I found Gemini Springs Park in DeBary on Google Maps for a discover a new park day, so stopped in…read more It's huge, with 212 acres and 2 springs! You can hike the trails, kayak on the St. John's River, or fish in Lake Monroe or off the pier. Plenty of parking, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and a cool playground for the kids. Even dogs have their own park! Plus, there are primitive camping sites available. It felt super clean and safe, and parking was easy.

Such a beautiful park. It has trails, a play park for kids, two springs, a large dog park,…read morepavilions, bathrooms, a fishing Pier, a bridge over the water. It has the Spring House, which is available for rent. People have events there, even weddings. The bathrooms are basic. They need new picnic benches. Some of the wooden bridges need repair. Bring your own water.

Lake Monroe Park is a popular park located at the base of the Lake Monroe Bridge. It is known for…read moreits beautiful waterfront views of Lake Monroe which is a lake on the St. John' River. It also has a variety of recreational activities. Lake Monroe is almost 10 acres and a destination for fishing, boating, kayaking, and other water sports. The park reopened to the public in July of 2004 after a $1.2 million renovation and improvement project that included new restrooms, refurbished entrance road, floating fishing docks, picnic pavilions, and improved parking and a trailhead for the south segment of the Lake Monroe-Gemini Springs-DeBary Hall trail. The Spring to Spring Trail is so named because the 6.6 mile trail links a number of state and county parks that contain springs. This segment of the trail is known as the Pat Northey Trail, named for a local resident who advocated for protection of this natural corridor. Additional park amenities include a boat ramp that puts you on to the St. Johns River at the north end of the lake, a sand volleyball court, and a playground, but it was closed during my visit. The trailhead at the back of Lake Monroe Park is a draw for hikers because the bike path leads to a broad boardwalk through a cypress swamp. There is also a 25 site campground, one of the few public campgrounds in Central Florida. Each site has a picnic table, grill, and electric outlet and a bathhouse with hot showers is provided. I loved the lake view and despite the alligator warnings the only one I saw was a huge concrete one that you could take your picture with. I did see a red-shouldered hawk in the parking lot catching his dinner but he didn't feel like stopping and posing for a picture.

I cannot believe i go to this park to camp with my young children and in the early afternoon have…read moreto stand there and watch a man being arrested just bcuz he was there a little later than the 11 o'clock check out time. Apparently he was very relaxed and overslept a bit. Really not a big deal at all but I guess you there at lake Monroe park feel the need to call the police for this matter instead of an employee coming down there and asking your patron nicely to leave now. Oh and did I mention this man was loading up already when the police arrived. It just turned intoWWW one big mess for this poor man who wAs arrested for something not relayed to his accidental over stay which was terrible. So here I am having to explain this to my children and my youngest said just for oversleeping Mommy?? Made me think how awful and rude of your establishment to just not come yourself and nicely wake this gentleman up. Now his life is in shambles thanks to you and you have lost a customer well I guess 2 bcuz I'm sure that young man cannot return. And neither will I or anyone in my family. Quite rude and uncalled for for a family place. I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE POLICE WERE CALLED!!! SEEMS SO RIDICULOUS AND OVER THE TOP! WOW! Thank you for the lesson. Moral of the story......BE KIND EVEN TO PEOPLE THAT OVERSLEEP

Many trailers on the property full time are run down. Very noisy as there is construction going on…read moreall the time and the night is filled with the sound of sirens. The pool is not heated but the hot tub is great. Prepaid for a stay of 3 weeks or would have found another location. We were looking forward to playing shuffleboard but the court is unusable, and games in the game room were broken. This community is more of a trailer house park, some RVs that stay for the winter, and campers coming and going daily, not a resort.

Staff is super helpful!! kudos Anthony appreciate you! Very accommodating! Park is quite and well…read moremaintained!

