Gemini Springs Park is located in DeBary, Florida, 25 miles north of Orlando…read more Since you can no longer swim here due to high concentrations of bacteria in the waters, visitor attendance can be quite low. And since there's alternative parks situated throughout Central Florida that are swimmable, not many people will make the effort to experience Gemini Springs. In fact, I'd categorize this place as a local town park more than anything. It's free to visit and hours are sunrise to sunset. There were no names or signs for the hiking trails, so at times it felt like I was wandering aimlessly. But, the trees decorated with Spanish Moss exuded southern charm and most corners I turned felt like strolling along a nature trail. There's a dual sided passageway that acts as the centerpiece to the park and is also a dam spillway which (I believe) separates the DeBary Creek waters and the Gemini Springs area. I did spot a gator which almost caught a fish right in front of my eyes. I also noticed a soft shell turtle who appeared to be laying her eggs in the sand and some birds doing fishing of their own. Gemini Springs has picnic pavilions, a playground, a dog park, a fishing pier, plenty of grass to play around, and even camping is permitted here. Lastly, I'd like to highlight a section of the park that turns colorfully vibrant when the sun is shining... - Follow the concrete walkway (which you can't miss). - Then...you'll approach a tucked away corner of the springs. This area can be a rewarding moment for admiring the great outdoors. If you just pause and absorb the surroundings, nature's beauty shines through. It's a refreshing reminder that just because a park isn't as accessible as it once was, doesn't mean it should go unnoticed. I believe Gemini Springs Park can be a worthwhile half day visit.

Great family friendly location. It's not to crazy with parking. You basically become immersed in…read morethe wild life. Activities was so much fun because they have so many.

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.

Me and my dog Pixie stopped by here yesterday. August 2025…read more I didn't know there was a dog park here. They have a very nice large and small dog park with a pavilion. No one was there so she was able to run both. I then took her over to the playground area because she likes to slide down the slide. So she ran around there and then two kids showed up and we played for about 30 minutes. Nice Park It has the dog park, basketball and a kids playground. Today I went it was very clean and well kept. Plenty of parking. Bathrooms were clean.

This park offers a lot of activities such as baseball, basketball, tennis courts, shuffleboard and…read moremore. They have a kids playground and even a small lake on the property, though swimming is prohibited. There is adequate parking and they have rest rooms on the property. They also have a couple of pavilions to hang out either after you play a sports or if you just want to chill for a bit. This park offers a lot of tranquillity and I enjoyed my time here. The park is decently maintains and while I was here on a Monday afternoon, there were quite a few people here with me. The park is a bit off of the beaten path, so you will have to go down a few back roads to get here. Perhaps that is part of its charm up here. It is definitely a place for the neighborhood. It would be worth your time to come check here out, enjoy a minute or two. Be advised that I did not see any walking path, but there were people with dogs walking across the sport fields. Come check out out yourself.

There is so much history in this little corner of Sanford. The charming Speer Grove Park was once…read morethe site of a fort during the Second Seminole War. When the government enacted the Indian Removal Act in 1830, the army was sent to drive all of the Native Americans out west on the Trail of Tears. The Seminoles resisted and the Second Seminole War broke out. Forts like this one in what is now Sanford were set up all across Florida to aid the US Army in their mission. The fort here was established on July 7, 1840 by Colonel William Harney. It was named after the fourth territorial governor of Florida, Robert Reid. Between July 1840 and January 1841 the fort was the headquarters of Colonel Twiggs of the Second Dragoons and included the commands of the St. Johns District, Army of the South, and the District South of New Smyrna under Colonel Harney. In 1840, Fort Reid had a force of 417 soldiers. It temporarily replaced Fort Mellon a mile and a half north for health reasons. The army abandoned the fort in 1842. After that it was occupied on and off by area settlers until it was re-garrisoned briefly in November 1849 before being permanently abandoned for the final time the next month. Since then, this open space has been used as a park named for Algernon Speer, one of the earliest settlers of Mellonville, Fort Reid, along the south shore of Lake Monroe, or Sanford as it is known today. This park was dedicated to him in 1941. Approximately a hundred years before, Mr. Speer planted an orange grove at Mellonville Avenue and 19th Street. The Sons and Daughters of the Territory of Florida sponsored a marker along with the Sallie Harrison chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. Speer came to the area in 1884 from Georgia. Before Seminole County was formed, he became the first representative from Orange County to the State Legislature. Today the park is a gathering spot for the community for play, picnics, and exercise. A lot of people in the neighborhood take their dogs for a walk here. Speer Grove Park has a small playground, benches, and a grill. The Loblolly pine and towering oak trees dripping in Spanish moss add beauty and welcome shade to the park. I enjoyed stretching my legs and checking out Seminole County historic marker relating to Fort Reid at the edge of the park. If you didn't notice the sign, you would miss the history of this peaceful, passive park.

