Partly in deep shade in a mature hardwood hammock and partly alongside the river and tidal marsh, the path system connects to the paved paths of Blue Cypress Park.
A mile loop below old-growth timber connects the Nature Path with the boardwalk, passing a picnic space beneath the pines.
Within the hammockA showy boardwalk with accessible approaches at each ends spans between the parks alongside the riverfront, with a few stairs to the water for anglers.
Quick access to a ship ramp and fishing pier is on the riverside finish of the massive parking space, with picnic tables by the waterfront.
Waterfront at boat rampAssets
Overview
Location: ArlingtonLength: 1.8 milesTrailhead: 30.377258, -81.618348Address: 4322 Richard Denby Gatlin Rd, JacksonvilleFees: FreeRestroom: On the trailheadLand supervisor: Metropolis of JacksonvillePhone: 904-255-7919
Open 7 AM to 9 PM. Leashed canines welcome. Different entry to the paths is on the market via Blue Cypress Park.
Instructions
Hike
From the trailhead, stroll into the woods on the asphalt footpath. Attain a T intersection with a directional signal. Make a left to begin the character path.
A slim pure footpath, it shortly enters a mature hardwood hammock with towering timber.
T intersectionLarge southern magnolia and stay oaks dominate this lush woodland. Clumps of noticed palmetto add texture to an understory busy with younger timber.
A tenth of a mile in, a bench is sort of swallowed up by the forest. Strewn with oak and magnolia leaves, the footpath crunches underfoot.
Among the many magnoliasComing within reach of the park entrance street, the path curves to parallel it. Grapevines and palmetto line the sides of the trail.
A big opening within the forest reveals large timber behind it. Preserve proper at a fork; the left department empties onto the park street.
The hardwood forestCircling behind the yard of the park caretaker’s residence, the path folds again in the direction of the river basin at 1 / 4 mile.
Grapevines dangle from the cover; netted chain fern clusters in a moist spot. Stroll beneath extra towering timber, relaxed clumps of bluestem palm under.
Approaching the caretaker’s yardThe understory of younger timber is skinny sufficient to disclose mild off a salt marsh on the forest’s edge.
A brief methods previous the following bench, Southern magnolia dominates one nook of the forest.
Bench earlier than the magnoliasMaking a pointy curve left, stroll amongst drifts of magnolia leaves throughout the footpath on this lush inexperienced panorama.
Because the magnolias skinny out, a few of their counterparts, loblolly bay, intermingle with the oaks.
Extra magnoliasAt a half mile, drawing ever nearer to the salt marsh, the tang within the air is unmistakable.
Loblolly pines rise like column from mounds of sentimental needles they’ve dropped at their bases.
Nicely-cushioned underfoot, the footpath leads via a hall outlined by shrubs and saplings, clusters of swamp bay urgent shut.
Base of an unlimited pineSpills of grapevine type a good passageway earlier than the habitat relaxes into the hardwood hammock acquainted from the beginning of this loop.
At 0.6 mile, an unmarked however apparent junction offers a shortcut immediately again to the trailhead.
Move it by and keep on the principle path, crunching throughout fallen magnolia leaves.
Narrowing hallThe brightness forward alerts a habitat shift to mesic flatwoods. Sweetgum sprouts below the oaks because the path hall narrows.
Emerge on a low bluff above the salt marsh. Widening, the footpath curves previous a bench below the pines and oaks
Bench in a clearingDarkish, damp earth seems underfoot alongside a line of palms. Weave between palms below towering loblolly and slash pines.
A brief aspect path results in a bench alongside the salt marsh. Proceed down a hall of tall pines to a clearing canopied by oaks.
Salt marsh benchIt’s the picnic space promised on the trailhead signal, with a lined pavilion and scattered park benches below the pines and oaks.
Keep left alongside the picnic space’s edge to discover a overwhelmed path into the salt marsh at 0.8 mile. Take the ramp to the riverfront boardwalk. Flip left.
Picnic spaceHovering between the salt marsh and the St. Johns River, the boardwalk offers panoramas in all instructions.
Many are industrial, just like the piles of sand and earth throughout the river with the skyscrapers of downtown Jacksonville behind them.
Strolling in the direction of Blue Cypress ParkThis protected shoreline has a scrim of pine forest between the marsh and river, making for a pleasing, breezy stroll.
Hermit crabs scuttle alongside the tiny sand seashores on the riverfront, and egrets choose via the shallows.
Wanting in the direction of downtown JacksonvilleMaking a pointy left, the boardwalk faces a pier extending out into the river. Cross over a salt creek flowing in mazy curves out of the salt marsh.
Drawing near the tip of the boardwalk, it turns into apparent that it’s now not attainable to stroll to that commentary deck.
Hurricane-driven floodwaters indifferent the pier from this boardwalk.
Indifferent pierAt a pointy left, the boardwalk descends a ramp into neighboring Blue Cypress Park, with a trailhead in sight.
This park has its personal paved path resulting in the entrance entrance and a loop to the marsh. This is your turnaround level for Arlington Park.
Accessible trailhead inside Blue Cypress ParkSavor the return stroll alongside the river, reaching to the ramp you used to entry the boardwalk at 1.2 miles.
Move the ramp and proceed alongside the boardwalk. A set of stairs into the river offers entry for anglers.
River entryA second set throughout from a ramp ends on a tiny strip of seaside. Proceed previous this intersection.
The boardwalk ascends and fronts a regulation enforcement complicated and its boathouse.
After one other waterfront stretch, the walkway jogs to its conclusion on the park’s boat ramps at 1.5 miles.
North finish of the boardwalkCross the ramps to see the interpretive panels close to the sheltered picnic desk.
They define particulars on the human historical past of this riverfront.
Return alongside the boardwalk to the staircase to the seaside. Take the ramp on the left to the asphalt path.
It closes the loop with the character path. Flip left to return to the trailhead, finishing a 1.8 mile stroll.
Ramp resulting in trailheadPath Map
Discover Extra!
Video
A stroll via Arlington Lions Membership Park
Slideshow
See our photographs from Arlington Lions Membership Park
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Official Web site
Creator of over 40 books, Sandra Pal established FloridaHikes.com in 2006 to develop on the sphere analysis she’d accomplished for her first six mountaineering guides. She has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Path Affiliation and the Florida Out of doors Writers Affiliation.