I've paddled the Emerald Cut a few times now. Initially I didn't like the idea of paying to launch…read moremy own paddleboard. However, it's only $10 now that I have my own life jacket (saving me additional cost of $5 to use one of theirs, as required). Well worth the low cost for some soul-enriching, communing with nature. I have never made a reservation. I normally arrive around 10:30, most recently on a Friday. Parked for free on Baptist Camp Rd. Just a bit of a walk from there with my inflated paddleboard, but I don't mind the extra exercise. You can unload your stuff closer, if preferable. There are port-a-potties available. You can count on there being a line in the check-in office. Various recreation supplies are available there for purchase. The process moves reasonably enough. A reservation will guarantee your entrance, however, and possibly aide quicker personal info collection. I always plan to do the Emerald Cut in roughly 3 hours round-trip, allowing myself several stops to enjoy the surroundings. You do run into (quite literally at times) novice paddlers along the way, which can be a bit tricky, yet not a real nuisance for me. In general, there's friendliness along the waterway. Slighty rowdy, party vibes in some spots, but also opportunities for solace and zen in various nooks. Encountering wildlife, fragrant elderberry, and other captivating flora along this stretch is always gratifying. It's a popular recreation destination for good reason.

Many tourists don't realize Florida is home to stunning crystal-clear spring rivers--perfect for…read moreswimming, kayaking, and tubing aka "hidden gems". My Hubby and I love kayaking, so we booked an excursion months in advance for Rock Springs through TripAdvisor. Our Tour Operator was Get Up And Go Kayaking located at Kings Landing in Apopka, FL. I LOVE saying Apopka ;) The good news: Apopka is a quick 1 hour drive from Orlando. Make sure you don't miss the turn to King's Landing, because the entrance is located on a narrow dirt road. You must drive past Kelly Park (which fills up fast). There is a Park Ranger located here who will guide you to King's Landing. As you get closer and if you see a parking spot, grab it! Check in is located in the Cabin like office where you will have to sign a waiver. If you do not want to take a clear bottom, guided Kayak tour, you can either rent or BYO Kayak versus taking a semi private, clear, guided kayak tour. NOTE: ONLY use their Sunscreen/lotion which is provided at no cost. It protects the wildlife and the Springs. We wanted the full experience as we have previously enjoyed renting clear Kayaks. Our guide for the morning was: Megan, who was fantastic! Full of energy, information and helpful tidbits about the Springs and its human and wildlife inhabitants. Our group was small and capped at 10. We paddled through both narrow and open stretches, and stopped to swim in the warm, crystal-clear water. One highlight was a banyan tree with an 8-foot natural "jump hole"--such a cool experience! It was a serene, memorable day, and fun fact: this is the very spring featured in the Visit Orlando commercials! Yeah, definitely take a day away from crowded Orlando to relax and enjoy Mother Nature! You will Thank Me ;)

Memorial Park in DeBarry Florida was built on 2.5 acres donated to the city by the Gray family. It…read morewas dedicated on Memorial Day 1999 to veterans, local heroes, and residents. The hilltop park has five picnic pavilions and memorials. One of the most impressive memorials is a F-15 fighter jet. The plane is a memorial to Airman 1st Class Brian McVeigh, who was killed in the Khobar Towers bombing on June 25, 1996. While in Saudi Arabia he served as an F-15 crew chief. Brian was only 21 when he died. Another display in the park is the anchor from the USS Langley CV1. It was the United States Navy's first aircraft carrier, converted in 1920 from the collier USS Jupiter. During WWII 16 crew members were killed during bombing by the Japanese. The ship was dead in the water and the crew was given the order to abandon ship. It was sunk off the coast of Java on February 27, 1942 by escorting destroyer USS Whipple so it would not fall into enemy hands. There is also a memorial to Charles Richard Beall, the only DeBary resident killed in the Vietnam war. Beall was shot at close range on March 6, 1968, while attacking enemy bunkers where snipers were firing on an army convoy. In January the city added a WWII M5 light tank to the park. The M5 was named the Stuart in honor of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, a Confederate cavalry officer. The city has renamed the tank The Spirit of DeBary. I have been to a lot of veterans parks and this one definitely stands out despite its small size. The memorials showcase the might of the military and the poignancy of the sacrifices made. This is a must stop for history enthusiasts, especially those of military history.