Nice little neighborhood park with a climbing playground area and swings. The area in the…read moreplayground center is open, which makes it a hotspot in the Florida sun, but the swings, a bench, and grill are under old live oak trees and constantly shaded. A nice spot for an actual picnic under the trees. And a great little climbing playground and swings for the neighborhood.

Nice park. There is playground equipment for children to climb on which appears to be popular in…read morethe mornings. There is one tennis court which has been available on most occasions when I come. There is a fishing pier over the lake also seems popular with a few fishermen. The only drawback there are no large trees to make shade over the tennis court and playground. On hot sunny days it is very hot and hard to use. Other parks have canopies over the playground which would be nice to have. Second it would be nice if park personnel would blow off the sand and gravel off the tennis court. Overall nice park.

I visit Campbell Park today. I enjoyed the docks on the lake. I liked seeing the ducks on the…read morewater. They have a nice path to follow around the park.

Great park a lot of parking. Nice and clean grass a lot of tree around awesome Orlando Soccer staff…read moreteam

Sylvan Lake Park in Heathrow is one of those rare finds that perfectly balances nature, recreation,…read moreand community. My kid plays soccer here with Seminole Youth Soccer, and it's easily one of our favorite spots for practice and weekend games! The soccer fields are well maintained, and the sidelines have plenty of space for families to relax and cheer on their teams. Between matches, it's not unusual to spot a few deer wandering through the trails, which always feels like a little dose of magic in the middle of a busy day. Beyond soccer, the park offers a small playground, tennis courts, and beautiful walking and biking trails shaded by trees -- perfect for getting some steps in while the kids play. There's ample parking, clean facilities, and it always feels safe and family-friendly. Whether you're here for youth sports, a morning jog, or just some quiet time in nature, Sylvan Lake Park is a true Heathrow treasure.

Just off the Spring to Spring Trail in Deltona which extends from Green Spring Park to De Leon…read moreSprings State Park, lies Thornby Park, a 38 acre natural area where the 1916 Thornby homestead once stood. Historically this area on Deltona's southern shore of Lake Monroe has been home to both native tribes and early Volusia County pioneers. During the Second Seminole War, the US Army built Fort Kingsbury named after a soldier who died of a fever in nearby Ft. Mellon. It was a defense stockade built here in response to the Seminoles burning Palaka in 1835 which was a major port on the St. John's River and a critical entrance point into Central Florida. The last residents on this land were Dr. James H. Glass and his wife Anna Wells Glass who built a two-story house. It was one of the finest residences in the area and it stood until teen-aged vandals burned on September 15, 2003. In the 1990's the land was at the center of a preservation battle between residents and developers. The community successfully advocated for the city to purchase the land, leading to the land being acquired by Volusia Forever and the city of Deltona. A public park was established in 2011 but unfortunately it was too late to preserve the Glass House like nearby DeBary Hall. While the Glass House is long gone, Thornby Park does have a large play area for all abilities and which is ADA compliant. It is called the Inspiration Playground and it was completed in 2012 with swings, monkey bars, and slides. In this area there are also restrooms, benches, picnic tables, and a gazebo donated by the Friends of Thornby in honor of Dr. Glass. Near the playground you will find the entrance to the boardwalk that takes you to the Thornby Trail, a half mile, loop nature trail. This area is a haven for wildlife and it contains several interpretive signs along with an outdoor classroom. Halfway through the trail is the remains of a piece of old narrow gauge railroad trestle that was used by mules to haul citrus to the docks of Lake Monroe. I had enjoyable stroll along Thornby Trail taking in the nature and history of this peaceful preserve. Thornby Park is a testament to the tenacity of the activists who fought long and hard to keep this pristine area from being turned into another development.

