking Paths: The island has well-kept paths that go all the way around it.
- Gardens and Picnics: You can find lovely gardens and places to have a picnic.
A Secret Bunker for President Kennedy
Peanut Island also has a hidden history. It was once home to a secret blast shelter built for President John F. Kennedy. This bunker was made shortly after he was elected in 1960. President Kennedy often spent his winters in nearby Palm Beach, Florida.
The shelter was known as "Detachment Hotel." For several years, people could take tours inside it. However, it was closed to visitors in October 2017.
