A loop trail system leads through a live oak hammock that connects to the Sugarfoot Prairie Conservation Area.


Click here for a map

The Cellon Live Oak was named for its former owner, Ralph W. Cellon, and now sits in Cellon Oak Park, Owned by Alachua County, three miles south of LaCrosse, Florida.  It’s the largest live oak tree in Florida, and is a nice place for kids to play.  There are large limbs parallel to the ground that kids can easily climb on, and a large field in which to picnic.


Click here for for more information
Click here for a map

This recreation park was developed for community use by Gainesville Regional Utilities.   The park includes a large network of nature trails that wind around and behind the park's soccer fields and its numerous ponds, streams, waterfalls and fountains, all of which are supplied by reclaimed water.   The pond is a popular birding spot, so keep your eyes peeled for waterfowl and other winged wildlife.


www.gru.com/OurCommunity/ParkProjects/chapmanspond.jsp

Gainesville's Natural Treasures can be found throughout the city.   You can stroll along a trail deep in the woods, walk a boardwalk edging a black-water stream, take a class to become familiar with the fascinating wildlife, or step back in time over 130 years on a ten-acre Living History Farm.   Visit the spring where Gainesville began or ride your bicycle or horse on the Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail.   Enjoy some of the best bird watching in North Florida, observe butterflies busy at wildflowers, and hear frogs calling for mates.  Nature parks are an integral part of the reason Gainesville is one of the best places in the U.S. to live... there is a sanctuary within minutes of wherever you are in the city.   See these treasures for yourself... get to know your nature parks!

Click here to learn about all the nature parks in Gainesville.

Community gardens are neighborhood green spaces set aside for local residents to grow vegetables for their own consumption, who otherwise might not be able to.   The City of Gainesville's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department began its first Community Gardens Project at SE 4th Avenue in 1998.   Since that time, the program has grown to five gardens around Gainesville through the joint efforts of the City of Gainesville's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department and the dedicated efforts of the citizens of Gainesville.   The programs mission is to provide a place where the citizens of Gainesville can participate in a healthy outdoor activity that can also improve public nutrition and the neighborhood environment.   The program is managed by staff, but the individual gardens are coordinated by dedicated volunteers.

Go to the City of Gainesville website.

In the midst of north Florida's sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest.   Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices in the ground, and lush vegetation thrives in the shade of the walls even in dry summers.   A significant geological formation, Devil's Millhopper is a National Natural Landmark that has been visited by the curious since the early 1880s.   Researchers have learned a great deal about Florida's natural history by studying fossil shark teeth, marine shells, and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals found in the sink.   Visitors can enjoy picnicking and learn more about this sinkhole through interpretive displays.

Hours of Operation:9:00AM to 5:00PM, Wednesday through Sunday
Admission Fee: $2 per vehicle (limit of 8 people per vehicle)


www.floridastateparks.org/devilsmillhopper

Cofrin Nature Park, Depot Park, Hogtown Creek Greenway, Micanopy Native Heritage Preserve and Mill Creek Preserve
Since 1991, the Department of Community Affairs and Florida Communities Trust have assisted Florida communities by providing grant funds to acquire land for parks and open spaces.   As Florida continues to grow, these lands are crucial to protecting the state’s precious natural, cultural and historical resources.   Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever funds awarded by the Trust have resulted in a collection of local and regional parks as diverse as Florida’s communities - from beachfront parks like Loggerhead Park Preserve in Melbourne Beach to such urban parks as Tampa’s Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park.  Each of these wonderful locations offers a wide range of recreational opportunities while providing Floridians and visitors with the chance to experience nature first-hand.

Click here for information on each park

The Florida State Parks System encompasses approximately 158 parks, including everything from museums and cultivated gardens to whole island and immense wild areas.   The vast majority are open to visitors and campers. The Florida state park system designates its acquisition into about a dozen categories: Florida state preserves, Florida state parks, Florida state historic sites, Florida state archeological sites, Florida state museums and others.   Florida State Parks are open from 8 a.m. to sunset everyday of the year.   However, many museums, visitor centers and historic sites are closed two days a week and their hours may vary.   The park entrance fees vary throughout the state and are subject to change.

