BE ADVISED THIS PARK IS CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 2027 FOR RENOVATIONS…read more Nice trails offering easy trails to hike. Plenty of benches to sit and take in nature or take a break on the hot days.

Biven's Arm Nature Park is all the way down at the very end of South Main St. People speed down in…read morethis section, so be extra careful in coming and going! Once you get in the park, there is plenty of parking along with restrooms and a water fountain, as well. The picnic area, where you can rest or have a meal with friends and family, also has a large swing for recreation. This park feels somewhat isolated because of its location, and that adds a nice feeling of privacy. There is a large, covered deck with seating for about 50 people to have meetings, gatherings or even a wedding, if so inclined! The deck seems to have an overlook towards the end, but there is no view because of the overgrowth of vegetation. There is a lake there, but you have to go on the trails to get a good look at it. Bring a water bottle and fill it up, before you go hiking, as it gets pretty hot, depending on the season. It's not an amazing place, but it is quite peaceful and well-kept. If you are lucky, you might see a hawk or large woodpecker, as well as smaller birds.

Extremely boring trail, nothing more than two, one foot tall overlooks. I went here in March, the…read moretrail is very small and the creek overlooks had zero water. If you have kids it has a large playground, in general I dont recommend.

Recently I visited the Hogtown Creek Headwaters Park again, and it has expanded! The nature station…read morethat has been under construction for a while now is finally open, and is staffed on the weekends! There is a really nice exhibit inside detailing the history of the park and the house it is housed in, as well as some history of the area including the pitch farm that was in the area. In addition to the history exhibit, there are also nature exhibits showing the local fauna and flora. Definitely worth a visit now!

Wilmot botanical garden is named for Royal James Roy Wilmot who in 1940 was a horticulturist with…read morethe agricultural experiment Station at the University of Florida . Wilmot was an authority on camellias and classier 3,000 known varieties . This is a nice little park to walk around in front of the hospital with plenty of benches to sit and chill with the plants . Parking is not free

Wilmot Botanical Gardens is located in the heart of the University of Florida's College of Medicine…read moreand is named for Royal James "Roy" Wilmot. Wilmot was a horticulturist with the University of Florida's Agricultural Experiment Station during the 1940's. Wilmot was an authority on camellias (he was a "flower child" before the term was embraced by a generation in the 1960's) and classified many of the 3,000 known varieties of the flowering shrub. Wilmot also served on the American Camellia Society, the offices which were once housed on the grounds of the University of Florida. Wilmot passed away in 1950 and Wilmot Botanical Gardens was named in his honor on January 18, 1954. Wilmot Botanical Gardens is a tranquil place and a great place to escape the stress of the hustle and bustle and the grind of modern day life. All in all, this is a great place and one that I would definitely recommend. At one point, Wilmot Botanical Gardens had the largest collection of camellias in the United States of America and the second largest collection of camellias in the world.

Since Amber Brooke Farm's closure, my mom and I were looking for a new U-Pick farm. After seeing…read morethis place advertised on Instagram, we have made Crossroads our new home. It's pretty simple, and more cost effective especially if you're picking pounds. It typically cost about $4/lb which is standard. The field is huge and plentiful, and you will find some juicy, sweet berries. We stopped by on Tuesday after a weekend of rain - which meant ripe berries. We picked 9 lbs in 30 minutes. This farm is great for families as they have a playground and covered seating. Also, they have additional items that they sell like produce and jams. After coming here a few times, I will say if you can come during the week - definitely make the trip versus the weekend where they will more busy. Hopefully in the future they will have flowers, produce, and other fruit like blueberries for U-Pick and really grow the local farm.

I was looking forward to go to Roger's Farm today for their U Pick Strawberry season…read more My friend, her 2 year old son, and I arrived to find they were closed. We didn't go out of a whim. We checked their website, Instagram, and Facebook before making the trip to make sure they were not out. Their website listed times for Sunday from 11am to 3pm for u-pick. Their Instagram and Facebook had the same posts. Their latest post said they will reopen on Saturday, March 13th and no follow-up post if they were picked out. I even sent them a DM asking if they would be open. I called on Saturday (3/13), early Sunday (3/14) around 8am, and again at 10am & 10:30am to make sure we weren't going to be arrive and then be out of strawberries. When you call the message speaks about closing dates for February, and then says their inbox is full. We got there at 11:33am and found the gate closed. We drove around thinking maybe there would be another entrance, and came back to their only entrance. There was nobody around. We called again; no answer; voicemail full. We checked their websites and social media again for an update -- alas, nothing. My friend's 2 year old was so upset. It was just so disappointing to drive out that far. We think maybe they forgot to "spring forward" with daylight savings, but as my friend said...isn't daylight sayings time meant for farmers? Either way we got there at what would've been less than 30 minutes to open. They should've updated their website, social media, or phone system at the least! We can't support local or farmers if we don't know when they are in business.

