PORT ST. LUCIE Nestled among the bustling U.S. 1 and Village Green shopping center lies a pristine tract of woods and river bank teeming with oak trees, greenery and several ecosystems of wildlife.

Indeed, the Halpatiokee Preserve nature trail and canoe access just north of Village Green Drive was dedicated five years ago to provide a buffer between the seeming inevitability of development and the distinct sights, sounds and smells of pure Florida wildland.

But on a crisp and sunny Saturday morning as a group of state park managers and visitors met to celebrate the preserve’s fifth anniversary, dozens of others hiked its trails to protest a proposed roadway bridge and surrounding development they say would destroy the very nature of the preserve.

"The aim is to let people know what a tragedy it would be if they built the West Virginia Corridor Bridge because it would go through the preserve," said Harold Phillips, the conservation chairman for the Audubon Society. "We’re trying to preserve the natural habitat."

Port St. Lucie city officials argue the West Virginia Corridor is vital to alleviate gridlock on Port St. Lucie and Prima Vista boulevards. A road and bridge that would traverse at least part of the preserve is being considered.

A medical center whose parking lot might be seen through the thickets of the preserve is also being planned on private land surrounding the area.

But development anywhere near the preserve would "permit the further exploitation of what little of Florida is left . . . there’s a lot of endangered species," said Bob Lindemuth, 61, who traveled from Delray Beach to support the park. "They’ve left nothing for future generations."

Together with the environmental group, Conservation Alliance, Lindemuth, his wife, Mary, and nearly 60 others marveled at the lush, 1,000-acre preserve with eight miles of river bank that is home to red foxes, alligators, manatees, ospreys and a plethora of other species.

"It’s beautiful. It’s nature," said nature-walker Mary Lindemuth.

State officials on hand for the anniversary ceremony distanced themselves from the protest, but said the proposed bridge would clearly affect the wildland habitat.

"This is one of the most pristine spots we own," said Jeff Beal, a preserve manager for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. "That bridge would be highly impactive to the preserve . . . It [the preserve] was purchased with tax dollars for preservation."

Beal said the city has requested an easement for the development of the roadway that is being considered by the DEP, but several agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, are involved in the process.

"They have to prove that the development is needed," he said, "and clearly in the public interest."

While the DEP is considering the easement request, Beal said in this and any other case where growth encroaches on nature, the state has asked the city to consider alternatives.

One of those alternatives, he said, is building the bridge in another location, but the big picture solution might be to plan more "town centers" such as St. Lucie West.

Town centers, he said, incorporate the amenities and needs of residents into a small area right among neighborhoods. As a result, there’s no need for long drives to the store, which means fewer traffic headaches necessitating larger roadways.

"Large thoroughfares promote urban sprawl," he said. "They often promote destruction of green spaces. If you can build small town centers around the city, that’s smart growth."

Yet the debate about growth and development was a bit drowned out Saturday by the thick green canopy of trees and wildlife scurrying through the brush. Even the decidedly subdued protesters, some wearing signs that read, "Halpatiokee, Yes. Bridge, No," took time to enjoy the day on a walk and canoe trip through the preserve.

Beal and other state preserve managers led tour groups through the trickling "Blackwater Stream" and Hydrick Hammoc with its cabbage palm, diamond-leaf oak and red maple.

Visitors trekked down the half-mile, pine needle and sand-carpeted path from the preserve’s entrance on U.S. 1 to the canoe dock.

"Did you notice how nice and quiet it was at the dock?" said Mark McGee, a park services specialist with the DEP. "Today is a celebration of life at the Halpatiokee Preserve."

First-time preserve visitor and Port St. Lucie resident Jim Turner, 50, agreed as he enjoyed the little patch of peace and tranquillity amid a growing city.

"Gorgeous," Turner said. "This is the way Florida was created."