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    Alfred A Ring Park

    4.6 (24 reviews)

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    John M.

    A hidden gem in Gainesville. It is a bit difficult to find, but when found, it offers an enjoyable walk through the tranquility of nature. There is a small picnic area, but for me the joy was the nature trail. It is not big by any means, but walking this path it is easy to forget that you are in Gainesville, that civilization is mere steps from you. I recommend here (that is, if you can find it). It offered me a respite from the daily ground and let me recharge for a moment, to just exist within the fold of nature and be me.

    View of the creek
    Helaina A.

    One of the most beautiful places in Gainesville. I love taking hikes here and splashing around in the creek. It's quiet and rarely crowded.

    Tiffany C.

    This is an easy little hike for the kiddos, sections are a bit rooty but overall problems with footing. Ring park is nice, probably my second or third favorite park along the Hoggtowne Creek Greenway.

    Coty S.

    Out of all of the Gainesville parks that I have visited in my life, this is by far my favorite. I believe it is fairly new, and they have recently cleared some new trails within this park. I recommend Ring Park to all of my friends, visitors to Gainesville, and new residents. The park's location is in the core of Gainesville with entrances on 16th and 23rd. Winding around calm residential areas are streams and hills to climb. I would say that about 20% of the park is well maintained boardwalks, and the other part if trails. There is also a very nice observation deck area that overlooks a large creek. At some of the nicer view points, benches have been installed. There is also a very small playground, wildflower garden with fountain, restrooms, and a covered picnic area. The parking is free and plenty in the Elks Lodge parking lot, as well as a sign to give you all of the info on the park and its dedication. I enjoy that the park is mostly shaded by trees, so you don't have to worry about sunburn. During the hotter months of the year, mosquitoes can be a problem. I keep from getting bit by wearing long sleeves and pants, and moving. If you stop moving, you will probably get bitten.

    Creek Area

    Definitely my favorite spot to go on nature walks. They have creeks that are slightly off the trails, I normally bring a book or my journal and enjoy the scenery and listen to the birds chirping. They also have small benches through the trail. Pet and kid friendly!

    Cheyenne C.

    I cannot believe it took me so long to come here! I had heard of it many times, but kept forgetting about it. This is one of my new favorite trails in Gainesville. It follows along the creek which runs through much of Gainesville. The trail is shaded, which is nice! There is a cute pond with benches and flowers on a section of the trail which is lovely. There is also a playground for the kiddos, which looked pretty fun! The trail isn't too long, but you get deep enough into the wilderness to get a nice break from reality.

    One of the paths in the garden area of the park.
    Mike W.

    This park is a gem and a case of "what's not to like?", really. I debated whether to award four or five stars, and I selected four only because it isn't fully remarkable and outstanding, however, it's still a very good park and unique. The county has done a great job of maintaining it as a natural habitat in a suburban residential area while placing enough improvements to make humans comfortable here. They've also included handy informational signs explaining the various ecosystems you tour through while walking around and the paths are well-maintained and boardwalks in good repair. There is a wildflower garden which is nice but could be bigger; a playground which seems like an afterthought and should be larger if they're going to fool with it at all, and some very lovely paths to walk around. One thing I really like is that these paths are as unimproved as possible--dirt and leaf-little aside from where a boardwalk or bridge is necessary--yet very walkable. I don't mind paths I have to scamper around on myself, but I like the idea that everyone from a seven year-old boy to a seventy year-old grandma can enjoy these paths. The Hogtown Creek cuts through here and it's a great place to see the creek and understand how it is essential for waterflow for Gainesville. In the nearby Forest Ridge subdivision, you can find a water tower and pumping station which I presume still pumps water for residential use from this watershed. Every time I've been here I've encountered people walking dogs and it's a great place for dogs, too, but please keep your dog on a leash or else ensure it is very friendly . . . one ran up to me today and seemed pretty aggressive and wasn't on her leash. So many people walk dogs here that if one is loose and easily excited, I can foresee a dog fight happening if it ran around the corner into another dog. You will almost always encounter other people (and dogs) here, so be aware of that.

    Andrew T.

    I was truly surprised by the "quality" of this park. It's truly a hidden gem as it's right off NW 13th ST on 23rd Ave (parking is at the Elk Lodge). They are dog friendly... I brought my Pit Bull and there were at least five other dogs. The stream that runs through the park is clean and cold... and is just shallow enough so that you can walk through it, so bring along some flip flops. There is a plethora of wild life and flowers.

    TX M.

    Love hiking through these woods! There are a few short trails to choose from with mixed terrain. Glenn Springs meets Hogtown Creek here and water levels/quality varies with the rain.

    Hidden jewels!!!

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    10 years ago

    Nice place to take a hike in the middle of town easy location not to popular so easy to get around

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    9 years ago

    soooo cool! my favorite in the city, outside paynes prairie that is...

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    Ask the Community - Alfred A Ring Park

    Can you walk in the water?

    Yes, you can, unless there was a recent rainstorm, in which case the water will be running too high and fast for wading.

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    Review Highlights - Alfred A Ring Park

    This is an easy little hike for the kiddos, sections are a bit rooty but overall problems with footing.

