My review here is for Westside Park, not the recreation center…read more I have always loved this well shaded park. Growing up in Gainesville, it has always been a central location for picnics and outdoor Birthday parties. They have recently updated all of the playground equipment. But, my favorite are the old swings in the central portion of the park because they can withstand adults swinging on them*. There is nothing better than swinging on a hot day to cool off. The enclosed pool with high-dive platforms and water slide are also located withing the area and parking spaces for your car are plentiful during daytime hours on weekdays and early morning on weekends. You can also enter the Hogtown trails on 8th Avenue near here. I posted the address of the recreation center to give you an idea of where the park is located if using GPS. * The underside of the swing notes that they are made for children only, but they have been holding my weight for many years.

Awesome park, everything you would want. Tennis courts,…read morelarge playground area, basketball, baseball fields, etc. Big pool, lots of shade, one big water slide. Cheap rates, residence and nonresidence, same price for the pool, around $2.50. You can buy a season pass. Across from a nice trail with creek, we found some people looking for shark teeth. Yes, you read right. Dogs allowed but must be leashed.

This is a very tranquil place. The entrance is on a fast curve, so you have to be careful turning…read morein!! If you are on foot, or bike, you can enter from the sidewalk on 16th Ave, as you go down the hill past Colony Park. Colony Park is the subdivision with the curvy brick wall. As you go down the hill, on the right, you will see a small grassy area. There is no sign, so you'll have to be sharp!! This park is so very peaceful. There is a lazy creek that snakes though it. There are at least ten man-made bridges and decks that let you enjoy a nice stroll through nature. Lots and lots of birds will be sounding out, especially in the morning. You can walk your dog, bring some hot coffee, binoculars, camera, etc. You won't believe that you are in the middle of the city!! The word "enclave" comes to mind, as the mood in this park is almost magical and surprisingly isolated. You feel safe and peaceful. I am definitely going back. They even have doggy bag dispensers!!

Alfred A Ring Park is very close to town; it's a nice walk getting here :-)…read more Tip: The funds to preserve this small bit of greenery were donated by Mr. Alfred A. Ring, which is why the park bears his name There's bridge from the parking lot into the park proper which very much reminds me of Costa Rica; there are some pretty nice views to take in when you cross it.

This park is so relaxing! Even on a cloudy, overcast, windy day, it's still warm enough to take a…read morebike ride and gawk at the alligators and watch the cute turtles clamor for your attention. The walking path goes around the lake and towards some smaller ponds, trees, and vegetation. The pavillions provide shelter for family or group picnics. Restrooms avaialable!! Children in strollers, small bikes and even baby carriages can be seen with their loving caregivers who are getting out of the house for fresh air and peace of mind. There are a few restaurants here, if you get hungry, and a micro-brewry (First Magnitude) just about a five-minute walk away, if you are in mood for some delicious suds. Bring a blanket and have a picnic in the grass. Do some yoga, practice tai chi, or just sit at one of the benches and chat with a friend. This is a place to recharge your energy, so get ready to feel better!

We saw some alligators swimming around. Lots of turtles too. Bird watching is fun. The fountain is…read morepretty. They need to have an available washroom. The hours at the nearby bars are not convenient.

My favorite thing about this park is that I can run laps on the track (which is shaded in the…read moresummer, woohoo!) while my little guy plays on the playground! It sounds silly, but I don't like to just sit and stare at my kids playing, I prefer to *do* something. Since none of the equipment is very tall, I don't feel the need to hover either, which is nice. There is a basketball court in the middle, a smaller tot area under the trees where all the equipment is only waist high, water fountains, restrooms (that are unfortunately only open sporadically), and a covered pavilion with a few picnic tables. This is an accessible playground with a ramp right up from the parking lot. There is always plenty of parking too. Oh and it's sand, not wood chips, which my kids love so they can bring sand toys. One of my biggest factors in rating playgrounds is whether there are friends to play with and this one is hit or miss unfortunately, but I like this one nevertheless because it has something for all ages packed into a small area and it's not directly on a main/busy road. Note: The park is NOT LIGHTED at night, so don't plan on running laps or playing b-ball at night.

