EXPLORE OUTDOORS

Located in the Arlington area, Tree Hill offers trails, animal encounters, educational classes, a hands-on children’s museum and an outdoor amphitheater all with a low entrance fee. The space is typically quiet and is a great space to explore with a stroller and/or children of multiple ages. 

Admission: $5 adults, $3 children (3-17 years)

Hours: Monday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed some holidays. 

Location: 7152 Lonestar Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32211

Featuring 7 different trails, including a loop around a beautiful pond, The Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens can feel like an escape from the city. Take a picnic and sit in the shade of large oak trees. The site is also a host to many programs, including artistic events and a free yoga class by Harmony Mind Body & Spirit (donations accepted). The arboretum is located in the Arlington area of Jax.

Admission: $3 per person

Hours: Monday - Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Closed some holidays and special events.

Location: 1445 Millcoe Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225

The official name of the park is Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Hanna Park is located in Mayport and is home to miles of beaches, stocked ponds, nature and biking trails, camping, a playground and splash pad (seasonal). If you forget anything, there is a little store that sells all the basics and some fun items like ice cream and beach toys too. Once a month the local astronomy society meets and hosts a night of star gazing open to the public on the beach-front parking lot.

Admission: $5 per car

Hours: Monday - Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 6-8 p.m. depending on daylight savings

Location: 500 Wonderwood Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32233

Great video of the park amenities. 

There are several sections of the preserve,  including Kingsley Plantation and Fort Caroline, both of which have stroller accessible walks. Each section is a unique gem and along with robust history, has lots of outdoor space for exploring and picnicking. Take a morning and visit the historic Fort Caroline National Memorial looking at the river and exploring the fort, museum and cannons. When you’re finished bring lots of water to hike the trails across the way. If you follow the trails to the end, there is a breathtaking view of the marsh. 

Admission & Hours: Each park has different policies. Please view the schedule here. 

Located outside of Jacksonville in Fernandina, Fort Clinch has 1,400 acres of beaches, marsh view and excellent shark tooth hunting. Visit on the first weekend of the month to see a live demonstration of battlefield skills from the Civil War, including a firing of the cannons. Don’t forget ear protection for those sensitive to noise or for the littles. Once inside the park, you can visit the fort, which is usually not too crowded and allows you to wander at your own pace through the rooms of the fort. This area is mostly stroller-friendly, but you may need to park it to make it to the upper sections.

Hours: The fort is 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The park is 8:00 a.m. to sunset daily.

Admission: $6 per vehicle + $2.50 per person for fort entrance.

Location: 2601 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Drive down the busy Roosevelt Boulevard on Jacksonville’s Westside neighborhood...

...and you will find the very peaceful natural oasis that is Tillie Fowler. Easy to spot from the road with its clearly marked signage and a beautiful brick entrance.

This regional park offers several miles of hiking and biking trails easily accessible and marked. There is plenty of free parking, playgrounds, restroom facilities, an amphitheater, and a beautifully manicured picnic area with grills and walking trails. This park even has its own dog park for furry friends of all sizes.

For an easy hike through old Florida, the 1.2 mile Tower Trail reaches an observation tower in the middle that makes it more than worthwhile.

There is a nature center at the trailhead, complete with a butterfly garden that houses milkweed and pentas flowers. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a flash of yellow and black float by— the markings of an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

The trail itself is shaded by tall pine trees that make the hike more than bearable even on a ninety-four degree day. It starts off as concrete, then alternates between boardwalk to cross the wetlands and a soft, sandy trail littered with pine needles. It’s easy to follow the blue blazes through.

The landscape changes with every round of a corner, making the hike even more interesting. In some parts, everything is green, from the brush that blankets the dirt to the trees that have made their way under the pines noble stature. In others, the pine needles have taken over, making the ground one note of mahogany brown. They circle puddles of thick black water where toads have made their home. And then, you’re on the boardwalk again, with a three-story observation tower in sight.

The top of the observation tower is shaded by a majestic pine tree, making it the perfect place for a mid-hike picnic. It looks out over wetlands, and in the distance you can see the Ortega River. Cricket chirps fill your ears. A breeze blows from the west, cool from touching the river, and you close your eyes and sit down in peace.

The park offers free admission and is open from dawn till dusk.

PARK ITINERARY: Day at Tillie Fowler

Spend the day at this spacious & convenient park in Jacksonville at no cost!

MORNING

When planning to make a trip to Tillie Fowler first decide whether you’d like to bring the furry friends along. Tillie Fowler is a dog friendly park with plenty of activities you can enjoy with your furry friend, but there is still tons to enjoy if you decide not to bring your dog along. Also if you have a bike, you can load that in your car as there are off-road bike trails near the front of the park.

If you brought your bike, start the day off by exploring the off-road bike trails near the front of the park. When you arrive, you will drive through the park gates and as you are driving down the road on the left side are the off-road bike trails. There is no parking by these trails, so you need to drive down a little further and park by the playground.

If you brought your dog along for the park adventure, start your day by parking at the playground and walking over to the dog park area. Tillie Fowler has two dog parks. One for small dogs and the other for large dogs. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the dog park rules. A general note is the dogs must be on leashes when on the trails.

No dog or bike? Start the day by exploring one of the trails. Tower trails is the shorter of the two trails. Tower Trail is 1.2 miles round trip and leads to an observation tower that overlooks the Ortega river. The second trail is the Island Trail which is 2.25 miles round trip with a bridge to cross over some wet lands. Both trail heads can be accessed near the back of the park. Both trails allow for dogs and bikes.

AFTERNOON

After you have spent some time exploring the park trails, it’s time to take a break at one of the many picnic tables at the playground for a quick snack and refreshment that you brought. Restrooms are located near the playground. There is a pavilion with picnic tables which can be reserved in advanced. All other picnic tables are on a first come basis.

When you are ready to get back to exploring, walk from the playground to the nature center located at the back of the park. As you are walking along the sidewalk, you’ll notice a historic sign. On the left is an old brick road. This brick road is 16 ft wide and ran through Jacksonville. The road was used during World War 1 for the workers from Jacksonville going to Camp Joseph Johnston. The road was heavily used during rush hour which resulted in constantly repair holes. The road is one way and would switch directions during morning and afternoon rush hour since it was so narrow.

Continue to walk down a little further, you will come up to the nature center. The nature center hours vary.

Address: 7000 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244

Post/information from Visit Jacksonville, full article linked below.