Adventures around Jacksonville FL: Hanna Park

In mid-November we opted to help our friend Phil at the Jacksonville Celtic Festival, November 22-23. This adventure provided the perfect opportunity to stay in Hanna Park, renowned for the beach, lake, and off-road bicycling. Count us in!

Boardwalk to the Beach at Hanna Park

Work was slow at our volunteer job at Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park and once our morning duties were complete it was time to roll. A call to the park confirmed there were vacant camp sites for the night facilitating a 4-day get away. Once packed we headed east on I-10, through downtown Jacksonville, and to the beach.

Let's ride those trails!

The 450 acre park has a long history. In the last century it was known as Manhattan beach and frequented by African Americans or should I say they were restricted to this beach. The beach was popular and the crowds supported businesses offering lodging, dining, and bars. (Wikipedia reference). Around 1940, land was donated for a park to be named for Kathryn Abbey Hanna, a dedicated educator and author. The park was finally developed when Jacksonville annexed the entire county. (Summary from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanna_Park)

Sea oats on the Dunes
Ships and Jacksonville Beach on the horizon

The park offers well shaded campsites with sufficient woods to give privacy to most of the 300 sites. The sites have been updated with water, electric, and sewer service. Unfortunately this cannot be said for the support structures, the bath houses and meeting rooms would benefit from a remodel. Some sites are adjacent to the lake and the remaining are a short walk or bicycle ride to the lake. The roar of the ocean fills the park beckoning you to steal away for a beach walk.

Wooded campsite
Ready to ride the trails

Don't forget the lake for a canoe trip,fishing, or a fresh water swim. Being November, rainy, and overcast, and cool we saved the water activities for the next trip. However, the cats enjoyed walking the trails from our campsite to the lake, especially late in the evening when the area was quite. Another favorite cat walk time is early morning, say 5-6 AM, but this trip we kept late hours so the early morning walks were limited.

One view of the 60 acre lake
from the trails...

Off-road bicycling is a huge draw for this park. There are interlocking trails of moderate to difficult rating. The trails wind through the woods, around the lake, and along the ocean but don't expect views as the trails are nestled in the hammocks filled with pines, oaks, and hickory. It is wise to start on an easier trail to acclimate your bicycling skills to the sand, roots, dips, and hills. Trails are one way and alternate direction each day. The trails intersect so you can construct a ride from .2 miles to 20 miles (or so).

Wonderful trails for
bicycling and hiking

The 1.5-2 miles of beach lie between the Mayport Naval Station and Jacksonville Beach. The boundary to the Naval Station is known as the 'Poles' and easy to recognize by the poles in the ocean and fence in the dunes. 

The "Poles" where the park meets
Mayport Naval Station
Legend has the surfing is good at the Poles

On the southern boundary the end of the park is heralded by the high-rise dwellings above the dune line. For some reason, the tide was always high when I visited the beach, and probably higher than normal due to the winter storm. Thus the soft sand extended to the water-line which was dotted with seaweed, shells, sea-glass, and driftwood. The beach seemed remarkably clean considering it fronted a major inlet and the open ocean. Monday while walking the beach I discovered the reason, a park truck bearing trash bags and collectors.  

Trail to the beach

Having explored several of the trails, the beach and lake, touring the park by bicycle, and meeting the staff, we left with a desire to return when we have more time to explore the park.