A small park with…read more big toys Memorial Park is indeed a small park.. Less than three acres, you can easily walk around it in ten minutes or so. It does have some nice picnic areas with tables and grills and some cool shade trees and interesting plants. The stuff that you find at most parks. However this is a memorial park so it has more than just the normal park things. If you look a bit more closely you will see a bulletin board with the names of local people that have lost their lives in times of conflict. Also a memorial plaque than commemorates MIA's and veterans that have died in prisoner of war camps. Poignant stuff. However it's the large things that really makes this park special. As you leave the parking lot you will notice a huge anchor. It weights nine tons and is from the USS Langley. Pretty impressive if you like large anchors. But the item in the center of the park is what really catches the eye. A real F-15 McDonnell Douglas Eagle, poised to look as if it just took off and was screaming toward the sky. This is the air superiority fighter that served so effectively in the Gulf Wars and in the hands of the Israelis. Achieved the unprecedented achievement of shooting down over one hundred enemy planes without a single loss and still serves with the United States, Japan, Israeli and Saudi Arabia. Memorial Park isn't a large or particular scenic park. It doesn't have a lot of the amenities that other parks have. But it is a great tribute to the local servicemen and women that sacrificed during times of war. Just seeing that F-15 pointed toward the sky is worth a visit.

My 5yr older daughter attended SportsTyme last year for the 1st month of summer on her own without…read moreknowing whether or not any of her friends would be going. Was a bit hesitant on how well she would do as she isn't really the 'sporty' type either. SportsTyme does an AMAZING job keeping the kids busy. She got to play new sports that she normally wouldn't have done on her own choosing, which really got her out of her shell. Scott was great! Enjoyed my trivia every morning coming in. Looking forward to 2019 camp!

From the owner: SportsTyme’s DeLand camp at DeLand Middle School offers a summer experience that prioritizes safety…read morewhile keeping fun at the center of each day. Built on a program refined over more than twenty years, campers ages 5–12 are encouraged to explore new sports and activities in a relaxed, confidence-building environment. Join us in DeLand this summer to help your child stay active, make friends, and build character all season long.

PAVEMENT / WALKWAYS: 4.5 STARS Some of these zoos /…read moregardens dump one off onto rutted dirt paths, not here, one could roll wheeled devices with relative ease everywhere. STAFF: 4.5 STARS Everyone was pleasant and helpful if you wanted them to be. ANIMAL VARIETY: 4 STARS Not all antelope like some places. SIZE OF ZOO: 4 STARS I had expected it to be smaller based on the reviews, it is not tiny, a pleasant size without being exhausting. VALUE: 4.5 STARS Good price for 2 or 3 hours of beastly entertainment. GIFT SHOP: 2 STARS The ghastly high prices did not bother me, as one is supporting a worthy cause, but the tee shirt selection was sparse, and none with the handsome cheetah face on them. SUMMARY: 4 STARS Please support non corporate theme park Florida attractions ( Gator Farm, Tampa Zoo, Cedar Gardens Williston, Silver Springs, Weikee Wachee etc), and this is a good one.

what a lovely place to host a 4th birthday party for my son !! they were so hospitable & we had a…read morelive lizard visit too. they provided a nice sized room, decor, pizzas, utensils, and drinks with the party package. all the kids had such a great time. the zoo was nicely made w/ an easy to walk pathway through it all - very stroller friendly! their reptile exhibits were extensive. it is definitely a smaller sized zoo but that also makes it an easy walk for families with littles. lastly, the splash pad is a blast !! it is a full on water zone & it's fun to see the littles run & play - i will caution though that their are some bigger kids that run a little too hard so keep an eye on your little ones there. we have many more tickets to use from our party package so we will be back real soon - maybe even this weekend :)

My kids have attended Odyssey Adventure Camp several times in the past and loved them. Yesterday,…read morewe also rented paddle boards/kayaks for the afternoon. They were in great condition. Mr. Waterman delivers them and picks them up. My kids had a great time at Sanchez park, nice calm waters. It was a beautiful day. High recommend Odyssey Adventure Club if you are interested in renting kayaks and/or paddle boards.

From the owner: Choose your adventure! We love to help people build a passion for the outdoors.....whether through…read moreour summer camps for kids, group paddle outings, rentals, tours, or through our bike clubs, with training, group rides, trips, and exploring

Such a beautiful Florida hidden gem! Green Springs is a small, easy hike that's perfect when you…read morewant to get outside without committing to anything too long. The spot where the river and spring meet is pretty cool, and the water is the prettiest turquoise blue -- absolutely unreal. Definitely worth checking out!

What an amazing oasis this place is. There's so many hiking trails. I wouldn't even know where to…read morebegin. My visit was brief, but beautiful. I would have to take a whole day to even begin to remotely explore this springs Park. I was hoping to see the fluorescent green water, but it wasn't that way this time of year. Either due to the weather or the time of year, I'm not sure. But I will be back. I will see that water yet!