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Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs
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Nature Operations
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Events & Programs
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Education & Outreach
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Land Management
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Urban Forestry
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Support & Sponsorship
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| Please Note: The Duval Stormwater Park began construction at the end of October. This project is being lead by the Public Works department and should be completed by the beginning of May. For further information or details about this project, please contact John Veilleux at (352) 334-5070. |
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Discover Gainesville’s Natural Treasures: to learn about a nature park on this map,
please click on the park’s name and it will take you the park’s description on the same page.
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Discover Florida as it was!
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 blackwater 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!
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Nature Park Manners: Protection of the Nature Sanctuary
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- Be gentle and quiet. Noise keeps animals shy and hiding.
- Stay on trails for your safety and the protection of plants and animals.
- Be considerate of other visitors to the parks.
- A nice clean park is up to you. If you see litter on the trail, pick it up and throw it away.
- If you see something that needs fixing, let the park staff know about it.
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Geocaching Policy - Permit is required!
The Nature Operations Division (NOD) of the City of Gainesville’s Recreation & Parks Department (RPD) believes that geocaching is an activity that encourages visitation to nature parks and conservation areas. With proper oversight, geocaching can be compatible with NOD’s management goals.
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There's something for everyone in your parks. Download the Parks Matrix
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Parks - Discover Gainesville’s Natural Treasures
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29th Road Nature Park
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RTS routes 6, 15
1502 NW 29th Road
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
5 acres
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Situated in the upper Hogtown Creek basin, 29th Road Park features nature trails through upland mixed forest, slope forest, and bottomland forest along the shady banks of Hogtown Creek, Gainesville’s largest stream. Breathtaking views of fern-covered slopes beneath towering trees offer visitors a refreshing retreat from the frantic pace of the city.
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Alfred A. Ring Park
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RTS route 8
1801 NW 23rd Boulevard
Parking at Elks Lodge
Park hours
8:00 am—6:00 pm daily (Nov—Apr)
8:00 am—8:00 pm daily (May—Oct)
19 acres
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All entrances to the park are now open.
Over a mile of trails wind through upland mixed forest and slope forest, tracing the course of Hogtown Creek. A scenic overlook provides visitors a view of the confluence of Glen Springs Run and Hogtown Creek where the clear water from Glen Springs sharply contrasts with the tannic water of Hogtown Creek. Birds, gray squirrels, and other urban wildlife are abundant in the park. Visitors may walk or jog the trails, picnic under the pavilion, romp in the playground, or rest on a quiet bench.
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| Bivens Arm Nature Park |
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RTS route 13
3650 S Main Street
Park hours 9:00 am—5:00 pm daily
81 acres
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Bivens Arm Nature Park, a true natural treasure, is a series of wetlands and creeks, bordered by beautiful upland mixed forests, connecting the southernmost Gainesville creeks with the extensive wetlands of Paynes Prairie State Preserve. Visitors can enjoy the shaded family picnic grounds, the beautifully constructed observation pavilion overlooking the marsh, and the intricate trails that wind under shady live oaks and towering pines.
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Boulware Springs Park and Historic Waterworks
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RTS route 2
3300 SE 15th Street
Park hours
8:00 am—6:00 pm daily (Nov—Apr)
8:00 am—8:00 pm daily (May—Oct)
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The nineteenth-century waterworks building, located at Boulware Springs, once provided the water supply for the City of Gainesville. Boulware Springs produces approximately 194,000 gallons of water a day, which flows into Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Picnic facilities are available.
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Boulware Springs Nature Park
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RTS route 2
3300 SE 15th Street
Park hours
8:00 am—6:00 pm daily
(Nov—Apr)
8:00 am—8:00 pm daily
(May—Oct)
108 acres
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Boulware Springs is a trailhead for the 17-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail. Picnic facilities are available as well as an area for parking and unloading horses to ride along the state trail. The trail is largely used by hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. City staff and volunteers are actively restoring the degraded sandhill and upland pine forest north of the parking lot. Please contact 352-334-2231 for volunteering information.
