One of my favorite trails, as it is fully paved and, stretches for miles. It beautiful and well…read morekept. At different parts of the trail you will find various places to park, along with play grounds, basket ball court, and areas to sit. It's great for walking, running, bike riding..etc.

Little Econ is one of my favorite trails in the Orlando area. Beautiful place to enjoy time in…read morenature with the family!

Pine Lily Preserve is off the beaten path, but it is a cool place to get away from the hustle and…read morebustle of the daily grind and get lost in the woods and get back to nature. It is basically a path through the woods, some parts with gravel and some with just grass and dirt. Still, it is a peaceful escape. There is a small parking lot. All in all, a cool hidden gems. Come check it out.

Waterford Lakes Community Association offers a wonderful park for the residents of Waterford Lakes…read more While this park cannot compare to the larger parks in Orlando like Lake Eola Park, this park is still very enjoyable to spend some time in and a wonderful addition to the Waterford Lakes community. It has elliptical machines, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a nice park sit around a small lake. All of this equals to a nice place to spend some time. I find myself coming to this park more and more often. It is close to my home and it is a pleasant walk around this small lake. There is off street parking, which is kind of necessary in Waterford Lakes. Again, this part cannot rival some of the larger parks in Orlando like Lake Eola Park, but for a community park, Waterford Lakes Community Association boasts an impressive park for our community. I give it five stars as an overall rating.

Beautiful well kept area that's perfect to go for a stroll around the park, meet with some…read morefriends, have a picnic, ride your bike or even use the facilities if you are a Waterford Lakes resident or guest. Pretty big area with a playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, pool and a nice walking/jogging trail for you to enjoy the scenery.

I love spending time in nature, so I was delighted to discover this short trail tucked away inside…read moreDr. P. Phillips Community Park. While there isn't any parking directly next to the trailhead, it's only a short walk from the main parking area. The trail was created through a corporate sponsorship between Orange County and Orlando-based LongHorn Steakhouse, helping to fund and preserve local green spaces for the community to enjoy. Fun fact: The very first LongHorn Steakhouse opened on August 10, 1981, on Peachtree Road in Atlanta in a building that previously housed an adult bookstore. The LongHorn trail meanders through 10 acres of Florida scrub habitat, also known as a xeric hammock community. This unique ecosystem is one of the state's most endangered habitats because it occurs on higher, well-drained elevations, he same areas that are often targeted for development. It's a challenging environment where plants and wildlife have evolved adaptations to survive the dry, sandy conditions. As you stroll along the sandy path, you may see native species such as sand pines, sabal palms, Adams needle yucca, grapevines, ferns, lichens, songbirds, cicadas, raccoons, and perhaps even a threatened species of gopher tortoise crossing the trail. This is an easy hike that just about anyone can do as long as you can walk on soft, sandy terrain. Benches are placed along the trail, offering spots to rest before reaching an observation area overlooking Big Sand Lake. Once there you can sit quietly, enjoy a picnic, or simply take in the scenery. Although Dr. Phillips orange groves that once covered this area have long since been turned into residential and commercial development, it's nice to know that you can still find pockets of Florida's natural landscape that have been preserved. Trails like this offer a peaceful escape and a place for Florida's native animals and plants to find a home.

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.

Howell Branch Preserve is a small park, but it is overall, a pleasant enough park…read more It has a pavilion, a children's playground, a stargazing station, fitness stops and a small walking path. It is well-maintained and has off-street parking Again, it is not a large park, but a park does not need to be large to bring value to its surrounding community. This park definitely brings value to its neighborhood.

Howell Branch Preserve is a beautiful park in Winter Park but it is more than just a place of…read morerecreation. This is an environmentally important preserve that contains Howell Creek which connects Lake Maitland with Lake Howell. The stream flows north to feed the St. John's River. In 2017, the City of Winter Park purchased 43.4 acres of wetlands and floodplain lands that bordered existing city properties and portions of Howell Branch Creek. All of the lakes in Winter Park drain to the creek in Howell Branch Preserve. The preserve serves the important function of capturing water overflow so it does not flood neighborhoods and it cleans the storm water before it gets to Lake Jesup and out to the middle of the Sr. Johns River basin. Howell Branch Preserve offers a peaceful escape with plenty of opportunities to connect with nature. Whether you're looking for a relaxing walk or a chance to explore local wildlife, this well-maintained and scenic spot provides an engaging outdoor experience. The 10.38 acre preserve has a finished park area surrounded by wetlands and natural habitat located on the north side of Howell Branch Road, west of Temple Drive. Amenities in the park include a large playground, boardwalk and observation deck overlooking the wetlands, fitness trail with exercise equipment that uses your own body weight to work out, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, and open lawn area for play or unstructured games. A gravel parking lot is available at the entrance to the fenced in preserve. The City of Winter Park owns another 50 acres parcel beyond the park. Plans are in the works to create trails so that people can hike to other city properties and even into Maitland. I love that Winter Park is committed to increasing parks in the city and to protecting important ecologically areas like this one that are critical to water health which impacts the entire environment. I can't wait to see how this area continues to develop.

