Castaway Island Preserve
Published April 2, 2010 | 
My family and I like to ride around the Jacksonville Area to see how much things have changed. Since the gas prices are high we haven’t had a chance to get out as much as we would like to. But last week we decided to visit a couple of the local preserves. One such park is called the Castaway Island Preserve. The park is located almost exactly between the Arlington and Southside Area boundaries on the East part of the Jacksonville Florida area. On San Pablo Road between Atlantic and Beach Boulevard is a small little park or preserve with picnic areas, walking trails, an educational center as well as a floating dock to put in a canoe or kayak. You can also fish from the dock area.
Mostly, the preserve is a place to watch wildlife, birds and have a meal in a quiet and pretty setting. As with most parks in the Jacksonville Florida Area it is free to get in, is open from sunrise to sunset and available all year round. Of course, during the summer months its kind of nice to be near the water and being on the Intercoastal Waterway it is very close to the Atlantic Ocean with is cool breezes. As with any outdoor area in Florida you should take precautions with sunscreen, mosquito repellent and lots of water to keep hydrated. There are no swimming areas in the park though. Check out the city webpage: Castaway Island Preserve Webpage
We took some pictures of the area so that you can see what is in the park.
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Reduce Stress Visit A Park
Published December 8, 2009 | Walking in a natural setting has been proven to reduce stress. And now-a-days we need all the stress reductions ideas that are FREE as we can get. One of those is walking in one of the many parks around town. I was just reading about one that I’m going to check out called the Castaway Island Preserve. It is located on San Pablo Road between Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard. That is on the eastern portion of the Jacksonville Southside Area but it looks to be worth the drive. Here are the particulars:
Castaway Island Preserve
2885 San Pablo Road South
Jacksonville, FL 32224
“The preserve is along the western shore of the Intracoastal Waterway and is adjacent to an intricate salt
marsh ecosystem. Visitors to the preserve will find themselves surrounded by the natural beauty of northeast
Florida. They may stroll along the park’s nature trails, enjoy a picnic with family and friends at one of several
picnic areas, get up close and personal with marshland wildlife from the wooden boardwalk or take in the breathtaking view from the park’s observation platform overlooking the waterway. Other amenities include a 3,000 square foot education center, floating canoe/kayak launch and information kiosk.”
Amenities offered at this park:
7 Benches
1 Canoe/Kayak Launch
50 Car Parking
4 Grills
10 Picnic Tables
1 Restrooms
0.3 Trails Paved (Miles)
1 Wildlife Observation Posts
Yes Drinking Fountain
Yes Perimeter Site Fencing
Yes Security Lighting
Yes Visitor/Interpretive Center
Another Place You might want to try would be the Forestry Tower Park. It is on the corner of Beach Boulevard and Forest Boulevards:
“Forestry Park offers six acres of fun for families and friends looking for a quiet place to picnic or bring the
children for playtime. Visitors to this neighborhood park may relax on one of its 18 benches or grill up some tasty treats on one of the two grills available for cooking out.
Forestry Tower Park Amenities:
18 benches
1 bike rack
2 grills
1 picnic shelter
7 picnic tables
14 parking spaces for automobiles
1 paved trail (0.5 miles)
3 playscape areas
5 trash receptacles
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