Janelle L.

The history at Big Tree Park is mind blowing. When I explained the age of The Senator at 3,500 years old to my kid he understandably couldn't get his head around it. Tragically The Senator was burned to basically ashes in an act of arson but the pieces recovered were given to local artists to create new art and are on display at the history of Seminole county museum. They also took a sapling and planted it by the playground so the Senator lives on through its offspring The Phoenix. Great playground and nice bathrooms right next to it. They also have great workout stations for adults to use right next to the playground so you can actively watch your kids while you work out. There are covered pavilion picnic tables and ample trash cans available as well. We love Big Tree Park!

John M.

Big Tree Park is a park set around "The Senator," a huge Cypress tree that was estimated to be 3,500 years old and sadly, was burned and destroyed by arson on January 16, 2012. The stump of the tree still remains and there is also "The Phoenix," which scientists cloned from branches of The Senator. It is a wonderful smaller park and I would definitely a visit here to embrace the winder and strength of nature and perhaps offer a prayer that we humans be free of the pettiness and selfishness that allowed someone to burn a 3,500 year old tree.

Enit S.

From the outside looking in; Big tree park might not look like much, but immediately you feel a sense of history here. Once you drive into the parking lot, you'll see the information booth as well as the open gate leading you to that eerie and solitary wooden boardwalk. It was foggy that morning, so it reminded me of the intro of those episodes from the 90's of that show tales from the dark side, remember that show on the scifi channel? Well anyway, the allure of this park use to be a significantly wide and tall tree named 'The Senator' that has been in existence here in Florida for thousands of years until it first was dealt a devastating blow by one of the hurricanes, so the top of it was blown literally off, and then, to make matters worse, some incredibly ignorant, and moronic individual burnt it to a tragic shell of what it once was. When you look at the remains, you can't help but hang your head, not only feeling a deep sadness over the malicious treatment of a once beautiful tree, but also anger over people purposely destroying what is not theirs to take in the first place. Don't be surprised when you see that the distance of the wooden board walk is not much, maybe about a quarter of a mile, if that. There is another trail that leads to a bridge and that's about 3 miles to and from the park. You will happen upon a small brook that is very pretty. You might also happen upon various birds, I can't name them all, but I recognized the hawks perching up on the branches and looking at me like: "what you doin here?" It was very amusing. I find overall it was nice to visit, but I don't know that its a park I'd want to return to. There's really not much to do other than walk, and see the tragic remains of that poor tree.

Garrett Z.

We went out of our way to make a pit stop at this park to see the remains of the Senator and Lady Liberty. If anything, this park is a physical reminder of human stupidity. The Senator was once a huge and majestic Cypress tree that was thousands of years old and then was burned down by a stupid methhead in 2012. Lady Liberty is another big tree in the area but not as impressive as the Senator. It peaked the interest of my wife and children for about five minutes and then we were off to the playground to stretch our legs before we got back into the car. It was neat to read up on some of the history of the area and to see the big trees in their natural habitat but honestly, it is just not the same without the Senator and we were a bit underwhelmed. I did get a laugh at the passive aggressive postings onsite that explained how the Senator withstood everything that was thrown at it except for "human stupidity". So true. I suggest coming here at least once to marvel at the one of the largest stumps in the United States and picturing just what it might have been to stare up at the Senator towering over the local swamp. And for good measure, go down the slide once or twice.

Sasha R.

This park during fall is beautiful! The playground is big enough to keep an eye on multiple kids. Plus it's fenced in. From there to see the senator, what was America's biggest tree. The. Visit lady liberty. Second biggest tree. Opportunity to teach ourselves and the kids Gods beautiful creations.

Melissa N.

Easy access to the trail and there's a short boardwalk that leads to the remains of the Senator, a 3500 year old cypress tree that was burned down in 2012. Sadly, I never saw this beloved tree. Close by there's the majestic Liberty Tree. This tree and the remains of The Senator are protected by a huge iron fence. There's a children's playground and restrooms. Next to the playground, you will see The Phoenix, a clone of The Senator. Gorgeous park. Perfect for a stroll on a Sunday afternoon.

Brian S.

Great trees and bad people The 'Senator" was a 3,500 year old cypress tree, one of the very largest and oldest cypress trees in the world. An incredible piece of nature that just took your breath away to look at. It withstood hurricanes and everything time and the world could throw at it. However it could not withstand the stupidity and arrogance of one woman. On Jan 16th, 2012, a young fool decided the venerable old tree would be a pleasant place to smoke some methamphetamine. She decided to build a little fire to better see what she was doing and ended up burning down the great old tree. Instead of doing the sensible thing of calling 911, she took pictures of the poor tree burning and sent them out to her friends, bragging about how she burned down a tree older than Jesus. Fortunately one of her meth head buddies did have a conscience and reported her to the police. Of course she is pleading innocent and her trial is still pending. The park was closed for over a year but reopened on March of 2013. The tree is just a burnt stump now but the "Lady Liberty", a youthful 2,000 year old gigantic cypress is still there and worth a trip to see. Fortunately the grand old tree was cloned before it was destroyed and one of the young and relatively tiny clones of The Senator is now standing in the park. It made me so sad to see the great old tree now just a stump, destroyed by some thoughtless fool with a meth pipe but it was nice to see the little cypress clone reaching for the sky. All we have to do is wait another couple of thousands years for it to reach it's full glory. I wonder if the meth head is still bragging about her accomplishment.

No Longer Yelping B.

My husband and I stopped by the park one Sunday after lunch with friends. I thought "Hey, let's go see one of Earth's oldest trees." so in a snap decision we swung in. The park itself is pretty small and the tree is near the end of the wooden path about 600ft in. I've gotta say it was pretty darned impressive. Even the sister tree "Lady Liberty" at 2000 yrs old is kinda awesome as well. If you're into nerdy science-y Earth stuff, this is certainly a fun way to waste a half hour or so on your way in or out of Sanford. Stop by and say "HI" to the Senator, for he is old and wise ;)

Arlene S.

Nice little park to visit now and then. It's a trailhead for Cross Seminole Trail. This is usually my turning/break spot on the trail when I go for a bike ride. I would bring my own water and snacks and sit at one of the picnic tables. Nice relaxing park to take a walk through an unwind or get away for a bit. Park has been closed since the burning of the senator. It was one of the oldest cypress tree in the US.