Sparkly Tour de Parks

08/20/2026

I have so many awesome parks to show y’all and a few shady ones. I am walking this month in Jacksonville Florida USA. I live partly in San Diego and partly in St Augustine with an assignment in Jax and a mostly remote assignment abroad. I have literally visited 135 more parks! I have been making so many connections with people and have come across more stranger. Danger is then I would have expected But it’s all about perception right?! So blessed we have another day! Here is an inspirational and upbeat walkin’ songs playlist I made for our journey! Wave when you see me (physically and on-line 👋) Enjoy! 🎵👣🐾🦶 PS Here is a walking playlist I created on the modern tele 📺

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07/06/2026

Park #42 Bulls Bay Preserve “a 1,222-acre nature preserve in Jacksonville, Florida, known for its wetlands, swamps, and trails for hiking and mountain biking, including a unique small waterfall. It features large oak trees, lily ponds, and serves as a vital wildlife corridor, with access points including the Old Plank Road trailhead and a northern swamp trail off Imeson Road. The preserve offers a peaceful, natural escape with diverse habitats and is a popular spot for birdwatching and exploring Florida's landscape. “

The cycling course is pretty amazing.  I have hiked here several times to take pictures of the beautiful waterfall and walk the trails. I rode the bike trails in the beginning, but recently they have made some really awesome renovations and jumps. A little far out of my pay grade yeah fun to check out.

This park is Fido Friendly! 🐩🦮🐕‍🦺

📍 Bulls Bay Preserve 8017 Old Plank Rd Jacksonville FL 32202

 There’s also a great local old Timey barbecue place around the corner that is worth trying at least once “When in Rome”

📍 Gator’s BBQ 8142 West Beaver Street Jacksonville FL 32220

06/23/2026

Park #41 Memorial Park in Riverside (Jacksonville FL USA). Here is a great story about the lady who built the park. She also is responsible for the Cu**er Museum next door to the Saturday Riverside Arts Market. The park is nice as it sits along the Saint johns river, which is one of the very few rivers in the world that flow up / north.  I

t is a rather large park and a great place to take a blanket or a book after you walk around and get some exercise. Major picnic vibes here! I can remember during one of the hurricanes that entire statue was flooded in water. They have since corrected their lack of drainage issues.

This is a great place to spend the day as there are a lot of shops and places to eat across the street and you never know who you will meet around the corner just like getting outside and help your heart health with some walking.

The park is an historic 6 acres park and is dedicated to World War I veterans. Life by Charles Adrian Pillars is the artwork that sits atop the beautiful park by the water. The statue was unveiled in 1926 and in 2018 they updated names on the memorial

📍1620 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville FL 32204

The Park is Fido Friendly 👍🏼🐕‍🦺

**er

You may recognize the name Ninah Cu**er, but did you know she played a key role in shaping Memorial Park as we know it today?🌳

Ninah made the ultimate connection in 1922 when she invited the Olmsted Brothers to have a representative come to Jacksonville to discuss the park. She helped bring the park from an open vision to a purposeful plan. Leading the charge with her penchant for style and careful detail, she engaged in friendly debate with the Olmsted Brothers leading up to the construction of Memorial Park. Next time you visit, take a moment to appreciate the vision of the woman who helped make it all possible.

06/17/2026

Number 41 Cradle Creek Preserve. So many walks so little time. I have been walking the halls of my storage unit as I downsize my life. Had to take a break and check out Cradle Creek Preserve in Jacksonville Beach FL. Maybe 4 spaces to park and say hey to the raccoons going thru the trash in the parking lot. They will chase you! 🦝🦝

Several great boardwalks, and look out points over the intercoastal waterway. You really feel like you’re on a peninsula overlooking the beauty of the marsh. No handrails on the back trail boardwalk so watch your kids and pets. The views here really are spectacular. Cute and quaint little park with a great views. I clocked a little over a mile walking all of the trails.

It is tucked behind the police department, and they are sticklers for speed going over the bridge so don’t go over. Oyster shell beds that cut like razors and will infect you or give you a flesh eating disease, so if you are not from here, do not get off the boardwalk and walk in the marsh. It’s hard to see some under the mud and you can sink in the mud.

#fidofriendly A great place to strut your mutt! Please pick up after your dog. Pack in what you pack out please, the locals use this park religiously.

📍 900 15th St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

06/08/2026

Number 40 Freedom Park. As we get closer to our 250 year anniversary in American not American’t, I decided to check out freedom Park in Jacksonville Florida. Two hour surprise freedom had nothing to do with America as a country. It was more about freedom of the Gullah Geechee Nation. I had never heard of this civilization in Jacksonville, Florida so it was quite interesting and enjoyable for me! Although it does sound like one of those words my Mom makes up! We decided to extend our stay throughout the summer to finish covering the 403 parks. This is number 40, so there’s still time to join us! Live or virtually. Check out this place the next time you are here and in the interim, you can discover it online! It is oddly placed in an intersection!

📍10946 Fort Caroline Rd Jacksonville FL 32225

06/07/2026

The park is radiant today and I'm thrilled to be surrounded by nature on our Sparkly Tour de Parks! Yesterday was an incredible day filled with new connections, rekindled friendships, and a fantastic discovery - an amazing print shop where I found some truly unique treasures. I'm eager to showcase them on my walk and spread the word about this talented team. The quality of their products is impressive, with soft, thin materials that make me feel confident and feminine. I've tagged them in this post so you can explore their shop on Facebook and experience their creativity for yourself. 

06/01/2026

🌳🏃🏻‍♀️🛼🛹Phase 2 of Riverside Park Plaza (behind the Skate Park) begins in Jacksonville FL w a Sparkly beer garden 🍻🍺 … do you have a beer garden in your park? Please ⬇️ with us if so! ✨

With Phase 1 of Riverfront Plaza completed, the City of Jacksonville is gearing up to move forward with the construction of Phase 2, which will include a beer garden, rain garden, and a bike and pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge. Here's a visual look at what's planned. Let us know what...