During the Second Seminole War n 1836, the US Army established Camp Monroe on the shore of Lake…read moreMonroe to unload troops and supplies. On February 8, 1837, a force of Seminole Indians led by Emathla and his son, Coacoochee, attacked the camp, resulting in the Battle of Camp Monroe. Captain Charles Mellon died defending the fort and 14 soldiers were injured. The fort was renamed in his honor. Mellon was said to be buried near where he was killed under a large tree. Over the following months, the other soldiers killed at Fort Mellon were buried at a cemetery nearby the fort. Later on Mellon was reinterred in a cemetery in St. Augustine but not all of the bodies were moved. The remaining dead, about 20-26, who were buried at Fort Mellon are still there and nobody knows exactly where. Over time, the fort was abandoned and the cemetery was lost. The area around the fort developed into the city of Mellonville which was eventually annexed by Sanford. In January of 1938, the city commission voted to name a new park after Fort Mellon. Today the park is a popular gathering spot for outdoor recreation for the City of Sanford. Over 17 acres the community can enjoy basketball courts, outdoor exercise equipment, a fort themed playground, eight picnic pavilions equipped with tables and grills, and Central Florida's largest splash pad. The history, waterfront views, and well kept facilities have made this park a beloved destination for family fun in Sanford for decades. This park is a destination for family community gatherings, play, and fitness. Fort Mellon Park connects to the Sanford Riverwalk for even more recreational opportunities. .

This park is located right by the water in downtown Sanford. We were exploring the downtown area…read moreand had to stop when we saw the huge park. The park has has two sides. One for bigger kids and then a side for smaller kids. Perfect for families of different aged children. Both sides have really fun features for the kids. The older side resembles a castle with lots climbing, slides and a draw bridge. The younger side resembles a ship. It has rocking boats, shorter steps, and baby swings. This park has a nice padded floor but it is not covered. With the water near by and the direct sunlight it can be very hot for children so pay attention to this. Next to the park is the splash pad which is very large and fun for kids. The bathroom is located between the two. Some parts of the park seem unfinished or under construction. Overall it's a nice park with a lot to offer for locals or visitors.

My son loves this camp! This year will be the 3rd year he attends. He went since he was 4 and this…read morewas one of the only camps that allowed this. They have a bunch of fun activities for the kids, kona shaved ice cream days, pizza days, water days, they watch movies when its too hot out. He loves it and has made very good friends there too. Cant wait to see what this next year will bring. Thanks guys!

My kids have been going to SportsTyme for the past 4 years and we are continued to be amazed every…read moreyear. Their staff is kind and patient with the kids as well as they know how to have fun with them. They offer so many different activities and also a water day to help keep cool during summer. I never worry about my kids when they are at SportsTyme, because I know they will have a great time while experiencing different sports and activities, and be safe at the same time. In addition to this, SportsTyme has been a school Business Partner of Keeth Elementary for years and now Indian Trails Middle School. The owner believes in supporting the community and schools in the area and giving back, and that's the kind of business I want to support! :-)

Escape Artists in Sanford is a really solid spot if you're into escape rooms. They have several…read moredifferent rooms with varying levels of difficulty, which makes it fun whether you're new to escape rooms or you've done a bunch before. I've actually done all of their rooms, and I've genuinely liked every single one. Each room feels a little different, the puzzles are well thought out, and they're challenging without feeling impossible. It's clear a lot of effort went into the design and flow of the rooms. The staff has always been friendly and helpful as well, which makes the experience even better. Overall it's a great local place for escape rooms and definitely somewhere I'd recommend if you're looking for a fun group activity in Sanford

They only have 3 rooms but the room we did was well done. Challenging but not impossible. Aliyah…read morewas helpful and we managed to get through the room. It was fun and we would definitely go back.We did Secret Society.

All the coaches are passionate about seeing their students succeed. Very friendly atmosphere. My…read morekids attend classes 4 days a week and are learning a lot. Each class I see progression. Coach Dave and Coach Melissa are wonderful instructors and leaders.

