There is a small parking area here and overall, it was a nice path to walk…read more It is easto forget that we are on the outskirts of a major U S. city and it is a great place to escape to. I would definitely recommend a visit here.

Lovely 1 mile trail through woods, fields and along the river. Much of the wooded trail is…read moremogully but manageable. Lots of cypress knees along the trail along the river. Though it's only 1 mile you feel like you've gotten your nature connection

Seminole Ranch Conversation Area is located just across from the Orlando Wetlands Park and is an…read moreopen area with cattle. It was pleasant enough to walk, but I would recommend keeping an eye focused on the ground. Where there is cattle, well, cattle eat and that food has to go somewhere. Still, a cool place.

Across the road from the more well known Orlando Wetlands Preserve is the 6,000 acre Seminole Ranch…read moreConservation Area bounded on the east by the St. Johns River and on the south by SR 50. Portions of this vast conservation area are in four counties and it was the first in Florida to be acquired with funds from the Save Our Rivers program. Seminole Ranch Conservation Area includes 12 miles of the St. Johns River. Ninety-six percent of the area is part of the St. Johns River floodplain and the hydric hammocks in this conservation area helps to filter nutrients out during seasonal flooding. What makes this area unique is the plants that grow in the salty water flowing from springs near Harney and Puzzle Lakes. The salt tolerating marine dwelling organisms found here are not present anywhere else on the St. Johns River. Seminole Ranch is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Many migratory and resident wading birds are frequently found here. Roseate spoonbills, white pelicans, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, painted buntings, and turkeys have all been recorded. Recreational activities permitted in this conservation area include hunting with proper permits and licenses, fishing, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, hiking, paddling, boating, bicycling and picnicking. Running through the property are more than 4 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Camping is permitted only at the trail campsites along the Florida Trail for hikers accessing the area by the Florida National Scenic Trail. Much of the landscape of the preserve is open. About a half mile from the parking lot is the Fishhawk Camp with a picnic table and fire ring. Throughout the preserve expect to find large marshes, miles of open water, pine woods, and hammocks. Although central Florida is densely populated, this is a place where you are able to revel in the remoteness. Those looking for a short hike are best served by the Orlando Wetlands but long distance hikers and backpackers looking for a quiet getaway will appreciate all that Seminole Ranch has to offer.

Robert Nicol Jr. Park is one of several scenic waterfront parks lining the Indian River Lagoon in…read morethis area but what makes this one different is that it honors a fallen hero. This park is a memorial to Brevard County Sheriff's Deputy Robert Nicol Jr., who was killed in the line of duty on September 30, 1987, after being struck by a vehicle on U.S. 1 following a traffic stop. Born in Coatbridge, Scotland, Deputy Nicol served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1971, earning two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and the Army Commendation Medal for his courageous service during the Vietnam War before continuing his commitment to public service as a law enforcement officer. Today, this peaceful 5.03 acre riverfront park provides an outdoor community recreation space. Visitors will find four covered picnic shelters named after native birds: Falcon, Kingfisher, Scrub Jay, and Owl along with a playground, drinking fountain, benches, and approximately 700 feet of shoreline perfect for fishing and enjoying the beauty of the Indian River Lagoon. A paved walking path winds beneath shade trees, creating an inviting spot for stroll. Like many waterfront parks in Titusville, Robert Nicol Jr. Park also offers excellent views of rocket launches from nearby Kennedy Space Center, and the park remains open, along with its restrooms, for scheduled launches outside normal operating hours. During my visit I appreciated the peaceful atmosphere and the beautiful views across the lagoon. This park is ideal for letting the kids burn off some energy, enjoying a picnic by the water, casting a fishing line, or simply pausing to soak in the scenery. How nice that this park honors Robert Nicol Jr., a man who dedicated his life to serving others.

Small park we found we visited to eat our ice cream from Tropic, as it was right across Hwy 1…read more There is a nice stretch of coastal water with benches - don't need much else! There was a group area, picnic tables, parking lot, big grassy area (not in great condition), and the shoreline - OK for a short stop. Really windy when we stopped by, not sure if that's typical. Fun to see the beautiful birds grazing on the grass as a bonus.

This is a small but pleasant park on U.S. Highway 1 in Titusville, Florida. The one thing that…read morestood out to me here is that the squirrels had seemingly no fear of humans and openly approached me. One even came and sniffed at my shoes much like a dog would. Anyway, they have picnic tables that have a roof above it. I guess a pavilion, but almost all of them are single picnic tables, so let's call them personal pavilions. They also have a children's playground.