Click here to go the website

Third Thursday of the month 9:30AM - 11:00AM
Ages baby to 12 years old
Ages 4-12 are $5 | Kids under 4 are FREE

Join Gainesville Ecotours as part of Children and Nature Network and Get Outdoors Florida to get kids in nature and provide exercise! Gainesville Ecotours will plan an environmental education program for kids. The program will provide for some guidance for parents as they guide their child through hiking trails, with most time allotted for free play and hiking in nature. Examples of educational programs include nature scavenger hunts, nature photography, using the five senses to discover nature, examining plants, insects, and wildlife, and more. Adults must accompany their children. The club will meet at different City of Gainesville Parks, Alachua County conservation land, or water management district conservation areas each month.

Terri@GainesvilleEcoTours.com
www.GainesvilleEcoTours.com

Gainesville's trails are connected.   The Waldo Road Greenway, Depot Avenue Trail, Downtown Connector, and Gainesville-Hawthorne trail can be used to provide a 22-mile (35 km) continuous bike trail from the Gainesville Regional Airport to Hawthorne.
Click here for more information

Gainesville Depot Avenue Trail 2.1 miles (3.4 km), paved
This trail follows a former rail corridor through residential and industrial areas in southeast Gainesville.   It connects to the Gainesville-Waldo Road Greenway on its eastern end, allowing for an extended trail experience.   These trails are part of a growing network that will ultimately provide access to the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail State Park via the Gainesville-Downtown Connector.
Click here for more information

Gainesville- Downtown Connector 1.8 miles (2.9 km), paved (under construction)


Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail 16 miles (26 km), paved (asphalt 10' wide)
Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail State Park stretches 16 miles from the City of Gainesville's Boulware Springs Park through the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area.   As such, the trail takes you through some of the finest natural areas in north central Florida.   It is wooded and quiet even though it travels close to busy highways and country roads.   The entire trail is a pleasure to ride, and there are even a few hills to climb and speed down.   If you take your time and visit La Chua trail in Paynes Prairie, you might even have an opportunity to see bison, wild horses and sandhill cranes.
Click here for more information
www.floridastateparks.org/gainesville-hawthorne

Parking is provided at three trail heads:
3300 SE 15th Street in Gainesville, at Boulware Springs City Park
7902 SE 200th Drive, off of CR2082 west of Hawthorne
2182 SE 71st Avenue in Hawthorne

Primitive restrooms are located at mile markers 1.0 and 6.6.


Kermit Sigmon Trail - Paved
Named for a local doctor, the trail leads west past both Shands and Veterans hospitals, and hospital employees use it as a commuter corridor.   Although the route continues another two miles west, it's probably best to end your trip here; the Archer Road crossing poses a significant hazard, and its narrow sidewalk flanks the wrong side of the road for westbound cyclists.
www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6167133

Gainesville-Waldo Road Greenway -2.6 miles (4.2 km), paved This nicely landscaped trail follows a former rail corridor through residential and industrial areas in southeast Gainesville.   It connects to the Gainesville-Depot Avenue Trail at its southern end, allowing for an extended trail experience.   When renovated, the Old Depot will provide trailhead access to the trail.   In the meantime, access is available at many crossroads running the length of the trail from the Shands Hospital area to the trail's connection to the Gainesville-Waldo Road Greenway.

Click here for more information

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices.   The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.   Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.

www.geocaching.com

The Great Florida Birding Trail (GFBT) is a program of the FWC.   At its core is a network of 489 sites throughout Florida selected for their excellent birdwatching or bird education opportunities.   This 2000-mile, self-guided highway trail is designed to conserve and enhance Florida's bird habitat by promoting birdwatching activities, conservation education and economic opportunity.   Check the website for trail locations in your area.

www.floridabirdingtrail.com

To give back to all those hard working mothers, Kanapaha offers free admission to mothers of all ages on Mother's Day.
To give back to all those hard working fathers, Kanapaha offers free admission to Fathers of all ages on Father's Day.
And remember, children under six are FREE everyday!

