List of parks in Jacksonville, Florida facts for kids
Jacksonville, Florida, is home to the largest city park system in the United States! Imagine having over 337 parks and natural areas to explore, covering more than 80,000 acres (about 324 square kilometers). That's a huge amount of space for outdoor adventures! Besides the parks run by the city, Jacksonville also has ten state parks, five national parks, and several beautiful gardens and arboretums. This means there are endless opportunities to play, learn, and connect with nature right here in Jacksonville.
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Discovering Jacksonville's Parks
Jacksonville's parks offer something for everyone, whether you love sports, exploring nature, or just relaxing outdoors. Let's take a look at the different types of parks you can find.
City Parks: Fun for Everyone!
The city of Jacksonville manages a massive network of parks, playgrounds, and sports complexes. These are often called "municipal parks" because they are run by the city government. You can find everything from small neighborhood playgrounds to large regional parks with lots of different activities. Many of these parks have cool features like sports fields, walking trails, and places to have picnics. Some even have pools or boat ramps!
Here are just a few examples of the many city parks in Jacksonville:
- 103rd Street Sports Complex
- Adolph Wurn Park
- A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park
- Argyle Forest Park
- Balis Park
- Beach and Peach Urban Park
- Betz Tiger Point Preserve
- Blue Cypress Park
- Bogey Creek Preserve
- Boone Park
- Camp Milton Historic Preserve
- Cancer Survivors Park
- Castaway Island Preserve
- Cecil Recreation Complex
- Cradle Creek Preserve
- Dames Point Park and El Faro Memorial
- Dutton Island Preserve
- Ed Austin Regional Park
- Freedom Park
- Friendship Fountain
- Hanna Park (also known as Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park)
- Henry J. Klutho Park
- Huguenot Memorial Park
- Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail
- James Weldon Johnson Park (formerly Hemming Plaza)
- Jessie Ball DuPont Park
- Jim King Park and Boat Ramp
- Julington Durbin Creek Preserve
- Kona Skatepark
- Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing Park
- Lonnie C. Miller Sr. Regional Park
- Losco Regional Park
- Memorial Park
- Metropolitan Park
- Northbank Riverwalk
- Palmetto Leaves Regional Park
- Reddie Point Preserve
- Riverside Park
- Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park
- Sal Taylor Creek Preserve
- Seaton Creek Historic Preserve
- Southbank Riverwalk
- Springfield Park (originally Confederate Park)
- Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
- Treaty Oak
- Tree Hill Nature Center
- Veterans Memorial Wall
- Walter Jones Historical Park
- William F. Sheffield Regional Park
- Willowbranch Park
State Parks: Nature's Wonders
Florida's state parks are special places that protect natural beauty and offer amazing outdoor activities. Near Jacksonville, you can visit several state parks that are perfect for hiking, swimming, fishing, and learning about local wildlife.
- Amelia Island State Park
- Anastasia State Park
- Big Talbot Island State Park
- Fort Clinch State Park
- Fort George Island Cultural State Park
- George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park
- Jennings State Forest]
- Little Talbot Island State Park
- Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park
- Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park
- Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park
National Parks: Protecting Our History and Nature
National parks are managed by the U.S. government and often preserve important historical sites or unique natural environments. Jacksonville is close to several national facilities where you can learn about history and explore incredible landscapes.
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Cumberland Island National Seashore
- Fort Caroline National Memorial
- Fort Matanzas National Monument
- Jacksonville National Cemetery
- Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
- Kingsley Plantation
Special Gardens and Zoos
Beyond the traditional parks, Jacksonville also has unique gardens and a zoo that offer different kinds of outdoor experiences. These places are great for seeing beautiful plants, learning about animals, and enjoying peaceful surroundings.
- Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
- Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
- Palm and Cycad Arboretum