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.

This is a nice community park with lake access (boat ramp) that also has camping facilities…read more(trailer and tent). There is a ranger station there for assistance. The park has a small playground, volleyball court, pavilions, restrooms, and ample parking. The restrooms are nice, clean, and for single (private) use. I was impressed. I used the park for the Spring to Spring trail access. This is a nice area to go camping if you don't mind the road noise - probably not bad at night.

The 2.8 acre Quinn Strong Park is on the southwest corner of Maitland and Packwood Avenue. It is…read moreacross the street from the Maitland Art and History museums and next to the beautifully renovated Germaine Marvel Building. After visiting the museum I walked over to the park for some fresh air and exercise. This quaint park is open daily from 8am to Sunset. The park has paved walkways, beautiful landscaping, benches, open areas for picnic and play, and a gazebo that can be rented for weddings. In 2020, Quinn Strong Park was chosen as the site for the new Maitland Library. Voters have approved a 14 million dollar bond to construct a modern two story library. New park improvements will include a Mayan Calendar inspired sensory garden, water feature, performance space, pergola, stormwater pond, sculptures, and deck. Construction has not begun yet but stay tuned for a park that will be a must visit destination in downtown Maitland.

Great for a walk after spending three hours working in the nearly library. It's a beautiful, if…read moresmall, park with lots of shade and lovely walkways through the trees. A couple of people/dog water fountains and not much else. Some picnic tables and some benches here and there. I had a pleasant time. [Review 19312 overall - 1659 in Florida - 282 of 2023.]

This small quiet park along the St. John's sports tennis and basketball courts, soccer field, and…read more hideaway fishing pier boat launch. While there are some who seem to over-use the amenities, they're not always there and that's when we go. Should say there's also a small play area for play area sake, and bathroom facilities.

A park with water…read more Mariner's Cove Park is an almost fifty acre park that has just about some of everything. Basketball courts, tennis court, baseball and soccer fields, a play ground, hiking trials, picnic areas, clean bathrooms and even a fishing pier and small boat ramp. The park has access to Bethel Creek and from there you can head into Lake Monroe, The St. John's River and across half of Florida. Lots to do in the park but if you want to do absolutely nothing that is fine too. Plenty of peace and quiet and a great place to get aquainted with nature. Lots of huge aquatic birds and if you're lucky you might even see a gator or two. A cool park that never seems to be crowded but always is friendly and welcoming. A place that has just about anything you could want in a park and lets you discover something new everything you go.

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.

Dream Lake Park is a small park in Apopka that has a few picnic, a short boardwalk and access to…read moreDream Lake. There is shade from oak trees over the picnic tables so its nice on a sunny or shady day. I've seen people fishing there, but I'm not sure what, if anything they have caught there. There are a variety of birds at the park including ducks, ibis and crows. The park is right off of a main road so it can be loud at times, but I enjoy the view.

This isn't a park and there's nowhere to sit or park your car. All around the lake it says private…read moreproperty. Waste of gas.

A park without…read morea coast Coastline is a little park tucked in between some streets in a residential section of town. Strange name because there aren't any coastlines, just a almost dried up little pond. Certainly not a place anyone would want to boat or swim in. The park does have a basketball court, playground, tennis courts, small exercise path, BBQ grills, and some benches. It has some decent bathrooms and even a drinking fountain. This is a park that I suspect has seen better days. Looks a bit worn around the edges but still is a nice place for neighbor kids and adults to play in and use. The area has been so dry that everything had a sort of sad and desolate feel. Hopefully with some rain the little pond and trees will perk up and be more attractive. A type of park to use and have fun in and not to look at.

I love this place the basketball court the playgrounds the relaxing area. I will definitely be…read morecoming back every single day.

This is a Seminole County owned, three acre park that makes clever use of that often wasted space…read moreat the base of a bridge. In this case that space is around George C. Means Memorial Bridge that crosses the St. John's River. The park was named in honor of Cameron Wright, a former member of the of the Sanford City Commission where he served for many years. He was also instrumental in the development of the park. The park was previously named Westside Park before the name was changed by the city. Cameron Wright Park has a covered picnic pavilion with tables, fishing dock, and boat launch onto the St. John's River which connects to both Lake Jessup and Lake Monroe. This is a boaters and fisherman's paradise. Just watch out for the alligators.

A place to go…read moresomeplace else Cameron Wight Park is a small area located almost under the bridge on Rt 46. It's easy to zoom right by it if you aren't looking in the right spot. Certainly not a large area and definitely not a park for hiking, this is a place to get to the water. It has a few picnic tables but I doubt it anyone comes here for a picnic. This is a place to launch a boat to go fishing, paddling or just to go somewhere that isn't here. From the park you can launch right into the St Johns River and if you go south you can get into gator infested Lake Jessup, north into Lake Monroe and east into Lake Thornhill. Or you can just get lost in the multitude of small streams and canals. The launch area is very well maintained and can take power boats as well as canoes and yaks. Unfortunately like most of the water in this part of Florida this part of the St John's can have harmful bacteria and amoeba that will do very nasty things to your body if it gets inside of you so swimming is definitely discouraged. Beside large gators seem to enjoy hanging out in this part of the river. The small park has a large parking area that makes parking boat trailers convenient but like most boat launch areas burglaries are common so locking your vehicle is mandatory. Certainly not a park to hang out in or hike but a great place that gives access to a lot of water in all directions.

Orlando has so many beautiful parks and the park surrounding Lake Davis is especially picturesque…read more I discovered this park while driving to the historic Greenwood cemetery. This park is located in the Lake Davis neighborhood where the boundaries are roughly State Road 408 on the north and Summerlin and Hampton avenues on the west and east. The southern boundary is Gore Street from Mills Avenue east to Hampton and Delaney Park Drive from Summerlin Avenue to Mills. Lake Davis takes its name from early Orlando settler James J. Davis, one of the first surveyors to arrive in the city. In the 1870s, Davis settled on land between the lake that's named for him and what's now Greenwood Cemetery founded in 1880. Davis was one of three deputy sheriffs appointed about 1871, when there were 97 registered voters in the entire county! In the early 1880s, the area around Lake Davis was a popular spot for the cows to graze that wandered freely throughout the city. Today this is a passive park that has a paved walking path around the lake. Ringing the lake are houses that have a gorgeous view of the water. While visiting I noticed several species of birds enjoying Lake Davis including a Great Blue, an anhinga drying it's wings, and several ducks. This is an ideal place to birdwatch or if you live in the neighborhood, spread a blanket and have a picnic.

This is not so much the park in the traditional sense, but rather a sidewalk around a lake. Still…read moreit is a pleasant place to walk and seems to be very popular with dog owners. Ultimately, this is a fine place to come if you live in the neighborhood.