Canaveral Lock, Avocet Lagoon, and Rodney S. Ketcham Park Field Trip

Note: The Canaveral Locks at Port Canaveral will be closed for maintenance from December 27, 2010 to February 24, 2011 and again from March 15 to April 22, 2011 for installation of a new manatee protection system.

The Canaveral Lock is a little tough to find, but it's well worth the effort. The Lock is located at Port Canaveral, between the Port's West Turning Basin and the Banana River. It is used by pleasure craft to get between the ocean and the river, but it is also used after every shuttle launch in the transport of the shuttle booster rockets that fall into the ocean after liftoff and must be returned to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for rework and reuse. The Lock was dedicated in 1965 and is maintained by the US. Army Corps of Engineers. (This photo by Wayne Matchett. Click on photos to enlarge.)

For visitors to the Space Coast, understand there is a City of Cape Canaveral and then there is Port Canaveral. Port Canaveral is the second busiest cruise port in the world. To get to the Lock, if you come up A1A from the south, you'll travel through the city first, then through Port Canaveral, an adventure in itself! Port Canaveral is a growing, bustling, busy area, so be watchful - everybody seems to know where they are going and they are ALL in a hurry. We'll give you the details of how to get there in the Just the Facts section at the end of this post.

As you might expect, given the location, the Lock is a magnet for fish and birds. But it's also a nice place to just sit and watch the world go by at a safe distance, so to speak. The day I was there marked the arrival of the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, on its maiden voyage, and there were various events all day to celebrate its arrival. Personally, I enjoyed viewing it from the peace and quiet of the Lock! You'll see the ship in the background of some of the photos, and there are more from friend Wayne in the slideshow.

As you're driving to the Lock, you'll pass Rodney S. Ketcham Park, located at the boat launch area. Rodney S. Ketcham was a much-beloved Southern gentleman, long-time Brevard County community leader, and Port Authority Board Commissioner from 1996 until his death in 2008. The park is a constant reminder of his contributions to the County and to the gracious growth of the Port.

Once you get to the Lock, you'll find Visitor Parking, then it's just a short walk to the fenced entrance. You can sit at the observation area overlooking the mechanics of the Lock (and be observed by the Pelicans sitting opposite, observing YOU), or wander down to the picnic table pavilions.

Trash can indicator and the path to Avocet Lagoon

But if you don't mind getting your feet a little muddy, here are directions to Avocet Lagoon, a true hidden treasure. (My thanks to Harvey, who drove in at the same time I did. Harvey is a photographer and frequent Lock visitor, and he provided me with the directions to Avocet.) Across the entrance road from the wooden garbage container closest to the gate, you'll find a path through the shrubs. Take this path,

and suddenly you're at Avocet Lagoon! The day I was there, it was full of all sorts of birds - my photos are not excellent, but you'll get the general idea. Harvey told me that Jim Meyers of the Space Coast Audubon Society (SCAS) has worked for several years to get an observation tower constructed that will overlook Avocet Lagoon, and it appears the tower may actually be built soon. Heads up - you are likely to get your shoes muddy at the Lagoon, and they'll smell bad, but it's worth it!

Just the Facts
Rodney S. Ketcham Park, Canaveral Lock, and Avocet Lagoon

"BIG PICTURE" LOCATION: Central Brevard, Beachside, Port Canaveral

WHEN TO GO: Canaveral Lock and Avocet Lagoon are accessible 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. Rodney Ketcham Park is accessible 24/7.

HOW TO GET THERE: I took A1A north through Cape Canaveral and turned onto North Atlantic Avenue at the big curve. Follow North Atlantic Avenue to the Port. At George King Boulevard, turn left and follow it to Dave Nisbet Drive. Look for this sign right before the intersection of Dave Nisbet Drive and Mullet Road. Turn onto Mullet road and follow it faithfully. You'll go past Rodney S. Ketcham Park and a yacht club. You'll go under a bridge and loop around, and eventually you'll wind up at the parking lot for the Lock. It's only a couple of miles from the Dave Nisbet and Mullet Road intersection. (The interactive map in Reference Links below gives directions from I-95.) Google Map (Google marker shows beginning of Lock - keep going!)

WHERE TO PARK: Plenty of visitor parking at Canaveral Lock and Rodney Ketcham Park

WHAT TO WEAR: Wear something cool, and wear a hat and sunscreen if you plan to stay long (the water amplifies the sun's effects). Wear comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting muddy if you go to Avocet Lagoon.

PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS: At the Lock, the road from Visitor Parking to the Observation Area is paved. The path to Avocet Lagoon is short, but downhill and rough. There are portolets at the Lock (referred to as Latrines, reflecting the Army Corps of Engineers terminology). I'd say Rodney Ketcham Park is fully accessible, but I didn't see any portolets.

Canaveral Lock Pavilion and Ketcham Park Pavilion

HOW LONG TO STAY: Stay as long as the spirit moves you! There are covered picnic tables and trash cans at both the Lock and Rodney Ketcham Park, so either would be good spots for a picnic.

WHAT TO DO: Wander around, take photos, or just relax. Pets on a leash are allowed (pick up after them, please). Fishing is not allowed at the Lock, but you can fish near Rodney Ketcham Park.

BRING MONEY? No - this is all free

WHERE TO EAT AFTERWARDS: The answer to this question will require yet another field trip to Port Canaveral proper - there are several eating spots, but I have not eaten at any of them yet. If you follow the direction arrow to The Cove, I believe you'll find a collection of places to dine. Follow the link to Places Around Florida - Port Canaveral for some good information. If you have a recommendation, please feel free to leave it in a comment.

HOW TO HELP: As always, don't litter and don't annoy the critters. A reader left a pertinent comment on the Viera Wetlands post - don't let children run around yelling - it scares the birds and bothers other visitors.

REFERENCE LINKS:
Port Canaveral web site
Port Canaveral Interactive Map (busy, but helpful)
Central Florida Bird Watchers
NASA Fact Sheet (8.6MB and a long download, but very interesting)
Freedom of the Seas
Rodney Ketcham Tribute (page 3 of magazine)
Places Around Florida, Port Canaveral

Avocet (the bird)

A LITTLE BIT EXTRA: Friend Wayne visited Canaveral Lock and Avocet Lagoon and got lots of good photos, so they're included in a slideshow (right-hand column of this blog). He took some lovely bird photos, and a cute three-series of a pelican catching a fish, eating the fish, and burping after eating the fish. He and his wife, Julie, viewed the departure of Freedom of the Seas from a location near Jetty park, and Wayne shared photos of that also. One photo in particular is spectactular!