A decent park during the day. Wells Park, located next to…read morethe Melbourne Auditorium and close to the public library, is a quiet, low-key spot that serves as a simple outdoor escape. It's not flashy or heavily updated--in fact, parts of it feel a bit run down--but it still has a certain charm, especially if you're looking for a peaceful place to walk, sit, or enjoy some time outside during the daylight hours. In the recent past I have seen lots of homeless there and would not feel safe there after dark. They recently posted signs I believe to counteract this problem and on this recent visit I did not see any on the south side of the park. The park features two small lakes that are home to a good number of geese and ducks. The times I have visited recently, they are almost always wandering around or lounging near the water. Kids and adults seem to love feeding them, though they can be a little bold when they're expecting food. In fact several of them came to visit as soon as I parked and stepped out of my car. There are a few picnic tables and shaded areas, though some of the infrastructure--like benches and walkways--could use a refresh. There is a fenced in playground that seemed decent with swings and slides and kids using them. Overall, during the day, Wells Park doesn't have fancy amenities, but it does offer space to stretch your legs, read a book, or enjoy a quiet moment by the water. Its proximity to the library and auditorium makes it a convenient spot for a quick break. It's not a destination park, but if you're in the area, it's a decent place to stop and relax during the day.

Wells Park in Melbourne is named in honor of William Twining Wells and his wife Nora who donated a…read more30 acre tract of land for the park in the 1920's. Mr. and Mrs. Wells were formerly from New Jersey and New York where Mr. Wells owned the Wells Rustless Iron Company. When they came to the Melbourne area Mr. Wells purchased a pineapple plantation on the beach. He built the couples Queen Anne house Green Gables in 1866 on the Indian River as their winter residence for the health of Nora who tended to get pneumonia every year in the harsh northern winters. It was the first home built in the area to have indoor plumbing and an indoor bathroom. On May 18, 2016, the home was added to the U.S. Register of National Historic Places. The Wells were very philanthropic and instrumental in the early foundation of Melbourne. The couple built the first library and donated the land for the building. They built a high school, also donating land and personally paying the teachers' salaries. In 1897 they donated the property for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Mr. Wells built the roads in Melbourne and brought the Florida East Coast Railway to town. The park is located behind the Melbourne Library. Walking/jogging paths in the park wind around picturesque ponds, one of which had a fountain in the middle of it. Park amenities include a pavilion, picnic areas with tables, and a playground. My favorite part of the park was the birds. It was filled with friendly geese, ducks, ibis, and endangered wood storks. I am especially fond of the adorable Pekin ducks. I absolutely loved seeing the wildlife here. A big thank you to the Wells for having the foresight to preserve this peaceful oasis of nature for the future generations of Melbourne.

While it's not fancy or brand new, it's a great option for a park in the Palm Bay area. It's…read morerelatively small compared to Palm Bay Park off Malabar and it doesn't have too many amenities but it still receives a solid 4. Young children can climb around in the play area while the older children play in the skate park adjacent to the play area. Seems like a great option for a small kid's party. Do keep a close eye on the kids as the park entrance is not fenced and is off of a major street full of cars!

A nice walking park around a lake - tastefully designed - still under construction…read more This is at the corner of Viera Avenue and Lake Andrew Drive. It has limited parking with about 15 car parking spots and several smaller spots that I assume are for golf carts. There is a building with restrooms. The same structure has 3 swinging benches and a long concrete bench that overlooks the lake the park is centered around. There is a concrete path that circles the lake but due to construction, you cannot currently walk the complete path. The west side of the walkway seems to have several wider areas where you can relax off the main path. The construction parts around the 30-acre lake include an Olive Tree restaurant that has the basic structure already built and fencing around it and one of the hotels that has many of the floors built. There are going to be many more structures built along the south side of the lake that are in the future and the reason that this part of the path is closed off. There is not much shade are you walk around the lake but it is a good flat path to get your steps in. Overall, this is a nice park to relax and enjoy the view of the lake on a pretty day.