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    Kanapaha Park

    Kanapaha Park

    (7 reviews)

    I had been coming to this park since middle school and since moving back, I wanted to switch up my…read moregym routine with some outdoor walks on a trail. When driving into the parking lot, the parking lot is sufficient especially if you go in the early morning or afternoon. In the last 10 years, they have done some renovations where they have added these beautiful memorial plaques dedicated to fallen soldiers. What I thought was super cool is that I walked up to the World War II plaque and saw my great uncle's name! It was definitely a heartwarming touch and just proud moment. The plaques range from the American Revolutionary War to more recent times. I'm a huge history buff, so for me it's a plus for me. The park has a walking trail that's paved and smooth to walk on, that starts from the parking lot and has different workout station areas along the trail. There's a playground area and multiple pavilions with grills which are great for parties and cookouts/family gatherings. Also, there's a softball field, basketball courts, soccer fields, and also a roller hockey rink. I think this park is great for everyone, singles and families as there's something to do or just enjoy the great outdoor area.

    Very civilized park that caters to many local groups and the Gainesville community. It's a perfect…read moreplace to go for exercise without having to pay the gym memberships all while enjoying the great outdoors. They have basketball courts, volleyball, BBQ grills and covered tables for parties, a playground, hiking trails, and more all surrounded by wild animals and nature. The amenities offered at Kanapaha Park are free and great for neighboring communities to enjoy. FYI, there are peak times usually in the summer. The hours are: Mon - Wed: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Fri - Sun: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Tom Petty Park - She was pecking and pecking, and then she jumped right into the tree to her nest! Cool!

    Tom Petty Park

    (14 reviews)

    I am so glad this park is here! There are two names. Tom Petty Park is the baseball field and the…read morerest of it is Northeast Park....I think! Either way, this is where I come to do my birding! So many species of bird flit( warblers, sparrows, woodpeckers, and bluebirds, mostly) around here, ignoring all the construction that is going on near the baseball diamonds. It is a dog park, picnic area, or tai chi spot. You could have food under one of the pavilions, or just spread a blanket on the flat ground and ingest your deliciousness! Either way, it is a peaceful place to hang out in, walk through or enjoy activities with your dog or signif other! I come here at least three times a week!

    Tom Petty Park is a cool park named for Gainesville, Florida's favorite son. Tom Petty is probably…read morethe most famous person to come out of Gainesville and it is fitting to have a park named after him. The park itself is pretty nice. It offers plenty of parking, has a nice walking path, tennis courts, a baseball field and more. It was a nice place to spend a bit of time on a Tuesday mid to late afternoon. I enjoyed walking the trail and just chilling. There was a decent amount of people in the park and they all seemed to be enjoying Tom Petty Park, as well. Tom Petty was an iconic rock and roller with a string of hits including "Listen to Her Heart," "Running Down a Dream," "American Girl," "Don't Do Me Like That," "Here Comes My Girl,"Free Falling," and more. It is fitting that Gainesville, Florida remembers Tom Petty and honor him with a park.

    Hogtown Creek Greenway - Boardwalk through Hogtown Creek Greenway.

    Hogtown Creek Greenway

    (7 reviews)

    Gainesville is so lucky to have such a wonderful shaded enviroment to visit, free of charge. The…read moretall trees with moss blowing in the breeze are a beautiful example of what North Florida has to offer. The boardwalks are fairly new and are still in pristine condition. My favorite place to park the car is over at Westside Park and walk over, carefully dodging the traffic that blasts down 8th Avenue. If you enter the boardwalk on the North side of 8th Avenue there are breaks in the boardwalk to wonder the footpath trails and streams and sometimes you will end up on standing in people's backyards.

