The Most Delicious Parks in Jacksonville

Cherry Street Park

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"It's not the sexiest little park ever, and doesn't offer a thing as far as amenities, but it is a little gem at the end of a great street that offers a fantastic riverside view of downtown. Sure, it's a little sandy in parts, only (--------) yeah big, littered with cigarette butts at times, but it has some advantages. It's got a pretty big sea (or I guess river wall) so you feel a little safe from falling in, and during the 4th of July, if you aren't looking to deal with the huge crowds downtown, head on down with a blanket.... the views are amazing. (Locals know about this, so there will be a few that have beat you down there.) There are a few trash cans in case you bring some snacks or beverages with you, and it's a great place to take my pup so she can sniff at the water. And I see people fishing all of the time, so if that's your thing, bring a pole and some bait!"

Balis Park

★★★★★ 4.7 (9)

"The Christmas tree has been turned on! It is beautiful and all must come see it. Balis Park is in the the middle is the San Marco "Square". It is a small but wonderful park for all to enjoy. They sometimes have special events out here. I took a picture of a Gator last time I was out here. It was right before the Georgia/Florida game. They have three beautiful Lion statues, a rectangular fountain, a wonderful gazebo, benches and table/chairs to sit & talk, read a book or just sit & relax. The best part of this park and San Marco is the roundabouts to slow the traffic down and has become very Pedestrian friendly. The rest of Jax. should take notice of this."

Forest Ridge Village

★★★★☆ 3.7 (3)

"Home sweet Home, Island life at its best! Only steps from the beach, and offering amazing amenities. This privately owned condo community is the essential in beach living. Forest Ridge offers flowing water features that can be enjoyed from your private deck & inside your opened window condo. Laying in bed listening to the soft water flowing along with the ocean breeze is this island lovers paradise. Amenities include private parking, tennis courts, fully remodeled pool area w gazebo, dog walks & a small dog park, picnic areas with a large fire pit, grilling stations throughout the community, a car/boat wash area, outside shower area for returning from a sandy beach experience, several small lakes which include large water features, walk-ways and decking from area to area, a very well kept children's park area, beautiful shrubbery and various abundant fragrant flowering bushes. The large trees and full foliage provide a beautiful canopy of shade. Gardens that encourage one to enjoy the nature and beauty that surrounds. The pool area has recently been fully remodeled and upgraded, providing new decking, tile, and other upgrades. It's a beautiful area! Enjoy!!"

Dutton Island Preserve

★★★★★ 4.8 (13)

"What a great hidden area right off Mayport road. Primitive and well hewn trails through the woods and along the larger creek areas of the intracoastal. You can spend a couple of hours exploring all the nooks and crannies of this well maintained area. Looks like there are campsites available and plenty of spots for fishing. Various docks for kayak or paddleboard launching. Just a really beautiful area for the entire family and furry friends."

Dames Point Park

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (11)

"This park is definitely off the beaten path. It's not easy to find, so you just have to kinda know how to get there. As mentioned before, it's located underneath the Dames Point Bridge. The views are absolutely beautiful here, both of the river and the bridge. There are picnic tables, so it's a nice place to bring lunch and have a bite while enjoying the scenery. There's no playground for the kiddies, but there is plenty of room for them to run around.There are restrooms here which aren't the cleanest in the world, but they are clean enough.Believe it or not, there are actually a lot of trees at this park that aren't palm trees (although the palm trees are most certainly there), so depending on the time of year, you may find yourself literally wading through leaves. Great place to watch a sunrise or sunset. There usually aren't very many people here; often there's no one else here. This makes for a romantic spot as well.Don't forget to bring your camera to get some great shots."

Friendship Fountain

★★★★☆ 4.2 (45)

"I have been coming here since I was a little girl. We have almost lost the fountain over the years, due to expensive repairs needed to keep it going. As I write this, it might be off or broken again. I pray they keep it. It is so beautiful during the day and especially at night. All of the bright lights and colors is very nice. My husband, Ernie and I got married here on Easter Sunday 8 years ago. I have happy memories here. I pray the city does not tear this down too!"

Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park

★★★★★ 5 (7)

"Was looking for a nearby park to kill an hour of time with my kiddo. The physical structure of the park is small but there are a lot of benefits to this park. There is a large flat green field that would be perfect for frisbee or even a game of a football, kickball or other sport. There is a pavilion that can be reserved with the city that has 4 picnic tablEs underneath. There are swings for infants and adults. There are even men and women restrooms which is rare to find at public parks. I went inside and they were clean looking even having toilet paper! What I think makes this park even more special is there is a kayak/canoe launch and hiking trails. The trails appear to be well maintained and the larger ones my stroller was even able to do. The park is a shaded and overall it is just a beautiful hidden spot."

Baker Skinner Park

★★★☆☆ 3 (1)

"This is a small park that is mainly about sports fields. Since they are geared for team sports, there is plenty of parking in this park. It is Pleasant enough and a good place to chill out for a minute or two. In addition to the fields, there is a small playground for children. They also have bathrooms on the grounds."

Blue Cypress Park

★★★★☆ 3.5 (16)

"This is a great place for people, children, dogs on leashes, for hiking, fishing, picnicking, or for sun and fresh air. A little bit of country right in the middle of the big bold city of Jax. I love this place and have been coming here for many years. There is no charge to enter. Fish off the docks or off the shoreline. See a dolphin or others once in a while. Check it out, you won't be disappointed."

Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park

★★★★☆ 4.4 (15)

"I've been coming to Van Zant Park since moving to Clay County years ago. It's a nice big park that offers amenities and green space with a good blend.We were first drawn here by the Frisbee Golf course. It's well laid out & mostly shaded. Since first coming, they've added another 18 hole course.Years later, I planned a Scout Fishing Tournament there. Their pond is a kids-only pond (parents can fish with their kids) and supposedly it gets stocked by FWC. We didn't catch any fish - but we had a great time. The covered pavilions are very nice & well maintained. The park has basketball & tennis courts and a great playground for the little guys. Great place for an afternoon family outing!"

Murray Hill / Four Corners Park

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (4)

"This is a nice park in my neighborhood that I've been coming to for about 10 years. It has a small playground for kids and is pet-friendly complete with doggy poop bag stations and plenty of room for Rover to run. I particularly like the spaced-out park benches for a nice rest from walking the neighborhood and privacy when you're off Pokémon hunting. The paved walking/jogging trail is perfect for visitors with plenty of shade and trees during the hotter months. I don't believe there are any restrooms or water fountains around or at least I didn't see any. Just be careful in the early evenings and when the sun goes down because I have heard some unsavory stories regarding sketchy characters hanging out here over the years. Always be aware of your surroundings...."

James Weldon Johnson Park

★★★★☆ 4 (52)

"All of this Hemming and Hawing has led me to lose my photos of this lovely park right next to downtown.Pretty nice park near downtown Jacksonville and I like it and I've hung out here a number of occasions. It's not too safe late at night, as I found out the hard way, so be careful if you're here in the middle of the early hours."

Nocatee Landing

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"This is awesome! Launch your kayak or canoe here, fish, or just go for a walk! They have two bathrooms and a water fountain. Plenty of parking. You can walk north or south along the intracoastal. Absolutely loving this amenity. Highly recommend."

Riverfront Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (6)

"Small yet beautiful riverfront park by the St Johns River. This park boasts nice walking/hiking/biking trails, upfront parking, clean outside restrooms and many more.A well-kept park that offers beautiful views of the St John's River from any direction. There is a dock for fishing (catch & release only). It has one long pier and 2 observations decks. There is even an Kayak launch area (handicap friendly).There are much to love about this park. I particularly love going here because of its small, slalom coursed style mountain bike dirt trails. It definitely different from most trails I've ridden. The trails are nice and flowy, where you can definitely ride fast. And towards the end of the dirt trail leads you into the back of the woods that carries of small segment of little trails. There is even a graveled beginner course for those wanting to get a feel of what the whole trail is about.So if you're looking for a park that's nice, tranquil and peaceful, where you can catch some Zen time, or if you're just out to get some great pictures or in the mood for a good walk...then this is the place for you. It is a great place to visit with or without kids."

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

★★★★☆ 4.1 (142)

"I don't normally like the beaches of Jacksonville, but I didn't know about this one. It is so beautiful and so clean and not crowded. The beach sand is so white and the water is really clean and pretty. It's also a state park so it has other amenities like a playground, a water pad, a picnic area, snowcone vendor, it has camping sites and places to fish. It really has something for everyone. Little kids, big kids, just a really great state park, worth paying for sure."