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Broken Arrow Bluff
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RTS route 75
5724 SW 46th Place
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
9 acres
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Nestled between the beauty of Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and the sweeping vistas of Lake Kanapaha, Broken Arrow Bluff provides a glimpse into the mystery of Florida. Hidden under the spreading branches of mighty live oaks and upland mixed forest, towering limerock outcrops border a sinkhole which connects the lake’s surface waters to hidden aquifers beneath your feet. The abundant bird life that thrives in the marshy lake and surrounding forests provides a musical backdrop to the scenes of nature mirrored in water.
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Clear Lake Nature Park
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RTS route 20
5480 SW 1st Avenue
Walk or bike only on sidewalk—
no parking is available.
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
12 acres
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Bordering the extensive wetlands of Sugarfoot Prairie, Clear Lake Nature Park is quietly nestled between the old University Avenue communities and SW 62nd Boulevard. The trails in this small park invite the visitor to slow down and soak up the majestic sweep of ancient live oaks, the peaceful seclusion from Gainesville’s busy streets, and the musical chirping of birds hidden among the wetland fringes.
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Cofrin Nature Park
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RTS routes 5, 43
4810 NW 8th Avenue
Park hours
8:00 am—6:00 pm daily
(Nov—Apr)
8:00 am—8:00 pm daily
(May—Oct)
30 acres
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In the heart of urbanized west Gainesville, Cofrin Nature Park features a half-mile long hiking trail. Once a horse farm, much of this park is returning to forest through natural succession. Large hardwood trees are found in the forest along picturesque Beville Heights Creek, and seepage wetlands on the slopes above the creek support lush growths of ferns and wildflowers.
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Colclough Pond Nature Park
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RTS routes 16, 17
2315 S Main Street
Walk or bike only on sidewalk—
no parking is available.
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
5 acres
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A short walk on a shady trail leads to Colclough (pronounced Coke-lee) Pond where visitors can enjoy bank fishing and wildlife viewing. Along with the connected Colclough Pond Sanctuary, owned by Audubon of Florida, the nature park protects the pond’s shoreline.
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Flatwoods Conservation Area
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RTS routes 15, 24
2010 NE 31st Avenue
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
70 acres
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Mesic and wet pine flatwoods, along with a basin swamp and a cypress dome on the property, provide habitat for a variety of wildlife at Flatwoods Conservation Area. A mowed path along a series of drainage canals allows visitors to observe the natural communities found here.
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Green Acres Park
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RTS route 5
3704 SW 8th Avenue
Access from the dead end of SW 40th Street, just south of SW 6th Place
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
37 acres
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Green Acres provides a mix of recreational opportunities. A playground and open field at the center of the park provide for active recreation, while trails through the park’s xeric live oak hammock connect to nearby Sugarfoot Prairie Conservation Area, offering opportunities for quiet nature relaxation. The park also protects part of the Hogtown Creek floodplain.
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Gum Root Park
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No RTS routes
7300 NE 27th Avenue
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
369 acres
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Gum Root Park features trails through a variety of natural communities, including blackwater stream, floodplain swamp, xeric hammock, baygall, pasture, and pine flatwoods. Adjacent to hundreds of acres of state conservation land, Gum Root is a great location for birding and wildlife viewing.
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Hogtown Creek Headwaters
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RTS route 8
1500 NW 45th Avenue
The property is being developed; please join us for the Grand Opening in 2009!
Undeveloped—70 acres
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From former pinelands and majestic upland mixed forest to shady fern-covered wetlands where water slowly seeps from the ground to form the beginnings of Hogtown Creek, this 70-acre park protects a variety of natural habitats. The park was purchased with funds from the Florida Communities Trust and with a generous donation from Home Depot. Nature trails, a playground, a picnic pavilion, and other amenities are planned, providing options for both nature-based and active recreation. The park is anticipated to open to the public in 2009. Please visit this web page for updates!
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John Mahon Nature Park
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RTS routes 5, 43
4300 Block W Newberry Road
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
10 acres
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Located just off Newberry Road, John Mahon Nature Park features a loop trail through the forest. Visitors can enjoy upland mixed forest, hydric hammock, and former upland pine forest as they hike the trail. The park serves as a memorial to Dr. John Mahon, who lived nearby, and who worked tirelessly to preserve large areas of Paynes Prairie, San Felasco Hammock, and the Hogtown Creek Greenway as natural public lands. Dr. Mahon devoted a substantial part of his life to public service and was well respected and active with many conservation organizations.