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ½ mile paved walkway.  These include the state's largest public display of bamboos and the largest herb garden in the Southeast.  Some of Kanapaha's gardens are organized taxonomically; others demonstrate principles of ecology or natural selection.  Kanapaha's signature plants include a premier stand of Chinese royal bamboo (Wong Chuk), and--during the warm months--giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums.  The months offering the most color are June through September.  There is a special garden just for children as well as a butterfly garden and several mazes to play in.

kanapgard@aol.com
www.kanapaha.org

Lake Alice is a signature feature of the University of Florida campus.   It is a proven sanctuary to alligators as well as many birds.   On Lake Alice's northern side, there is a boardwalk that leads visitors through the woods and swamp to a viewing platform to see live alligators and turtles.

Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining navigational skills and rubber stamp artistry in a charming "treasure hunt" style outdoor quest.   A wide variety of adventures can be found to suit all ages and experience levels.  There are over more than 15 letterboxes hidden around Alachua County alone!

www.letterboxing.org

Saturdays 9:00AM - 4:30 PM
All Ages
FREE

All Morningside Nature Center Programs have paused for the summer and will resume in September.

Living History Days: Step back in a time when the roosters’ crow and the rising sun, not an alarm clock, welcomed a new day!   The Living History Farm comes to life with staff interpreting day-to-day life on a rural Florida farm.   Sample biscuits, fresh butter and a slice of life from 1870!   The heritage breed farm animals are fed twice daily around 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. FREE.

The Living History Farm is open to the public from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday.
Morningside’s Living History Farm is a ten-acre re-creation of a single-family rural holding in the year 1870.  The Farm centers on the McCarroll’s, an Alachua County Irish immigrant family who built the oldest of the structures: Hogan’s Cabin.  The farm includes the 1840’s cabin, 1900’s board and batten kitchen, 1880’s twin-crib barn, Half-Moon one-room school house, reproduction out-buildings, heirloom garden and field crop areas and live heritage breed farm animals.  You can step into the life of an 1870’s family during special events and programs.

Barnyard Buddies, Frogs and Friends Fridays and Living History Days are suspended until September. Take a cool break and visit one of the many nature parks in the City of Gainesville! Gainesville’s premier nature park, Morningside Nature Center is open daily 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (May–Oct), has more than six miles of trails that wind through sandhill, flatwoods, and cypress domes. The park has wheelchair accessible restrooms, ample parking, and it will be sure to become a favorite destination. The Living History Farm is open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. A Cell Phone Tour will guide you through the Living History Farm. Visit today and find your favorite nature park!


www.natureoperations.org

Located along the banks of the scenic Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, the park features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps, and sandhills.  As the river courses through the park, it disappears underground and reemerges over three miles away in the River Rise State Preserve.  One of Florida's first state parks, O'Leno was first developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.  The suspension bridge built by the CCC still spans the river.  Visitors can picnic at one of the pavilions or fish in the river for their dinner.  Canoes and bicycles are available for rent.  While hiking the nature trails, visitors can look for wildlife and enjoy the beauty of native plants.  The shady, full-facility campground is the perfect place for a relaxing overnight stay.


www.floridastateparks.org/oleno/default.cfm

Payne’s Prairie is biologically, geologically, and historically unique.  This park became Florida´s first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark.  Over 20 distinct biological communities provide a rich array of habitats for wildlife, including alligators, bison, wild horses, and over 270 species of birds.  Exhibits and an audio-visual program at the visitor center explain the area´s natural and cultural history.  A 50-foot-high observation tower near the visitor center provides a panoramic view of the preserve.  Eight trails provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling.  Ranger-led activities are offered on weekends, November through April.  Fishing on Lake Wauberg is allowed and a boat ramp provides access for canoes and boats with electric motors.  Gasoline powered boats are not allowed.  Full-facility campsites are available for overnight visitors.


www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie
www.prairiefriends.org
www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/north/trails/paynes_prairie.htm

While hiking through San Felasco Hammock Preserve you will see changes in elevation and limestone outcrops that create 18 different biological communities, including sinkholes, sandhills, creeks, ponds, and upland longleaf pine forests.  The preserve also hosts rare plants and a several recognized hardwood "champion trees".