You will find this review elsewhere, as it's the best I can come up with and I will be displaying…read moreit everywhere I can because it's how I like to show my appreciation. Darkwolf MMA: A World-Class Experience Darkwolf MMA is more than deserving of a five-star rating. Disregard any negative comments you might see; they likely come from individuals unfamiliar with the inner workings of MMA gyms. FYI, I'm just a proud father of a 13 year old son that you can meet when you come to the gym. My name's Christopher "Chris" Lee and just started bringing my son to Darkwolf January 2 of this year. Championship Excellence: At every Jiu Jitsu youth tournament I've witnessed, someone from Darkwolf has always emerged victorious in their weight class. Impressively, my son, a newcomer and new to the sport, clinched second place in the past two tournaments--a remarkable achievement! Even if they didn't place, it wouldn't indicate bad training if you knew anything about how MMA or Jiu Jitsu works. Beyond Training: Becoming a world-class fighter is a complex journey that goes beyond training. The trainers at Darkwolf are exceptional, offering expertise that encompasses the psychological, disciplinary, and nuanced aspects of MMA. Fun and Skill: The fusion of rigorous skill-building and a lively, engaging environment is truly special. Witnessing the children's joy during training sessions is a reflection of the gym's commitment to nurturing every aspect of their growth. The varied skill levels among the children are a delight to observe, showcasing that the journey to mastery is as much about personal dedication as it is about quality training. World-Class Potential: The potential for producing a world-class fighter at Darkwolf MMA is undeniable, given their excellent training regimen. It's hard to imagine how they could improve. If they never produce a world class fighter (a rare feat), it has nothing to do with their lack of ability to train a world class fighter and more about the dedication of the fighter themselves. Thank you, Darkwolf MMA, for your outstanding contribution to the martial arts community! Celebrating the Lohsen Family's Martial Arts Mastery David Lohsen: The At-Home Training Expert/Professor. He extends his martial arts expertise through instructional YouTube videos. These tutorials are invaluable for those practicing at home, ensuring that your training remains on point even away from the gym. Melissa Lohsen: A Champion of self-defense, or Warrior, as endearingly called by some. She is a standout instructor at Darkwolf. Not only does she excel in connecting with children, but she also offers valuable self-defense techniques through her YouTube videos, empowering women and girls with the skills to protect themselves. Even disabled males like me can learn from this, lol. Christian Lohsen: An instructor and a star at Darkwolf MMA whose fights can be found on YouTube. Those videos display an impressive array of skills, from precise strikes to fluid grappling techniques. Together, the Lohsen family exemplifies the spirit of Darkwolf MMA, blending passion, skill, and a sense of community. Whether you're watching Christian's fights, Melissa's self-defense videos, or following David's detailed tutorials, the essence of Darkwolf MMA is always present. A round of applause for David, Melissa, and Christian Lohsen for their significant contributions to martial arts, both in and out of the gym!

5 stars for this great new add to Lake Mary baseball! They have batting cages, bullpens, pitching…read moremachines, including one with HitTrax, which shows you where you are hitting based on your swing so you can adjust your stance and swing. They offer camps, clinics and lessons as well as cage rentals. They have a parent lounge and free WiFi as well as a Rawlings pro shop. They are running a Founders 300 special for their grand opening for Platinum memberships for $58/mo. This includes unlimited credits in the batting cages, 30% off camps and clinics and 15% off the pro shop. The owners, Pete and Cathy and the GM, Ryan and their staff are awesome! They are so welcoming and accommodating . Our boys have spent hours there each day since they opened and everyone there is friendly and kind. This baseball family has found our favorite place to practice this summer!

The staff at the front office was very kind and helpful. It was a great experience for the boys.read more

Great local bowling spot. Not huge, so if there's an event going on you may not be able to get a…read morelane, but on a typical day or night we've never had an issue getting one. Pricing seems pretty average. I was really impressed with the food--we had pizza, a BBQ flatbread, and chicken tenders with fries, and everything was better than expected. I also love that in the evening they dim the lights and do glow-in-the-dark bowling, which makes it really fun. Overall, a great family night out for us.

Amazing bowling center. The food is good but not overpriced. The staff is attentive and takes care…read moreof you. It feels like the bowling house you see in any movie. Perfect for a date night. Not too big and has all the fun things for a date: food, alcohol, an arcade, and the largest pinball collection I have ever seen. The menu is not huge but it has enough for everyone to be happy. The bar has enough kind of alcohols to keep you satisfied.

We like it for the pickleball courts but this park has a baseball field, basketball court and…read moreskatepark. The pickleball court gets packed in the evenings but during early morning times on the weekend it's not so busy.

Cool skatepark in the Candyland Sports Complex. It looks like it is bike friendly, as well. It is…read moredefinitely a cool spot. Not huge, but it is a great spot for the community.

Great walking trails through the forest, & paved biking trails. Saw lots of friendly bicyclists…read more Air pump & bicycle tools available for bicyclists near the restrooms. Parking gets full, but there's additional parking north on Fatio. Saw small wild blueberries. A tiny red tick dropped from the trees & landed dangling in my hair. Only saw that one. Great shade & lots of plant diversity. Fun seeing the different trees & plants. Saw a Giant Leopard Moth caterpillar also.

I love Lake Beresford. My favorite place to get my outdoor time in. I love how quiet and shady this…read moreplace is. A paved 1.8 mile path to run and even have the option to try the spring to spring trail if you dare. Can't wait for the expansion that's coming.