I came here with my homeschooling co-op, they did a free mini class event for us. Very nice of the…read moreteacher to take the time to teach the kiddos all about navigation and she made it really fun for them as well as broke it down for them to understand in game form. I think it lasted about 25 mins or so. Only wish I would have walked more into their trail to see the water view if there is one I didn't get to see it. In all a cool spot to get a bit of history and sight seeing.

Wow! What a cool place. My husband and I have been choosing a different nature sanctuary in…read moreBrevard county to explore and walk, today we chose Sams house and Pine Island sanctuary. We decided to park at the Pine Island end of the trail, there are a couple of rustic areas to park. The trail head for the Pine Island loop which is about 3/4 of a mile is near the manatee viewing area and kayak launch. The walk from parking area to the start of the garnet trail which takes you to Sam's house is a wide open green area that is used for walking or horseback riding, there is no shade but if you're lucky there is a beautiful breeze along the lake. The trail to Sam's house is very rustic with some boardwalks and lots of root covered ground. The path is clear but some areas a a little soft due to the surrounding canals. Sam's house is one of the original homes in Merritt Island. There are areas with explanations and examples of what was grown and sold in the area. Apparently there were prehistoric animal remains found in the area as well as the burial mound of Indigenous people. This is a definite place to revisit and explore the other trails and bits of history.

This 92-acre Brevard County park, located behind the Eastern Florida State College gymnasium, is an…read moreexample of how environmental restoration and public recreation can coexist together. It was created through a unique partnership among Brevard County Natural Resources Watershed Management, Eastern Florida State College, the City of Titusville, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and Parrish Medical Center. Within the park is a series of interconnected lakes designed as a stormwater treatment system that cleans runoff from both Titusville and unincorporated Brevard County before it enters the Indian River Lagoon. Wetland vegetation naturally filters pollutants from the water, improving its quality before it returns to the environment. Without this treatment, stormwater runoff can contribute to algal blooms, muck accumulation, fish kills, and other ecological problems that threaten the lagoon's health. Beyond its environmental benefits, the restored wetlands provide valuable habitat for wildlife, particularly Florida's wading birds, while offering visitors opportunities for nature observation and outdoor recreation. The park contains a variety of habitats, including artificial lakes, freshwater wetlands, salt marshes, mangrove communities, and hardwood and sabal palm hammocks. Visitors can explore approximately three miles of paved trails, including a scenic 2.6-mile loop for walking, running, and cycling. Additional amenities include a five-story wildlife observation tower offering a stunning view of the wetlands, athletic fields, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and access to the surrounding trail network. The park is an official stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a statewide network of more than 500 premier wildlife-viewing sites. It is well known for its abundant wildlife, and visitors can expect to see Ospreys, herons, egrets, turtles, and alligators, one reason swimming is prohibited in the lakes. During my visit, I spotted Black Vultures, a Great Blue Heron, and a Great Egret. Other species frequently seen here include Wood Storks, Glossy Ibises, Cattle Egrets, Mottled Ducks, Laughing Gulls, and Forster's Terns. Roseate Spoonbills make occasional appearances, along with Bald Eagles while ospreys are common throughout the park. During migration along the hammock trails you may find songbirds such as Prairie Warblers in spring and fall, or Painted Buntings during the winter months. The park also hosts the annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, one of the largest birding festivals in the country. Cyclists will appreciate that the park serves as a trailhead for both the Brevard Coast-to-Coast Trail and the East Coast Greenway, providing miles of additional scenic riding along the corridor that parallels US 1. Chain of Lakes Park demonstrates how wetlands can improve water quality, support wildlife, and help protect one of Florida's most valuable ecosystems while also making a great recreational space for wildlife photography, walking, cycling, and play in a beautiful natural setting.

Beautiful park with a nice playground. The park itself has all kinds of things like a soccer field…read moreand more. It's huge but we only went to the playground area. There's a few benches and picnic tables. It's clean with pretty surroundings.