Overlooking Kennedy Space Center across the Indian River, William J Manzo Memorial Park is a small,…read moretreesy, county park with tables, picnic shelters, & restrooms. The Indian River offers great views of many launch pads & the Vehicle Assembly Building, as well as playful dolphins & other wildlife. Both pads of Launch Complex 39 are easily visible from Manzo Park, which is why I've been here to watch three launches. Public bathrooms are available when the park is open, though often I have found toilet paper to be lacking. This was again the case on my last visit, though soap & paper towels were sufficient. The ladies' restroom has 2 stalls and one sink. Note, the facilities don't have A/C or heat. Maybe 5 years ago, hubs & I were driving through Titusville, after a launch we were there to see had been scrubbed that day, and we passed this park. I remembered the view, but had never visited not related to a launch. So we stopped. Though we were there less than an hour, I had never seen so many dolphins at one time! They were clearly frolicking & I thoroughly enjoyed watching. My first visit to this park was on Friday, May 14 2010 for STS-132, which was originally scheduled to be the last launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis (now resting at KSCVC). My sister & I underestimated traffic and ended up on US 1 very close to launch time. Spotting this park, she quickly pulled onto a residential side street to park, & we briskly walked over to the park, with mere minutes to spare. Our view of 39-A was as perfect as possible from Titusville! What an amazing view... And the SOUND! So about a year later, on Friday, July 8, 2011, I knew I had to see the final Space Shuttle launch in-person. Announced a few months after the launch I'd witnessed in 2010, this was actually Atlantis' last flight, as well as the final mission of the space shuttle program. Again launching from LC 39-A, STS-135 would be the last launch of humans from US soil for nearly 9 years. Astronaut Doug Hurley was on this flight, though no one knew then that he would help usher in the next generation of human-rated launch vehicles, built by a company in the private sector. The last Saturday in May 2020, we ended up parking near Manzo Park to watch #LaunchAmerica, SpaceX's first attempt at a crewed launch. OK, second attempt, since Wednesday's launch was scrubbed due to lightning in the vicinity. BUT, this was the first launch of humans from US soil since the Space Shuttle program had ended. My daughter rode with me, and my friend followed in her own car to maintain social distancing. We found a spot for $10 each to park with easy exiting & camera surveillance, right across US 1 from Manzo Park. About 20 minutes before launch, we donned our PPE & walked the half block to watch. The park was packed with excited spectators, and we were not disappointed that day... another great view of a flawless launch! Even though this was a smallish Falcon 9 rocket, the sound was just as amazing as it rolled across the water in waves. William J Manzo Memorial Park is obviously one of my favorite vantage points for watching a launch from Titusville. And this park is also a quiet respite on non-launch days in any season. Of course, I'll be back.

Hidden Pond Preserve is located on 520 just across the street from Wedgefield and offers a nice…read morediversion from the realities of modern life and allows you to embark on a walk through a bit of nature. I wish the path was a little smoother, it appears that heavy vehicles plowed through this route more than once, but for the most part, it is a nice walk. There are arrows pointing you through the way, dictating levels of difficulty of the path before you. The hidden pond is pretty cool and the centerpiece of the walk. I would recommend a visit here if you ate in the area. It is a great place to clear your head and cleanse your soul.

This area is open to hiking when the hunting seasons are closed, Its good for birdwatching and up…read moreto 9 miles of hking or more if you repeat areas. We found the parking area open with plenty of room. The easiest walk is to Buck Lake which is about 2 miles round trip. The trail is a road hunters use and is between wetlands. One you get to the turnoff from the main road to Buck Lake, the road passes underneath lots of conifers. It leads to an overlook of the lake which is handy if you want to look down on warblers and other birds. There's one group camping site at this location. We spotted wild pigs, sandhill crane, glossy and white ibis, great egret, Audubon's Warbler (Yellow-rumped), and a bunch of wildflowers. The overlook has two old patio chairs so that you can rest awhile. There are no restroom facilities. Bring water, binoculars, camera, tripod. Best time for viewing is near sunset.

Veterans Memorial Park in Titusville serves as a tribute to the men and women who have served our…read morecountry. Dedicated on July 4, 1991, the memorial sits connected to Space View Park by a pier along the scenic Indian River at the east end of Broad Street. The centerpiece of the park is the Circle of Memories, an 80 foot circular memorial featuring ten granite monuments with bronze plaques that honor the ten major U.S. conflicts, from the American Revolution through more modern wars, including Desert Storm. At the heart of the circle stands a Peace Monument, representing hope for the future. In addition to commemorating America's wars, the memorial includes special tributes to the courageous Tuskegee Airmen and to the hundreds of Allied soldiers who lost their lives in the tragic sinking of the S.S. Leopoldville during World War II. These memorials to lesser known chapters of history spotlight those whose service and sacrifice might otherwise be overlooked. The serves as the gathering place for Titusville's annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. it is also a great place to watch a space launch since the Kennedy Space center is less than 15 miles away across the lagoon. The thoughtful design, scenic waterfront location, and memorials make this an exceptional Veteran's Park.

This is a small park by Space View Park and is located down at the end of a street. There really is…read moreno parking lot, but there is plenty of on street parking. This is definitely a park that you would want to check out if you are in Titusville, Florida. While you are here, walk over to Spave View Park and check out two great parks. We need parks like this. Parks to gather as a community and also to remember those in history who helped allow us to live as we do. This park remembers our veterans.

Great place! Near the center of Oviedo, and has a good scenic path around the lake and fountain…read more Lots of seating, and clean bathrooms! Also near a good trail. Lots of safety crossings with flashing lights so cars stop for you. Love it here!

Solary Park is located in Oviedo and is a decent place to come and spend some time. The main thing…read moreto do here is to walk around the small lake. There is a small parking lot dedicated to the park and the park, though small, is a nice park. All in all, are we definitely recommend this small park.