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One of the great things about living in Jacksonville is the number of beautiful parks in our city and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking for a fun place to take your children or a quiet oasis to walk your dog, there’s a park for you. Keep reading to find out about six wonderful parks in Jacksonville.
Metropolitan Park
Metropolitan Park is one of Jacksonville’s busiest urban parks. It’s an 18.25-acre stretch of land located on Gator Bowl Drive, on the banks of St. John’s River. Formerly a landfill, this park is now a multi-use area for visitors of all ages. If you’re interested in fishing, sailing, or kayaking on the river, the park has a full boat dock and a non-motorized launch area. There’s a playground for younger visitors and picnic areas for families.
The outdoor pavilion hosts concerts and festivals, including outdoor classical performances by the Jacksonville Symphony. It’s also a great place to watch water events, like the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade in November. You can find out about upcoming events on the city’s website.
James Weldon Johnson Park
Located in downtown Jacksonville, James Weldon Johnson Park is the oldest park in the city. This park features outdoor art and sculptures, activities for children, and lots of space to meet friends. Since this is an urban park, much of the space is paved, though there are landscaped areas and fountains.
Much of the park is dedicated to game tables and public furniture, and there’s a separate Kids Zone for younger visitors. The park often hosts festivals that celebrate Jacksonville’s diverse culture. It’s close to various cafes and restaurants, so it’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the weather.
Henry J. Klutho Park
If you’re looking for a park with lots of activities for energetic kids, Henry J. Klutho Park in North Jacksonville might be the place for you. This piece of land has provided recreational activities to Jacksonville residents for over a century. Young children will enjoy the large playground, while older ones might have a great time playing tennis or frisbee in the large fields. There’s also a disc golf course on the park grounds.
Henry J. Klutho Park is a convenient place to spend a morning outdoors and finish up with a picnic lunch. There are tables, restrooms, and a shaded picnic pavilion for warmer days. Like most parks in the area, it’s open from sunrise to sunset all year round.
Reddie Point Preserve
Reddie Point Preserve is located on the bend of St. John’s River and is a popular fishing spot for locals and visitors alike. This 102-acre park has a 700-ft fishing pier, so you can fish, even if you don’t have a boat. If you have a boat or canoe, you can use the docks or kayak launch to enter the river. Along with its fishing and boating amenities, the park has a scenic overlook and wildlife observation areas, making it a great place for birdwatchers. There’s also a picnic pavilion and multi-use play fields for soccer or frisbee.
The park at Reddie Point Preserve opens at sunrise and closes at sundown every day, all year long. There are no camping facilities here, but there are restrooms, picnic shelters, and drinking fountains, so you can spend a comfortable morning or evening in the park. While you can bring your own boat to the park, you can’t moor it overnight.
Castaway Island Preserve
If you’re looking for a peaceful place for a nature walk, consider Castaway Island Preserve, located on San Pablo Road off Route 90. Bordering the Intracoastal Waterway, the park has a marshy ecosystem and is home to many native species, including ibises and tortoises. If you’re looking for an easy stroll, the park’s wooden boardwalk offers beautiful views of Jacksonville’s native surroundings. A 1-mile nature trail features educational markers for walkers of all ages, including children, and there’s also an observation area that gives visitors a glimpse of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Along with its scenic views, the Castaway Island Preserve features a kayak launch and a fishing dock for visitors. There’s a picnic area for an outdoor lunch or snacks, and pets are welcome on the preserve as long as they’re leashed. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, and there’s no fee for parking or entering the preserve.
Little Talbot Island State Park
A half-hour drive from downtown Jacksonville, Little Talbot Island State Park is farther away from the city center than the other parks on this list, but it’s worth the drive. This undeveloped barrier island features sandy dunes, 5 miles of beaches, and 3 miles of bike paths. The park’s Dune Ridge Trail offers hikers a uniquely Floridian opportunity to roam untouched beaches and forested glades covered in Spanish moss. If you’re looking for more wildlife, you can drive a few minutes up the road to Big Talbot Island, which is primarily a wildlife refuge.
You can spend a day on the island or camp overnight on the park’s tent and RV site. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. to sunset all year round. If you’re interested in kayaking, you can rent a kayak or boat launch from the park’s approved vendor, located near the park entrance. Here are the fees for using the park:
- Pedestrians or cyclists pay $2.
- Single-passenger vehicles, like motorcycles, pay $4.
- Multi-passenger vehicles with up to eight occupants pay $5.
- A campsite costs $24 per night (plus additional fees).
These are just six of Jacksonville’s many stunning parks. If you’re looking for a new vehicle to explore uncharted wilderness or take your kids to a fun day at the playground, the team at Keith Pierson Toyota is here to help. With our expertise and inventory of new Toyotas and high-quality pre-owned vehicles, we’re confident we can find the right set of wheels for your needs.
Walkway – Little Talbot Island, Florida by Lee Coursey is licensed with CC BY 2.0
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