I went to the Atlantic Beach Farmers Market here for the first time. This park is hidden just a…read moreside street over from the main road. I never knew it existed! Parking is tricky on Sundays - the market was packed. The park itself is so nice and I love how the vendors were set up all throughout. I also noticed there were restrooms that were not port a pottys. They had a variety of vendors, food trucks, etc. This market is bigger than I expected, and I will go even earlier next time.

Been going here since we were younger! Now, we take all the nephews and kiddos here…read more Fun for watching baseball, pickup basketball games, picnics, family gatherings, tennis, racquetball, etc. They even have Farmers Markets and events on the weekends. And on the other side, a skate park and open field! Definitely nice to stroll around for a little fresh air, sun, and exercise. They do have some covered table areas and benches to relax in if you just want to enjoy the surroundings. I like the chill atmosphere. And the tree coverings are good, so it's not so hot in the shade. I'll try to get more pics next time!

It was a beautiful and easy walk. The majority of the walk is boardwalks,with some dirt and asphalt…read morepaths. There are plenty of benches, Adirondack chairs, and viewpoints. It was nice to walk then sit and enjoy the views. There is a kayak launch point, and plenty of trash cans. At the beginning of the trail is bathrooms and a parking lot with plenty of parking spaces. There was hardly anyone around. Take some time to enjoy this hidden gem.

Awesome park! Stopped here in the evening for a quick stroll and was impressed. I tried coming the…read moreprevious day at 8pm but it was closed - so they mean it when they say they are closed at 8pm! I will be returning to see some of the other parts of the park that I didn't get to see when I was there!

This place is a total Southside gem. If you're looking for a peaceful escape or want to get in a…read morefew steps while running errands, this is exactly where you need to be. It's located right at the corner of Blvd and Southside Blvd, yet it feels miles away from everything. Here's why I love it: The Trails: Whether you're on foot or two wheels, they've got you covered. There is a dedicated mountain bike course and several miles of well-maintained trails for hiking. Water Views: There's a beautiful pond featuring a kayak launch and an event center available for rentals. Peace & Quiet: This park is completely tucked away. I've visited twice now and was the only person there both times. The trails looked pretty clean; I think they have volunteers that come through periodically. Birdwatching & Picnics: There are plenty of benches to sit and admire the local birds, plus several picnic tables.

Good park for mountain bike trails and a really awesome dirt jump park with sick jumpy jumps. There…read moreare trails circling around the whole park though, in wet weather some will be nearly underwater but they're nice if you're coming for the dirt jumps. The south parking lot is tiny but there is parking at a senior center off Beach nearer to the dirt jumps which I guess is fine to use? I mean, it's owned by the city as well, not a private business. Unless you're interrupting bingo night I would think it fine to park over there. Be watchful for snakes including possibly cottonmouths. I did not see any but one trails goes between a lake and swampy, flooded, area and seems prime for water snakes--I like snakes but don't want to encounter a cottonmouth on a trail and this seems a great place to do just that.

It's First Friday! This was a great day/evening for it. The weather was nice, lightly breezy, with…read moremusic, vendors, food trucks, bubbles, and a beautiful fountain that changed color when the sun set. The event was from 5-9:30. The Blood Mobile was there accepting blood donors, there was a table for financial literacy, pediatric clinic, vet table, bubbles, face painting, and music! I ordered a vegetable pancit, early on, which was tasty and could stand more seasoning and vegetables. Later I ordered a green curry with vegetables and tofu over jasmine rice with a spice level of 6! It was SPICY! Yes!!! I had a great night! Thanks @JaxParks!

Visited Friendship Fountain and honestly it was one of those spots that just feels good to be at…read morewithout trying too hard. The fountain itself is huge and impressive when it's running, with water shooting up and moving in these patterns that make it weirdly calming to just sit and watch. It has that "you could stay here way longer than planned" kind of vibe, especially with the river right there and the open space all around it. My family and I just hung out nearby, walked along the water, and let the kids run around while we took in the view. It is one of those places where nobody is in a rush and everyone is just kind of enjoying the moment. The whole area feels peaceful but still active enough that there's always something to look at--boats passing, people walking, and the fountain doing its thing like the centerpiece of it all. Five stars. Perfect mix of relaxing, pretty views, and a great spot in Jacksonville to just slow down and enjoy the day.

The walk itself was a good length, the issue was that we accidentally walked into a homeless camp…read more we didnt stay to find out if it was abandoned or active, but definitely changed our pace.

Love taking my kids here to explore and walk around on a nice day! Such a great place to enjoy…read morenature.

Northbank walking bridge is re-built and that's fantastic news for Riverside and downtown…read moreresidents. This is a breathtaking way to start your day. Always a breeze, plenty of walking room, plenty to take in a get yourself centered in the city. The new walkway is artistic and beautiful and this connects Riverside to downtown. I know it's a crucial part of Jacksonville being the great city it's meant to be. This is a 5 star experience but businesses need to get involved here. Containers or stand ups with food and drink would be ideal here. It would be great for the city if they built around this and I truly hope they do.

This is a lovely place to visit while in Jacksonville!…read more I enjoyed an evening stroll after dinner and caught some amazing sunset views. As a woman traveling alone, I felt safe walking here by myself during the evening. There were plenty of other people enjoying the river walk that I never questioned my safety. You could easily make this a short or long walk, depending on your preference.

One of two separate adjoined parks, both of which are small; kind of strange that they need…read moreseparate names. The other one has parking and a playground, this one is a little stretch notable for having a skyline view of the city. While limited in scope, at least when I was there it had one of the cleaner port-a-potties I've ever seen. The water here isn't the kind that you could go in, and the area is next to a bunch of private homes and their docks, but for anyone seeking an interesting view with a breeze it makes for a nice stop.

You get an awesome view of downtown from here and it's usually most crowded when there's fireworks…read moregoing on downtown, but aside from a 30ish foot circular slab and some grass. There's not much to this "park".

Beautiful location with a boardwalk along the waters edge. Located right next to the mandarin…read morecounty dock. Beautiful location for sunset pictures.

I stopped by Walter Jones Historical Park recently for a peaceful afternoon walk and was pleasantly…read moresurprised by its quiet charm and educational value. Nestled in the Mandarin area, the park offers a glimpse into a long-forgotten way of life through well-preserved historic buildings and informative signage. Even if the museum isn't open, there's still plenty to learn just by walking around. The paved and boardwalk-style paths make it especially accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, or elderly visitors. There are clean restrooms on-site and pavilions that can be reserved, which is great for small family get-togethers or casual outdoor events. It's also right next to a county dock and boat launch--technically not part of the park, but close enough to enjoy the breeze and water views. That said, there's not a ton to "do" here, especially if the museum is closed. There are no hiking trails or playgrounds, so it's better suited for a quiet stroll than a full day out. Because the park is on the smaller side, sound tends to carry--something to keep in mind if you're hoping for solitude during a busy weekend. One small frustration is that it's become a popular spot for photo shoots, and some photographers don't always respect that it's a shared public space. This is a great spot for a short, relaxing visit--especially if you're interested in local history or just want somewhere calm to stroll. Not really a "destination park," but definitely a hidden gem if you're in the area. I'd return, especially if the museum is open next time.