Vero Beach

Vero Beach, Florida in Indian River County has frequently been called the "Central Gemstone of the Treasure Coast." With an inherent natural beauty, preserved and protected by her residents, as well as strict building codes, Vero is a peaceful haven from the frantic lifestyles of many of today's cities.

Stately live oak trees form a canopy over many of the residential streets while an abundance of colorful oleander, hibiscus, and bougainvilleas lend to the tropical atmosphere. The area's waterways offer many ways to experience its natural beauty, from manatee watching to sunbathing. The serene atmosphere enveloping Vero Beach provides a background for a wide range of recreational activity, both active and passive. Like other communities on the Treasure Coast, Vero Beach has the very best of the activities that attract people from around the world to Florida, including golf, boating, fishing, and diving, but there is so much more that makes this community unique.

The City of Vero Beach is the largest municipality in Indian River County and serves as its county seat. The Historic District in downtown Vero Beach is the heart of Indian River County and is undergoing re-birth as historic structures built in the 1920s are being restored to their former glory. Recently named a "Florida Main Street Community," 14th Avenue in downtown is considered the center from which the Florida Main Street program will expand.

Vero Beach is the smallest city in the nation to have its own professional baseball team. The Los Angeles Dodgers baseball organization have been an integral part of the community since 1948 when they arrived here. The Dodgers own a developed site, called Dodgertown, located near the Vero Beach Airport. The facility is used by the Dodgers for spring training and its other farm club teams, including the city's own Vero Beach Dodgers, throughout the year. Dodgertown includes several practice baseball diamonds, the Holman Stadium, dining facilities, locker rooms, equipment rooms, and a 9-hole and 18-hole golf course. Dodgertown is also available as a world-class convention site.

In addition to its importance as the Indian River county seat, Vero Beach is also a regional center of commerce. It is the home of the New Piper Aircraft, manufacturer of single engine aircraft and one of the area's largest employers. The central business district downtown in mainland Vero Beach is thriving, having just completed a new revitalization and redevelopment program.

West of the business district toward 1-95, commercial activity has changed the face of retailing and enabled residents to shop "at home." The most prominent example is the Indian River Mall, the newest Treasure Coast regional shopping center. This super center, with a host of national retail stores and restaurant chains, combines with the upscale Horizon Outlet Center to make Vero Beach a center of shopping for visitors and residents within a 50 mile radius.

The cultural arts are another draw in Vero Beach. Their importance in the community is highly visible at Riverside Park where the Riverside Theater, Agnes Wahlstrom Children's Theater, and the Center for the Arts are located. The imposing Center for the Arts, a museum and cultural center since 1981, is in the midst of a $2.8 million dollar expansion. The additional space will include a gallery to showcase the more than 750 pieces of art featured at the center.