Beautiful lake with access to picnic tables, hiking trails and so much more. You can watch your…read morekids play on the playground while you hold birthday parties, reunions and other activities.

This is a nice park with the water and gazebo, but I couldn't find a playground that they…read moreapparently have. The geese are cool for kids to see but lots of droppings around and has a smell. Could be cleaner. Also saw some homeless folks. All in all it's a good park but could use some work.

This is a place full of memories for me. There is a good Wikipedia article if you want to know the…read morehistory of what was originally Bull Pond and was used to water cows back when this area would have been "out in the country". My memories start in the late '50s when there was an annual Fish-a-thon around the lake. Imagine a bunch of children with cane poles surrounding the lake and trying to catch the biggest fish. Watch out for that hook! Sealey Elementary School (now the Tallahassee Police Department) was right there on 7th Avenue and we walked home around the lake after school. Sometimes we had to alter our route due to the frequent flooding of the lake that occurred and the usual resulting fish kills from the runoff that caused the flooding. Somewhere along the way the City of Tallahassee realized that Lake Ella wasn't much of a lake anymore and did the work necessary to end the flooding and make Lake Ella the stormwater control project it needed to be. There is now a sidewalk all the way around the lake for those that want a brisk walk or a leisurely stroll. Benches along the way are available. There is a gazebo on a spit of land that juts out into the lake. Lots of curbside parking is available. There is an old oak tree with limbs parallel to the ground that many a child (and some adults) have climbed all over. There is a small playground there with that oak. The American Legion Hall is on the edge of the lake. Many a Tallahassean has kicked up their heels to a variety of bands on a Friday or Saturday night there. The former Motor Court is now the Cottages at Lake Ella and several of those stone cottages house businesses that offer food and refreshments. There is a farmers market on Wednesdays. The only negative, for some people, will be the ducks that have made themselves at home. There has been a love-hate relationship with the ducks for as long as I can remember. Some people love to feed them but they can become a pest when their numbers grow.

Beautiful and peaceful. Lots to explore and lovely neighbors to chat with. Lots of ground to cover…read moreand the wildlife is amazing.

Very cute walking trails! Well kept and safe. Bathrooms and playgrounds at the parking area. Would…read morehappily return. Beautiful views.

Tallahassee served as Florida's First Capitol because it was located midway between St. Augustine…read moreand Pensacola. Lawmakers needed a central location as the journey from east Florida to west Florida was treacherous during the early 1800s. On a mission to find a mutually agreeable location, two sets of explorers met midway at former abandoned Native American settlement known as Anhaica. This became early Tallahassee which means Old Town (Talia+Hasi) in Creek/Seminole. The first Florida Capitol was a log cabin built in 1824. One hundred years later, a temporary replica was built. Another temporary full sized replica was built in 1974 for the sesquicentennial celebration. My dad was on that committee which inspired him to advocate for building a permanent replica for the bicentennial celebration in 2024. It was so interesting to hear about the process of building this most recent First Florida Capitol replica. So many people donated their time and energy. From sifting through historical records, to creating authentic floor plans when few existed, to donations of logs, to getting permits, it was a challenging to bring this project, a dream for my dad, to life. Having grown up in Tallahassee, I have always loved Florida history. It is nice to see a piece of history being brought back to life and to have my family play a role in that legacy. Florida is so different from when my grandparents moved to south Florida a century ago in the 1920s. I am happy to see history preserved while the city and state continue to grow. #2900

One of the best areas in Tallahassee right here! Cascades Park is a beautiful and sprawling park &…read moreleisure area close to downtown that's perfect for a walk, run, family outing or other activities in the fresh air. There are walking paths that loop around and through and must go for several miles. They have a small amphitheater in the middle where I'm sure there are performances and concerts here and there. A big splash pad is on one side, and I know the kiddos love that especially on a warmer day. They have a big playground on the other side, and there are some bathrooms as well just in case. Intertwined are some pond/ creek areas that add to the beauty of this park. It's a super lovely walk around, and my favorite part are the pillars towards one end that tell the history of Tallahassee- racial tensions, civil war and repair and more. It brings more light onto the capitol city and its roots.

The park contains a ball Field and lake for fishing. If fishing in the lake please remain in park…read morearea and not venture into yards of those homes around the lake.

Beautiful park and gardens to visit while in the Tallahassee area. I loved the beautiful, big oaks…read moreoverlooking the lake. The trails and flow of the park makes you feel like you're entering a secret garden. We visited in the winter when many plants and flowers were not in bloom, but it was still beautiful. I hope to visit again during the spring to see how the park truly comes to life.

Absolutely beautiful grounds with numerous photo ops. We were able to tour the residence as well…read moreand the docent was very sweet and knowledgeable. Would absolutely go there again if I lived nearby!

This outdoor escape owned and run by FSU is great way to take a break from studying to have fun and…read moreget some exercise. Hiking, kayaking, paddleboards . Ropes course, rock climbing wall and more.

The Rez is great! For FSU students (with ID) everything is free- parking, canoe/kayak/paddlebord…read morerentals. There is a little beach which is nice. It is a fantastic spot for students to relax and forget about school work.

This 71-acre park is presently open to the public. The park contains a boat ramp, restroom, picnic…read moreshelters, trail system, and parking lot.