This playground is incredible! A community funded project, this playground is not to be missed - it…read morehas designs and features I haven't seen anywhere else! We love stopping to play here if we are in the Deland area. Freedom Playground has plenty of parking, bathrooms, pavilions with picnic tables, and playground equipment that can be used by a wide range of ages and body abilities. I love that the park has one main entrance gate to keep kids contained and also has the little kid area separate from the big kid area. There are accessibility features like wheelchair accessible ramps for the playground equipment and a ground level merry-go-round. There's plenty of slides, climbing and obstacles, a zip line, pirate ships, pretend play houses, and all the features you would want in a playground. I love the nods to Florida with multiple gators throughout! Freedom Park is a Florida gem!

From what I've read online, DeLand faced the exact same issue that so many municipalities around…read morethe country have faced and continue to face regarding what to do with their playgrounds. At one point in time it was a thing to build these large destination playgrounds made out of wood. While a nice idea on paper, eventually the upkeep proves to be problematic and expensive. Eventually the municipality is faced with the hard choice of costly renovations that will need to be redone in the not too distant future, demolishing the structure or trying to replace it with something more modern/contemporary. Either way it equals a lot of money that usually is nowhere to be found. Thankfully a few years ago DeLand along with residents, area companies, school children and a newly formed non-profit committee figured out how to replace the original wooden structure. Amazingly over 300K in private donations were raised along with DeLand kicking in the rest and what you have today is an amazing structure/facility. In my own area there have a been a few success stories with places like this: www.savekidscastle.org/ But there have also been a few mismanaged disasters with places like this: articles.mcall.com/2004-11-19/news/3571642_1_playground-jungle-gym-time-capsule What works here: * Lots of parking * Solidly clean bathrooms * Lots of shaded areas * Super safe recycled rubber ground which means no tracking mulch into the car * A very needed water fountain * Lots of different structures/play areas/misters that offer a ton of diversity What doesn't work: * At least when we were here the zipline was in sad shape. It needs to be raised up or just gotten rid of it because it was way too low to be enjoyable. I don't want to lay on the hyperbole but honestly aside one other park (Kids Castle in Doylestown, PA) this place is the nicest that I've ever seen and even though my kids are arguably a bit on the too old side to be enjoying a place like this, they still did. Great job DeLand! What an awesome place for the community!

Reed Canal Park is a nice addition to the community around it. It is not a huge park by any means,…read morehowever it is a pleasant enough place and it is kind of cool to watch the kids feeding the turtles. Apparently, feeding the turtles is a pretty commonplace things here, because the turtles knew the minute they seen human beings to swim towards the bridge and wait for the inevitable downpour of food offerings. There are two entrances to the park. One has swings and all that and the other one really just focuses on the little water there. I would definitely recommend that if you were in the area to stop by. Make sure you bring some kind of food offering for the turtles. There are also plenty of ducks and other birds around and while there are signs asking you not to feed the birds bread, they do say that they like rice and other things.

Favorite disc golf course around. Great animals to look at, hawks, owls, feeding squirrels.read more

Riverwalk Park in Port Orange, Florida is located right on Ridgewood Avenue, yet it is a great…read morelittle park to escape the rigors and stress living in the modern world. If you have children, there is a great splash park on the property and you can also rent Kayaks to go into the Halifax River. It also has a pretty good view of the Halifax. The property is spaced nicely and it is an attractive and peaceful place they come and spend some time. There is plenty of parking and the property is well-maintained. I would definitely recommend a visit here. I also have to give it five stars (). If you find yourself in Port Orange, come by and check it out.

Love this park. It's right on the Halifax River. Has a splash pad, jungle gym stuff for the kids…read more Covered picnick tables with grills at each one and a huge open field to play in, fly a kite or whatever your heart desires

River Bend Nature Park is a nice little oasis of nature on a predominantly industrial area. I was,…read morein fact, on my way to a business meeting in an indpark when I came across it. It appears to be more geared towards mountain bike riding, though it has a pavilion and a children's playground there. It also has a building with bathrooms. All in all, this is a nice park.