Well there is not much to do at this park in terms of walking trails, there is a cool remnant of a…read morerailroad trestle that probably was mule driven and used to haul citrus and other produce to the docks on Lake Monroe. Now, this park does have a pretty cool kids playground, so if you have young children, this is a great place to head towards. On the path, you can definitely feel it's age. You know that this area has seen time since the dawn of time and the railroad trestle alone proves that this area was an integral part of early Florida life. I do not see myself returning here, but I am happy that I stumbled across this small park. Again, if you have small children, I would definitely recommend coming here to the children's play area. On that aspect, I would give here five stars. While the walking path is by no means impressive, I am glad that I saw the railroad trestle and that I took the time to see this part of unspoiled Florida.

Gateway Park, Debary, FL,…read more This was actually my first time coming to Gateway park to see the Christmas lights, and I have to say, they are great. Nothing over the top, but wholesome, and geared towards families and the surrounding community. We loved how the city utilized the pavilions for photo op areas and the exercise paths as the walkway to view all the beautiful LED lit sculptures. What really makes this park stand out is that kids can still play on the playground while the event is going on. Im sure an evening here allows moms and dads to catch a good night sleep for once, lol! Something else to note is that there is free hot chocolate offered here and the volunteers are using a stainless steel percolator to brew it, nice! An additional note, entry is free to the public, there are restrooms on site, and plenty of parking available. The only downside is tonight, 12/17/23, is the last night for the lights. Staff begins breaking everything down tomorrow. All in all, this was a great experience, and I look forward to returning next year.

I'm just now getting the time to post my Christmas photos from Gateway Park…read more I have lived only 15 minutes from this park for over 20 years and never knew that they did Christmas lights. So I was excited to finally get to see them. I love how they had photo areas all around the park. They really did a good job of creating a perfect army creating a perfect ambience for families and couples. The night we were there they were giving away free hot chocolate. They also have a playground and the kids were enjoying themselves. Definitely going to put this on my list for next year! This park can also be rented for small birthday parties.

This area wasn't bad! there's covered seating and a sandy portion. the structures and shade seem…read moreideal for a fish to hide. Boat ramp seemed popular and good quality but i would go across the bridge to the other Lake Monroe Park if wanting to fish!

Bridges rivers and…read more birds The St. Johns River is the longest river in Florida, covering over 310 miles and winding through lots of small towns, cool lakes and great fishing areas. Even though it is well used by people, access can be difficult at times because of the numerous marshy areas that can make launching a boat very difficult. Lake Monroe Wayside Park is a small place that allows easy access to the river. It has two nicely paved ramps that can accommodate four boats at once and of course yaks, canoes and smaller craft can be launch from just about anywhere in the park. The park also has a few nice picnic tables, benches and lots of parking. One of the very cool things about the park is an old swing bridge that is still standing. You can still walk out on the bridge and fish or take a close look at the intricate structure. A few informative plaques are on the bridge explaining how important this early bridge across the river was to the area. Nice that they took the effort to add a little history to an old bridge. The park is a great place to watch and listen to the river flow by, launch a boat or look for some beautiful birds or lazy alligators. The St. Johns is a lovely and impressive river, it's great to have parks like this that allow easy access to a wonderful resource.