Garden City Park

★★★☆☆ 3 (2)

"Park has been updated with a new playground set swings and it's fenced in. Right next to a school"

Losco Regional Park

★★★★★ 4.5 (33)

"One of my favorite local park. It has just about everything... huge Soccer Fields, Hiking/Biking Trails, Pave Walkways, Playground and Splash Park for kids, Restrooms, Park Pavilion. Great scenery, nice and tranquil for a park. Losco Park has a 0.5 mile paved pathway that wraps around the park, as well as a 5K route option. It is great for walking, running or just strolling in particular, with your kids and pets. Get that camera ready too, great for picture taking. This park received a lot of upgrades as of lately. The playground equipment was upgraded. That slide, however... it  goes fast and one of my concern with that is, the slide is metal (it gets hot in Florida, especially in the summer months). That would bid too well on a tushy of a youngin. A small Splash Park section was also installed. Great for young kids. And sadly, I do not see any more swings, which a favorite in the past. One of the soccer fields was also upgraded, as an artificial turf was installed. There are 3 other soccer fields (all grass) that can be used inside the park. On the side of the park, there is an entrance for a Hiking/Biking trail. For me, I find it perfect and more suitable for hikers because the trails and terrains themselves are all flat. There are a lot of Pine trees in the trails, so there lots of accumulation of pine needles, which makes for a slippery surface for mountain bikers, especially when making a fast turn. All in all, this park is always kept clean and well maintained. It is a spacious park, plenty of parking space"

Donner Park

★★★★★ 4.5 (4)

"I've been going to this park since my children were small and played softball. They always loved going here and I miss them being small whenever I'm there."

Verona Park

★★★★☆ 3.9 (7)

"A small narrow park that's great for walking the dog, going for a stroll, or letting the kids play. It's tucked into a long strip that makes it unique. I really enjoyed walking to this park daily to get some exercise when I lived in the area. It features a proportionally large open lawn, with a fair sized playground that is fenced. Admittedly this is an average park and not worth a long drive to visit, but is a great commodity for those living in the area. A little slice of peace between San Jose Blvd and St Augustine Rd.Unfortunately, I have noticed teenagers occasionally playing with airsoft guns in the park. I'm not aware of any altercations from it, but just a heads up."

Forestry Tower Park

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (10)

"I'm surprised no one reviewed this cute little park yet. It gets mega hot in Florida, so if you're itching for the outdoors but want some refuge from the summer heat, this is a great park to visit. Across the street is a convenience store, so you can get some quick eats and drinks for the kids and bring them over to enjoy in the park. There are plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the weather and watch the squirrels scurry about and birds in the trees. In the middle of the park is a covered area where parents can wait while the kids play on the equipment. There are slides and swings where kids can play. My son and I enjoyed our stroll around the park today. When I've come during weekday mornings, there have usually only been about 4 families or so."

Arlingwood Playground

★★★★☆ 3.5 (2)

"My son loves this playground. It's small so easy to keep an eye out for him and the kids who usually play here are super friendly. Kids usually make or break a playground and this one is top notch due to the kids who play here. We frequent this playground because it's near to burn some energy for our two year old"

St. Marys Waterfront Park

★★★★★ 4.5 (15)

"This is a beautiful park with lots of places to sit or walk. There are really cool swings (large bench-like swings) looking out over the water. There's a nice outdoor Amphitheatre and a pretty fountain. This would be a nice place to walk after having dinner or to watch the sunset. There are a few piers nearby to walk out onto and get a little closer to the water. It's a nice, relaxing atmosphere and I would recommend for families or individuals. Pets are welcome, too! There is a new restaurant getting ready to open n nearby so it may be fun to check out if you want a little day trip from Jax."

Black Creek Park and Trail

★★★★★ 4.6 (7)

"This place is definitely for all nature lovers and furry friends! My friend and I recently discovered a hidden gem - a dog-friendly trail offering paved and dirt paths for walkers and bikers alike. Lush Florida foliage surrounds the trail, creating a beautiful canopy of well-established magnolia, pine, and oak trees. It's like a secret oasis tucked between Fleming Island and Green Cove Springs, running parallel to 17/Roosevelt.Looking for a leisurely stroll under the shade or a more adventurous bike ride? This trail caters to all preferences. Restrooms and picnic tables are available for a relaxing pit stop, and ample parking ensures a stress-free start to your adventure.So, grab your water bottle, leash up your pup (if you have one!), hop on your mountain bike (or lace up your walking shoes!), and explore this hidden gem. It's the perfect spot for a refreshing dose of nature!"