This is a great shady location for running and running related events like the summer FTC Junior…read moreCamps that has been 44 years in the community and sponsored by Dr. Robert Cade's wife, Mary. It's safe and also offers great accessibility for handicapped children. What a wonderful community park for our Gainesville citizens. The program begins June 12th and runs through most of July. Your child can attend on a weekly basis, multiple weeks, or the whole program( discount provided) Where else can you get quality running activities for $3.00 per day! Contact ftcjuniorchamps@yahoo.com for registration /information.

This place has so much! On one side there are three baseball/softball diamonds, on the other side…read morethey have BRAND NEW pickle ball and tennis courts, and other other, other side, a fenced-in dog park, a playground for kids, and a pavilion for picnics!! I haven't even gotten to the beautiful birds that live in this peaceful place! Their sweet songs and vibe make this a great place to chill! Bring a hammock, find some trees, and enjoy the breeze, or just walk around, or just lay in the grass! Anything you do here will contribute to your mood becoming more chill! Trust me!

I really like Tom Petty Park!! the Pickleball courts are great!!! The park is always clean plenty…read moreand places to sit down!

This is just about the most quanit and unassuming park in Gainesville. It is in the Duckpond area,…read moreclose to the Thomas Center. It's not big, there are no baseball diamonds or fields to play ball. It's in a quiet neighborhood, and easy to find. What it is great for is little children. Whether a newborn, toddler or preschooler, this place is perfect for parents with small children! Even one of the play areas looks like building blocks! You can let your child play in the sandbix, swing on a swing or just play on the climbing stuff. It is perfect to get out of the house and let your child explore without worrying too much about bike traffic or bigger kids, or anything elsethat you'd have to "watch out for". It is a small minimal park where you can relax and have quality time with your new family addition in the out of doors, breathing fresh air, with less worries on your mind. If you have small children, this park is for you!

This nice quiet historic city park located in the Downtown area of Gainesville offers a great…read morerecreational area with a range of outdoor play for children and families. This scenic green space has a great playground with swings, slides and a rock climbing attachment on the equipment with a shade structure. We walked around the small park and enjoyed the grassy area and magnolia trees. There is a picnic table but no bathrooms.

This is a park that is well off the beaten path, buried in the back of a small housing development…read moreoff of Newberry Road in Gainesville. There is a small parking area and then a couple of paths that lead into the park. It is but a short walk into the park itself, and I can see it as being a good place to take a dog for a walk. In the park itself there is a small play area for children, as well as a community garden where you will see various food plants being grown. It was a bit overgrown when I was there, but it is towards the end of summer and the way weeds grow right now it isn't all that surprising. The park includes a couple of vita-course implements for exercise, but nothing like some of the other parks in town that have full courses. If you are interested in a park that is well off the beaten path that few people even know of, this should certainly be on your list.

I was beyond pleasantly surprised by this park! Like many other parks, it lists a non-existent…read moreaddress. So we made our way to the neighborhood and just poked around a little until we found the northeast entrance at SW 38th St. There was only parking for one car here. About 50 yards down the paved path from the entrance, there was a fork in the road with a dirt path. The paved path straight ahead leads to private property. Another 50 yards down the dirt path, a clearing in the trees opens to a quaint little playground, a community garden, wide open space, and what appears to be neighborhood sand toys. During our visit, I walked the surrounding paths to discover a small parking lot off SW 40th St. We also had the MOST AMAZING experience with one of the neighbors that participated in the community garden. She invited my kiddos to help pull a turnip, a few carrots, and taste some edible flowers and herbs! It was such a special experience for my family. Wild Spaces Public Places is planning a renovation, closing for 6 weeks beginning March 2019. I hope they are able to keep the special feel of this hidden gem (maybe just add some restrooms)!