You may see white-tailed deer, gray foxes, turkeys, and perhaps even the elusive bobcat, along with many species of songbirds.  Summer breeding birds include wood thrush and various species of warblers, with fall and spring migration bringing another host of warbler species.  The winter months also bring in migratory waterfowl.

Park hours: 8 until sundown, 365 days per year
Admission: $2 per vehicle.

www.sanfelasco.net

Kids love to learn and explore.   Here are just a few ideas to make your hikes more interesting and enjoyable.   These scavenger hunts will also help to improve your child's observation skills and will increase their interest in and understanding of our natural environment.

www.scavengerhuntsforkids.com
www.scavenger-hunt-guru.com
www.parenting-our-kids.com
www.lovetheoutdoors.com

Located directly behind the Museum, the park is a joint effort of the Matheson Museum and the City of Gainesville.   The park is an outdoor museum in the heart of the city.   A Walk Through History, a 12-panel local history exhibition, lines the walkways that meander through the Park; the area?s natural history is interpreted in native plant clusters and a formal Southern garden.   Also as a neighborhood and community space, the park offers quiet benches along Sweetwater Branch Creek, the city's original eastern boundary, and a children's playground.

www.trails.com/city-trails.aspx?keyword=Gainesville&state=FL
www.americanhiking.org
www.floridatrail.org
www.outdoortravels.com/biking_fl_overview_gains-hawth.html
www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/

S-Connection Aerial & Equestrian Arts (SCAEA) has offered aerial dance classes in the Gainesville area since 2008 and is now opening classes for kids! Owner/operator Corey Souza has over 10 years of teaching experience and has performed with circuses in the US and Brazil. Students will learn to fly like the acrobats in Cirque du Soleil with instruction on trapeze and aerial silks. SCAEA is located at Two Hawk Hammock in Williston. Two Hawk Hammock is a recreational center offering lodging, horseback riding, performing arts and crafts courses, summer camp and event hosting.


csouza@sconnection.net
www.twohawkhammock.com

The University of Florida Natural Area Teaching Laboratory (NATL) is dedicated to teaching students and the public about ecology and biotic diversity.   It consists of 60 acres in two contiguous tracts in the southwest corner of campus.   The larger tract, known as NATL-west, has 49 acres and is west of Natural Area/Surge Area Drive.   The smaller tract, known as NATL-east, has 11 acres and is east of Natural Area/Surge Area Drive.   NATL has significant samples of three upland ecosystems characteristic of north peninsular Florida: hammock, upland pine, and old-field succession.   It has a variety of wetland habitats, including a 9-acre marsh in NATL-east that drains into a pond and sinkhole in NATL-west and a 3-acre ecologically engineered retention basin (SEEP) in the northeast corner of NATL-west.

Visit the website for maps and guides to the 4 Florida ecosystem trails.
1- Wetlands - ¾ mile
2- Upland Pine - ¼ mile
3- Old Field - ¼ mile
4- Hammock - ¼ mile


natl@ufl.edu
http://natl.ifas.ufl.edu

Next to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, there is a labyrinth made of rocks.   The labyrinth is one of the oldest contemplative and transformational tools known to humankind, used for centuries for prayer, ritual, initiation, and personal and spiritual growth.   Its archetypal image is found throughout history in cultures including Ancient Egyptian, Cretan, Celtic, Scandinavian, and Native American.   The most famous labyrinth from ancient times was the Cretan one, the supposed lair of the mythological Minotaur which Theseus slew with the aid of Ariadne and her spool of golden thread.   When early Christians could not make their pilgrimages to Jerusalem, the church adopted labyrinths to offer the faithful a way of fulfilling their sacred vows.   Christians made their pilgrimages to Chartres, Rheims or Amiens to complete their physical and spiritual journeys in the cathedral labyrinths.

The UUFG labyrinth is modeled after the one in the stone floor of Chartres Cathedral, just outside of Paris, France. Inlaid into the Cathedral floor in 1201, the Chartres labyrinth has eleven concentric paths that wind through four quadrants of a circle.   As you journey through our labyrinth, to its center and back, we trust that you will rediscover a long forgotten tradition made new in our day.


Click here for more information