Pirate Playground

★★★★★ 4.7 (10)

"Brought our son here today after a local recommended the park. It did not disappoint, only negative would be the leftover toys in the park as they are broken and dirty and don't belong in the park. This park is very comfortable and has handicap access and swings so I loved seeing that. It's a sensory type of park from the instruments to all the items on the park, highly recommend if you are visiting and need to kill an hour or two stop by!"

Lonnie C Miller Park

★★★☆☆ 2.5 (2)

"Was here for a community service event with my employer and we helped to clean the park, and add some new things as well. My wife and I both worked to create a hopscotch course that came out looking great. It was a great time and the park seemed to be in pretty good shape even before we got there. If I was in the area I'd go back."

Patton Park

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"Nice park with lots of space. Came for a relatives soccer game. Lots of potential and think slow because of covid. Nice lighting and clean grounds. Speed bumps are super vicious tho! Don't bring your sports car."

Murray Hill Park

★★★★☆ 4 (2)

"Great playground and water feature for the kids to play in. There is a baseball and softball field as well. Too much trash and biological remains. Could use a good cleaning."

Mills Field

★★★★☆ 3.7 (3)

"My son grew up playing baseball here and now my "grand-nephew" is now playing tee-ball. It does not look like much has changed or been upgraded, but still well maintained. With it being such a populous area, parking remains a challenge so arrive early when possible. Transition period between games can get a little crowded as people are trying to leave while others are trying to park. They have tarps over the spectator bleachers which is nice but as someone else shared, the no-see-ums can get bad during peak season."

Cradle Creek Preserve

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"Not too large- 1 large loop and a few side paths. Limited parking with about 4 spots. Open till dusk. Trail is mostly shaded."

Spanish Pond

★★★★☆ 4.2 (9)

"Autumn and I met with an Arlington Group for a Guided Hike with my Classmate and Ranger here, Craig Morris. I am so thankful for Craig's knowledge of this trail. Their were some senior citizen's on the hike, that had to turn around. I almost turned around too, but my dog gone pride would not let me do so! I will say and recommend, if you have not been on this trail before, you should go with an experienced person and or with a Ranger. You can easily get turned around, lost or disoriented. It is a wonderful hike, but also the hardest hike I've ever gone on. Across the street is a much easier hike, but it is long. I highly recommend you come prepared when you hike these trails. Bring at least one or two bottles of water. I used to bring my two boys here when they were little. Also, bring a hat. It gets very hot out here."

Stockton Park

★★★★★ 4.7 (26)

"This is a pretty cool little park (if you can find it) in the heart of Ortega. It is a quaint little hub to go fishing, have a picnic, take your kids out, shoot some photos, throw an event or just to be near the water. It's pleasantly equipped with picnic tables, swings, shaded areas and a gazebo for anyone who wants to get out in nature. A private and peaceful place to enjoy the day quietly people watching or reading on the grass. And best of all, it won't cost you a dime."

Fishweir Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (4)

"Local gem and unofficial golf course, dog park, volleyball court, soccer practice field and neighborhood gathering spot.Large rectangular park includes a basketball court (which sometimes hosts bicycle hockey), a playground, a baseball filed, a small forest and a few sprinkled benches. I use the park to play fetch with our pup. We stay towards the back part of the park and frequently encounter other friendly pups and their owners. While not an official dog park a neighbor has set up a watering station and the city has posted a poo bag station."

Oceanfront Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (13)

"Cute little park right on the beach. There is a jungle gym perfect for older kids. Ample parking, too."

Bull Memorial Park

★★★★☆ 4 (3)

"Nice, small park with all the amenities you would probably look for (playground, basketball court, tennis court & bathrooms). Parking wasn't terrible and you are a quick block or so from the beach! Pros: There are locks on the self-closing gates to keep the kiddos in from the busy, residential street. Lots of shade. Cons:Large sand area (I'm not sure if it's to play Bocce ball or a giant sand box) that is full of weeds and ants."

Howell Park

★★★★☆ 4.3 (3)

"Beautiful green space at the beach. It would be a nice spot to have a picnic. They also have posted information about the vegetation in the area."