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Loblolly Woods Nature Park
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RTS route 5
3315 NW 5th Avenue
Access from 34th Street
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
164 acres
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Trails and boardwalks provide shady routes for walking, biking, or jogging on this portion of the Hogtown Creek Greenway, considered one of the best birding spots in the county. Follow the trail connecting NW 8th Ave. to NW 34th St. past the picturesque confluence of Hogtown and Possum Creeks, or explore the ¼-mile boardwalk between NW 16th Ave. and NW 8th Ave. Restrooms and parking are available at the address shown above.
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Morningside Nature Center
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RTS route 11
3540 E University Avenue
Park hours 9:00 am—5:00 pm daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
278 acres
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Gainesville’s premier nature park, Morningside Nature Center, is one of the last remaining examples of fire-dependent longleaf pine woodlands in the area. More than six miles of trails wind through sandhill, flatwoods, cypress domes, and areas where native vegetation is being restored. Morningside boasts a spectacular wildflower display and opportunity to see a diverse array of wildlife. For a complete listing of programs and events please visit our ongoing programs and events pages on this site.
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Morningside Living History Farm
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RTS route 11
3540 E University Avenue
Park hours 9:00 am—4:30 pm daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and
New Years Day.
10 acres
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The Living History Farm at Morningside Nature Center brings Florida cracker family living in the mid to late 1800s to life again. On Living History days (Saturdays, September to May) farm visitors can observe daily life in 1870 as costumed staff interpret bygone days through chores and activities. Annual events at the farm include the Farm and Forest Festival in the spring and Cane Boil in the fall. For a complete listing of programs and events please visit our ongoing programs and events pages on this site.
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Palm Point Nature Park
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No RTS routes
7401 Lakeshore Drive
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
16 acres
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Reaching out from the surrounding shoreline, Palm Point is a true gem among Gainesville’s Nature Parks. Palm Point’s unique geographic location makes it a magnet for some of the most spectacular migratory and local bird populations. Brilliant wildflowers attract many native butterfly species, while Newnan’s Lake provides excellent opportunities for alligator sightings and some of the best bank fishing this close to town.
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Possum Creek Park
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RTS route 8
4009 NW 53rd Avenue
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
77 acres
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Possum Creek Park features mowed recreation fields suitable for ballgames, flying kites, frisbee, and other sports. Children of all ages enjoy the playground and the picnic pavilion. A jogging trail encircles the main field and scenic nature trails through the forest and floodplain of Possum Creek provide visitors the opportunity to quietly enjoy the natural world at their own pace.
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Split Rock Conservation Area
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RTS route 75
SW 20th Avenue—limited access by walking or bicycles only; no parking is available. To arrange for a tour please contact Nature Operations Division at 352-334-2231
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
241 acres
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Near the sinkhole where Hogtown Creek disappears into the Floridan aquifer, Split Rock Conservation Area protects acres of forest and wetlands. Forested areas include diverse calcareous hammock with limestone outcrops, sinkholes, and majestic oak and hickory trees. Split Rock also contains portions of Hogtown Prairie, a vast wetland marsh which is seasonally flooded by Hogtown Creek.
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Springtree Park
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RTS route 8
2700 NW 39th Avenue
Park hours from dawn to dusk daily
12 acres
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Springtree Park features a small playground and picnic area, as well as nature trails that pass through flatwoods with towering pines and fern covered slopes near Three Lakes Creek, a tributary of Possum Creek.
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Terwilliger Pond Conservation Area
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RTS route 20
460 SW 62nd Boulevard
Walk or bike only on sidewalk—
no parking is available.
Experience the view!
25 acres
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Located along the sweeping curve of SW 62nd Boulevard, Terwilliger Pond provides an ever-changing view of the beauties of nature. During times of high water, the pond explodes with color when the American lotus blooms and wetland birds arrive. As the waters recede, wetland birds depart and songbirds add a splash of color to the new plant growth that emerges.
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