Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Since 1985, America has celebrated July as Parks and Recreation Month. Jefferson County residents seem ready to appreciate our local outdoor spaces all year long, but having July as Parks and Recreation Month provides an opportunity not only to highlight what our local parks have to offer but also to recognize the people who make those parks important places in our community.
Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Parks and Recreation Month specifically highlights the important role that local parks and recreation facilities play in building strong, vibrant and resilient communities across the country. This year’s national theme of “We Rise Up for Parks and Recreation” is being used to convey this message. Today, we'll take a look at places – those parks and recreation areas just around the corner or down the road in Jefferson County. Later this month, we'll continue the celebration by recognizing the local professionals who work in our parks and recreation areas.
Jefferson County Recreation Director Mike Holm says, “There have been some major improvements to the parks in Jefferson County. Please come out and enjoy the Jefferson County parks with their new improvements.”
Jefferson County Recreational Park
Jefferson County Recreational Park has a paved, shaded walking trail that encircles the property located at 1380 Mamie Scott Drive, with parkour activity points and rest stops along the way. The park also contains a baseball/softball complex, racketball courts and recently resurfaced tennis courts with pickleball lines now added. The playground has newly added equipment with covered picnic areas nearby. The newly constructed concession stand includes handicap accessible restrooms. In addition, the ballfields have new fencing, and new lights are on the way.
Chase Street Park/Clifford Brown Park
A short loop walking trail is located at Clifford Brown Park, at the intersection of Chase Drive and South Railroad Street. It is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and also has a picnic pavilion, playground equipment, a mini soccer field and parking for access to the Monticello Bike Trail.
Monticello Bike Trail
The Monticello Bike Trail is for walking as well as biking. The paved pathway runs for two miles from north to south through the city, parallel to Railroad Street, along the abandoned railroad line. Access is easy, whether by foot from a nearby neighborhood, cycling to a cross point or driving to a nearby lot and walking from there. Motorized traffic is barred from access. The north end of the bike trail connects by a sidewalk to the Jefferson County Recreational Park.
Boots Thomas Veterans Memorial Park
Monticello is the hometown and resting place for World War II hero Ernest “Boots” Thomas. On Feb. 23, 1945, Thomas led his Marine brothers-in-arms to raise the first American flag on Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan. The “Boots” Thomas Memorial is an eight foot high structure on the north side of Washington Street, west of the Court House near the Big Bend Transit office. A relief sculpture on the monument depicts the flag raising, and a bronze plaque at its base records the history of the event. A picnic table nearby allows visitors to enjoy lunch under shady oaks. For more information about the Boots Thomas Veterans Memorial Park, contact Troy Avera at (850) 997-5007 or averavista@aol.com.
Monticello Ecological Park
The Monticello Ecological Park offers a 3/4-mile nature trail that is right in town at 1000 S. Water St. A leisurely stroll here will take you through mixed hardwoods and pines, leading to an elevated boardwalk across a spring-fed stream, with exercise stations along the way.
Letchworth-Love Archaeological State Park
See Florida's tallest Native American ceremonial mound, located on Hwy. 90 between Monticello and Tallahassee.
Econfina River State Park
This park in Lamont meanders through pine flatwoods, oak-palm forests and salt marshes dotted with pine islands. Access the river via kayak, canoe or boat; or enjoy 14.8 mies of wooded trails by off-road bike or on horseback that take you to a panoramic view of coastal sand dunes. For more information, visit the Florida State Parks website or call (850) 487-7989.
Hall Park
Follow South Salt Road and turn onto Hall Road south of Lamont, and you'll find hidden-away Hall Park. This park is getting a facelift, with a newly constructed walking track and soon-to-be new fencing as well as resurfacing of the tennis/basketball court.
Aucilla Wildlife Management Area
The Aucilla Wildlife Management Area lies between the Aucilla and Wacissa rivers in southern Jefferson County. It offers recreational opportunities for paddlers, bikers, birders, boaters, hikers and campers. It is one of the earliest sites of human habitation in North America and contains diverse wildlife from bears to bream. Both the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the Florida Trail provide access to the area. For more information, visit myfwc.com/recreation/lead/aucilla/.
Later this month, we'll continue to celebrate July as Parks and Recreation Month by recognizing the people who make our local parks places we want to go. Every day, park and recreation professionals rise up for their communities in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being.
For more information about Parks and Recreation Month, visit www.nrpa.org.