Ok, maybe this was my fault, but I google searched for a bike trail nearby and this popped up. It…read morewas a very intense Mountain Bike park! If that is what you are looking for then this is your place! If you are looking for a relaxing one level bike trail, this is not your place! I will say, it's very well maintained, and looked like the bikers were having fun.

4 reasons to come to this park. ***NEW INFORMATION***…read more There isn't any fee for everything I'm mentioning EXCEPT the front part of the off beach parking area ****** 1st is MY reason: I go here because it has 2 fenced in HUGH dog play areas. My girls go into the small dog play area while yes, big dogs go in the other one. Each play area has benches, water and poop bags in different areas of the park. (Some people leave balls there also otherwise, you bring your own) I walk the perimeter while the girls run after me and the other dogs. My 2 rescues "mother/daughter" duo are still puppies, full of muscle and need to run for their exercise. (for me to rest because they are a handful) 2nd: There is A children's play area. I know they have swings slides picnic benches but I'm not sure what else because I don't have a child to go there. I hear all of the children laughing, having fun so I'm sure it's pretty nice. 3rd: They also have back to back courts for... I know one is basketball, the other one may be pickleball? Not quite sure but again I see lots of people playing on the courts even if I'm not paying attention to them 4th: Which is most likely you wanted 1st is the large parking area across from the beach As you first drive into the park, there is a huge off beach parking area where You can (of course) park and walk right across to the beach. * BE AWARE, It is no longer "free" parking (just like ALL the parking areas in Volusia county) **The parking areas are free for local residents as long as you register with your car license plate and proof that you are indeed a resident here. ***I don't know what the policy is, you will have to look it up in The Volusia County rules I do know it's $20 a day parking (and all the parking areas now) BUT, I do know it is a great park with something to do for all AS for pictures, I will put them up when I go again BUT, here is a shot of my cute ladies and something strange that someone put up. Stick figures that I don't know their meaning

Great park on the highway! Ample parking spots (more than 1 lot). Clean bathrooms by the beach as…read morewell as by the playground & fields. Nice large & small dog off-leash fenced areas. Worth a stop!

Outstanding natural area in Volusia county. Encompass miles of salt marsh shoreline and hiking…read moretrails. It's amazing natural beauty makes it a perfect place to get away and enjoy nature.

What a beautiful place. First the tree that is over 2000 years old. Wow!!! It's fantastic how they…read morehave it as such a prominent feature of the park. For a state park it is smaller as far as 'things to do' outside of hikes but there is a CLEAN real bathroom and dog bags for clean up and clearly marked trails. It is beautiful. Also a few places to sit and enjoy a picnic. If you love nature and just want to take it in this is a good place. Plus it's right on the 'Ormond Scenic Loop' which is gorgeous and a must see on your travels as well.

Not to crowded nice beach with facility's.State park entrance fee $5.00 worth every penny.Plenty of…read moreparking with easy access ramp.

Gamble Rogers State Park is another gem in the crown that is Flagler Beach, Florida. My family and…read moreI finally had a chance to spend some time here today, and we really enjoyed it! The park is actually split in two - divided by picturesque Florida Highway A1A (a gem in itself). The ocean side has a honor system pay box where you deposit $5 for the day, and place a numbered stub on your dashboard. The Intracoastal side has a ranger station, staffed by very friendly and informative park rangers. We ended up picking up a yearly family pass for $120. This allows up to eight people to access any of Florida's 175 State Parks. Gamble Rogers is immaculately clean and well-maintained. The picnic areas on the Intracoastal side are particularly nice! The boat ramp and kayak launching areas are very nice as well. Bathrooms were impeccably tidy - something that's always appreciated! We spent some time walking on the Joe Kenner Nature trail, and saw lots of wildlife. There are many campsites here (on both sides). We did not check out these areas because the roads were marked "for registered campers only." My only disappointment was that the beachside public walkover to the beach itself was closed - presumably due to storm damage. Hopefully this gets opened soon, as the only was to access the Gamble Rogers SP Beach would be to utilize one of the several walkovers in the beachside campground (not sure if this is allowed - will ask next time I'm there). Can't wait to go back - a super-nice State Park that is only a few minutes from my home.

Always love going here! My kiddos love seeing the resident gator and all the turtles.read more

Great place to go see nature and spen the day looking at gators and turtles and all sorts of other…read morewild life