This is a park that is well off the beaten path, buried in the back of a small housing development…read moreoff of Newberry Road in Gainesville. There is a small parking area and then a couple of paths that lead into the park. It is but a short walk into the park itself, and I can see it as being a good place to take a dog for a walk. In the park itself there is a small play area for children, as well as a community garden where you will see various food plants being grown. It was a bit overgrown when I was there, but it is towards the end of summer and the way weeds grow right now it isn't all that surprising. The park includes a couple of vita-course implements for exercise, but nothing like some of the other parks in town that have full courses. If you are interested in a park that is well off the beaten path that few people even know of, this should certainly be on your list.

I was beyond pleasantly surprised by this park! Like many other parks, it lists a non-existent…read moreaddress. So we made our way to the neighborhood and just poked around a little until we found the northeast entrance at SW 38th St. There was only parking for one car here. About 50 yards down the paved path from the entrance, there was a fork in the road with a dirt path. The paved path straight ahead leads to private property. Another 50 yards down the dirt path, a clearing in the trees opens to a quaint little playground, a community garden, wide open space, and what appears to be neighborhood sand toys. During our visit, I walked the surrounding paths to discover a small parking lot off SW 40th St. We also had the MOST AMAZING experience with one of the neighbors that participated in the community garden. She invited my kiddos to help pull a turnip, a few carrots, and taste some edible flowers and herbs! It was such a special experience for my family. Wild Spaces Public Places is planning a renovation, closing for 6 weeks beginning March 2019. I hope they are able to keep the special feel of this hidden gem (maybe just add some restrooms)!

You have to bring water!! It is a nice little trek over to…read morethe grassy part of this natural vista, but the summer Florida sun does not abate itself. There is even a stand with pamphlets and two very nice people manning it, to answer your questions. I imagine there are more alligators to see early in the morning, but I went around 10:30a. A nice long boardwalk with one place to sit and get shade from the great ball of fire in the sky. Beautiful trees, remnants of alligator eggs, and water fowl feeding and foraging. I can imagine that the Alachua sink would be more active, after a big rain. I will def go there a day after a big storm, to see the action of the earth!

La Chua Trail is hands down one of the many great spots in Gainesville for wildlife viewing and…read morestunning scenery. Whether you're a birdwatcher, a photography enthusiast, or just someone who loves a peaceful walk through nature, this trail delivers. We visited in February for one of the Rim Ramble ranger-led hikes, which started around 10 AM. Our guide, Ranger Wes, was fantastic--full of historical facts and insights about the landscape that truly enriched the experience. He painted a vivid picture of the area's past while pointing out key features of the ecosystem. The trail itself is easy to navigate and offers an incredible mix of open wetlands, boardwalks, and views of Alachua Lake. Wildlife was everywhere--majestic sandhill cranes & alligators basking in the sun. The early morning mist over the prairie gave everything a magical, almost prehistoric feel. If you're visiting between November and March, I highly recommend joining one of the ranger-led hikes (most Saturdays) to get a unique experience. Whether you go solo or with family and friends, La Chua Trail is an unforgettable slice of Florida's wild beauty. Tip: Bring binoculars, wear comfortable shoes & long pants , and bug spray. Come early for the best wildlife sightings!

It's a lovely, community run history museum with lots of information and exhibits. The volunteer…read morestaff is very enthusiastic and committed. We've always found the museum closed on Memorial Day, This year, it was open. The exhibits cover many topics related to the history and businesses of this small old Florida town. It's well worth the time.

The Micanopy Historical Society Museum is so rich in history, I wouldn't even know where to begin…read more They only ask for a small donation of two dollars, and that's only if you want to give it. Why wouldn't you? This place and these guides are giving you such wonderful experience and information about a really great historical town that is famous in Florida. The antiques that they have here for everyone to see are just amazing. If you're in the area, I highly suggest that if you're here after 1 PM, which is when they open that you stop in and get a look for yourself!

So happy to have come to this garden and to know that people can come and get food from the crops…read more I tasted some grapes and figs that were yummy. The UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Field & Fork Campus Food Program works to provide opportunities for collaboration and learning in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Core parts of this program include the Field & Fork Farm and Gardens and the Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field & Fork Pantry, where students get the opportunity to grow food in a production setting and help provide healthy, fresh food to those in need. Through Field & Fork, people can take courses and participate in activities that explore many facets of food systems, from horticultural practices and food security, to consumption and nutrition. The program also works with faculty, local organizations, and businesses to enhance opportunities for students to apply their education in real world contexts through internships and research.