    Hogtown Creek Greenway is one of my favorite smaller wild areas in Alachua County and, what is…read moremore, it is close enough to the UF campus and several neighborhoods to make it easy enough to get to without a car. In fact, its trails--while not that long and sometimes flooded out in wet weather--are awesome for mountain biking. The Greenway came about because Hogtown Creek and its various tributaries flow through this lowland area of Gainesville and while there is a lot of development surrounding what has become the Greenway, the lands that compose the Greenway itself would not be suited to development and, more importantly, are essential to not develop given the fragile and unique ecosystems they provide. The City of Gainesville should be praised for its efforts not only protect these lands but to make them open to the public. Just controlling the flow of water in this area-brokering its ability to remain true to the natural course of these creeks while also ensuring that flooding in nearby neighborhoods isn't likely-must have been a huge challenge. To the south-west of the Greenway off of University Avenue, Hogtown Creek is directed through a grouping of canals and other engineered mechanisms to regulate its flow but when it emerges in the Greenway, it returns to its pristine natural status. The Hogtown Greenway, if you enter it via the Loblolly Facility, provides a broad trail that is adept for hiking or mountain biking. A boardwalk has been built to continue this trail over places that are normally (or at least very often) wet and it's a short hike through this area to the 8th Avenue entrance to the Greenway across from Westside Park. The stretch of 8th Avenue here is where the Gainesville Planet Monuments-one obelisk for each of the solar system's planets including Pluto and the Sun-are located so these are a nice diversion to examine up close if you've only driven by them before in a hurry. Within the woods of the Loblolly section, there's a lot to notice if you wish to take the time. An informative sign at the 8th Avenue side of the path notes that a diverse variety of wildlife from river otters to various birds to the rough green snake are found in this environment: You will have to be patient to see them, though. Mostly, like elsewhere in the region, you'll spot squirrels, birds, and perhaps a black racer or other snake. Lizards and insects are also omnipresent and on account of the latter, insect spay is a good idea as to keep the pesky ones off of your body and discouraged from sucking your blood. The boardwalk trail has a smaller off-shoot which leads down to the creek bed itself and makes for a great oppurtunity to examine a creek of this sort up close. The sandy banks, muddy yet peaceful waters of the creek, and canopy of trees above make for a very serene experience. If you continue across 8th Avenue to the opposite side of the street and walk a ways east, you will encounter another boardwalk that runs all the way from 8th Avenue to 16th Avenue, south to north. This boardwalk is a minor yet grand feat of engineering, having been perfectly crafted and took, I can only guess, a fair amount of cash to complete. For that reason if no other (and there are plenty of others) I hope that it's used by a lot of people. When I've been out on the boardwalk with my bike, I have nearly always encountered people walking their dogs or running here, so it seems I am not by far its only fan or user. The magic of the boardwalk is that it runs through a wetland environment which would be very hard to access otherwise and affords a pleasent walk with a great view of what much of this region's natural areas are like if you got right into the thick of them. One can, in theory, continue on 16th Avenue eastward to the Alfred A. Ring Park entrance and there explore even more of Gainesville's diverse ecosystems, depsite being a stone's throw from subdivisions and houses with swimming pools. The boardwalk therefore not only makes for a great means of getting from 16th Avenue over to 8th Avenue (or of course, the other way around) but also a nice diversion into the woods to just get away from your busy life for a moment or two.

    Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - Bald eagle!

    Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

    (62 reviews)

    A great place to start your adventure and exploration of the Prarie…read more I recently stopped by the Payne's Prairie Preserve State Park Visitor Center in Micanopy, Florida, and it was a fantastic experience! Yes, you do pay the $6 per vehicle entrance fee to enter the state park, and it's a bit of a drive from the main gate along the park road to reach the parking lot. From there, you walk a short distance to the center itself. But once you arrive, it's absolutely worth it. The Visitor Center is very nice and modern building with large floor-to-ceiling windows directly across from teh entrance offering great views of the prairie itself. The staff, specifically Brad, was very helpful, The sets of displays provide an good overview of the prairie's natural and cultural history through interactive exhibits. There is also a short film in the theater room about the location. I really liked the observation area and spotting scopes. One scope was perfectly trained on a bald eagle perched about two miles away. I thought that was an incredible sight! It made the whole prairie feel alive and gave us a real sense of the wildlife that calls this special place home (wild horses and bison live here too). There is a small gift shop, restrooms, and the building provides easy access to trails and an observation tower nearby. It's a perfect starting point to understand and appreciate this unique place. If you're in the Gainesville area, make time for Payne's Prairie. The Visitor Center is a hidden gem that turns a simple stop into a memorable visit. I highly recommended it.

    We took advantage of our Florida State Park Pass (saved us the $6 entrance fee) and took a drive to…read morethe park. This is a beautiful park to drive or hike. The drive in and to the visitor center is so pretty! The trees make a nice, shady canopy. You can see various animals from the observation tower, open range or hiking. It was late afternoon and hot when we were there so we didn't see much (one deer!) and I'm sure the animals were in the shade somewhere.

    Bivens Arm Nature - The same hawk flies to the post near the exit to let me get a better photo! Wow!!

    Bivens Arm Nature

    (8 reviews)

    Biven's Arm Nature Park is all the way down at the very end of South Main St. People speed down in…read morethis section, so be extra careful in coming and going! Once you get in the park, there is plenty of parking along with restrooms and a water fountain, as well. The picnic area, where you can rest or have a meal with friends and family, also has a large swing for recreation. This park feels somewhat isolated because of its location, and that adds a nice feeling of privacy. There is a large, covered deck with seating for about 50 people to have meetings, gatherings or even a wedding, if so inclined! The deck seems to have an overlook towards the end, but there is no view because of the overgrowth of vegetation. There is a lake there, but you have to go on the trails to get a good look at it. Bring a water bottle and fill it up, before you go hiking, as it gets pretty hot, depending on the season. It's not an amazing place, but it is quite peaceful and well-kept. If you are lucky, you might see a hawk or large woodpecker, as well as smaller birds.

    I have driven by this park countless times over the years and today, I finally took the time to…read morecheck this park out. Overall, this park is a nice enough place and while not a huge park, it was a nice enough respite from the day to day grind and hustle of the modern world. I enjoyed the nature trail and the overall feel of the place. It also had adequate parking. I would definitely recommend here and I will give it five stars overall. Go check it out for yourself if you find yourself in Gainesville, Florida.

    Alfred A Ring Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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