I was driving through Palm Bay when I spotted a pirate ship on the side of the road so I had to…read morestop and check it out. The pirate ship is actually part of a playground for kids in Arc Park. Children can climb the ship and slide down I pirate ship as they live out their buccaneer adventures. This park also has benches, picnic tables, and port--a-potties. In the back of the park is a pond where I watched native Florida wading birds. Local anglers fish the pond for bass and bluegill. A sign in the park identifies it as a haven for sandhill cranes. They are a large species of crane known to frequent the edges of bodies of water. According to the sign they are listed as a state threatened species. They don't live in South Florida but I have spotted them in Stuart and above. While I missed the sandhill cranes I did spot some egrets and herons by the pond. This is such a nice neighborhood park. The pirate themed playground sparks the imaginations, there is a large field for unstructured play, and the pavilion is a fun spot for a cookout. Parents do have to keep an eye on the kids because while the playground is fenced in, the pond has no barriers.

Good Park For Kids To Unwind…read more It's a smaller park but a good spot to let the kids unwind. A Little Rock climbing wall is fine for them, too bad it's not just a bit bigger and a bit more.

Jan Lieson Crossroads Park is a nice enough park located across from a school and while it does not…read moreoffer a lot, it is a pleasant enough park and utilizes a bit of open space.

Small (but not too small) but pleasant park with several pavilions around a pond, tennis courts, a…read morebaseball field and more. It has its own parking lot and is well-maintained. I stopped here and ate lunch in my car (followed by a quick walk), so I was not here too long, but overall, I enjoyed my time here. I would definitely recommend this particular park.

Writing this for the pickle ball courts at Jimmy Moore Park…read more We came from out of town and, of course, we had to get some pickleball games in. A friend found this spot and we came after brunch to play. We knew that we had to pay to play but, to our surprise, you don't need to pay if you come after 12pm. The park was pretty big, as far as number of courts. I remember there being about 12 pickleball courts but can't remember how many tennis courts there were. Since we came after 12pm, which is the hottest time of the day, there weren't many people using the courts despite it being the weekend. The courts seemed to be very well-kept. There are bathrooms a little walk away but you need a code to enter them. There is also a water fountain but would recommend bringing your own water versus drinking out of it. Overall, a wonderful park to play pickleball in if you're in Melbourne!

Beautiful lake with a nice atmosphere and spacious view! Natural park with shaded sitting area for…read morefamilies or friends who are like family. A gem in the middle of this little city. One hundred percent recommended. Five Stars!

A nice park offering access to Lake Washington This park is…read morelocated at the western end of Lake Washington Road and just past the Melbourne Water Treatment plant. It provides access to the lake in at least 3 methods: a boat ramp, a floating dock, and a pier. There is a set of restrooms in a stand-alone building to the north of the entrance and on the east side of the park next to a parking lot. There is parking next to this building and just to the south of it that could fit about 40 spaces, There is also a lot to the south of the entrance and the boat ramp. The boat ramp has about 10 spots for trucks with trailers and another 7 in the southern lot. There is a playground to the north of the ramp and pier that looks like a couple of swings and a small jungle jim in a fenced enclosure. There is a walkway from the parking lot to the pier with about 3 small covered pavilions and 1 large one before you arrive at the pier. Overall, it is a nice park. It is not super fancy but it is functional. Enjoy

This is my favorite biking trail in the area. It is about three miles and upon exiting, there is a…read moregorgeous neighborhood that you can explore. I love the trees and relaxed feel of the path. There are plenty benches and cute spots to stop and take a break. I never feel as if it's too crowded, and always feel so relaxed and present when I go.

The Brevard Zoo Linear Park is literally what it sounds like. This is a park that shares some land…read morewith the Brevard Zoo, but is not part of the business. The park is public and free. It is truly linear in that it is a singular trail that's extends to the Pineda Causeway and back. The park trail has historical information along the way, as well as information about local wildlife. The trail takes you through classic Florida wetlands. It is quite popular and frequented by walkers, cyclists, and joggers. It is about 2.5 miles one-way, so about 5 miles round trip. Be prepared to have sun exposure. Also, it seems like a popular trail for dogs and their parents. There are benches interspersed throughout the trail and garbage cans for convenience. Today I walked the 5-mile journey and I will be back. It was a gorgeous escape from city life. The parking was convenient and it really is free. If you plan to do the full length of the trail, bring water. It can get hot because of the direct sunlight.