Chipley Park surrounds Lake DeFuniak, a pure spring-fed lake. The park can be identified regionally as Three Circle Park, a nickname that appears particularly becoming.
Famend for its exceptional form, Lake DeFuniak is taken into account to be one of the crucial good round lakes on this planet.
A mile sidewalk circles near the water’s edge. Because the lake has no outlet, water ranges can rise after durations of heavy rainfall and flood parts of the trail.
A wider 1.25-mile accessible walkway follows a better route close to the road.
Lake DeFuniak (Sandra Pal)The 2 join as a community of brick and paved walkways, permitting guests to maneuver simply between them. Our route combines them for selection.
From above, the interconnected paths create the looks of a spider’s internet radiating outward from the lake.
Surrounding the park is Circle Drive, the place guests can discover the world’s wealthy historical past by means of a self-guided strolling tour.
Junction of sidewalksThrough the late nineteenth century, the grounds served as the middle of the Florida Chautauqua, a part of a nationwide grownup schooling motion.
Mirroring the unique meeting on Lake Chautauqua in New York, it introduced distinguished audio system, educators, writers, musicians, and performers to DeFuniak Springs.
Probably the most profitable of its time, it operated from 1885 to 1927. Admission to the grounds required a charge, and lots of guests arrived by prepare on the close by depot.
Practice depotThe success of the primary meeting ensured the sale of tons across the lake to prosperous guests who constructed elegant Victorian-era houses.
Platted as an academic campus, the design of the neighborhood and Chipley Park replicate the affect of panorama architect Fredrick Legislation Olmstead.
The Octagon Home (Sandra Pal)Many of those residences stay in the present day, preserving the character of considered one of Florida’s most distinctive historic communities.
It’s acknowledged as considered one of Florida’s earliest deliberate residential communities, reflecting town’s distinctive origins.
Revived in 1993, the Florida Chautauqua continues to supply its mix of academic, arts, and inspirational packages at its historic campus every winter.
Lake view from the Corridor of Brotherhood (John Keatley)Assets
Overview
Location: DeFuniak SpringsLength: 1.6 milesTrailhead: 30.717167, -86.116056Address: 95 Circle Dr, DeFuniak SpringsFees: FreeRestrooms: Numerous Areas together with the DeFuniak Springs Guests Bureau and the Walton-DeFuniak Public LibraryLand supervisor: Metropolis of DeFuniak SpringsPhone: 850-892-8500
Open daybreak to nightfall. Leashed canines welcome.
Though this hike begins on the Chautauqua Corridor of Brotherhood, the official self-guided strolling tour begins on the Practice Depot. Cease there first for maps and historic info for the websites encountered alongside the route.
Instructions
Hike
Start your stroll in entrance of the two-story Chautauqua Corridor of Brotherhood, deliberately constructed to resemble a picket model of the US Capitol.
It includes a central dome and a particular bell-shaped cupola with flared eaves referred to as the “Lantern of Non secular Belief.”
Chautauqua Corridor of BrotherhoodFrom the Corridor of Brotherhood, observe an inviting brick pathway beneath a cover of pines and oaks.
A multi-level fountain offers a peaceable focus, with needs seen beneath the water’s floor.
FountainThis path connects to considered one of a number of walkways linking the inside and outer circles surrounding the lake.
A smaller brick path branches off towards a lined gazebo, whereas the primary route continues towards the waterfront.
GazeboHeaded counterclockwise across the lake, the panorama turns into extra open with fewer shade timber.
To the left, atop the financial institution, sits a playground accompanied by a number of benches. Close to the shoreline are two illuminated 100-foot fishing piers, every that includes a lined gazebo.
Fishing is permitted from each piers and alongside the banks of Lake DeFuniak.
Nonetheless, the turtles and geese appears to be fairly habituated as they made their method over as soon as they noticed us coming.
Fishing pierFrom the fishing pier, a connecting sidewalk leads again beneath the tree cover to Circle Drive.
Alongside this stretch, interpretive indicators from the self-guided strolling tour share the historical past of each the Pansy Cottage and Dream Cottage.
In-built 1885, these neighboring houses have been related to distinguished members of the Florida Chautauqua neighborhood.
Each house owners have been completed writers and influential figures inside the Chautauqua motion.
Pansy CottagePersevering with counterclockwise across the lake, guests can alternate between the lakeside paths and Circle Drive.
Probably the most distinctive options of the stroll is the number of historic structure.
Grand Victorian houses with expansive wraparound porches stand alongside modest brick cottages, reflecting the neighborhood’s evolution over greater than a century.
Basic structure within the historic districtStraight throughout the lake from the primary pier, you can find its twin. Throughout our go to, divers have been within the water with steel detectors searching for objects left behind.
Swimming within the lake has been allowed since 2021, following a 57-year closure to evade federal desegregation legal guidelines.
Divers on the japanese pierPersevering with alongside Circle Drive, move the First Presbyterian Church. Established in 1883, the congregation occupied a number of places earlier than settling right here in 1890.
The unique church was constructed utilizing bricks donated by Frederick R. DeFuniak, the civil engineer and railroad government for whom town was named.
Because the congregation grew, the unique construction was changed. The constructing standing in the present day was accomplished in 1923, that includes a mix of Greek Revival and Romanesque Revival architectural kinds.
First Presbyterian ChurchThe Practice Depot serves because the official start line for the self-guided strolling tour.
As we speak, the restored depot homes the Walton County Heritage Museum, the place a shiny purple caboose stands on show close by.
Adjoining to the depot is the DeFuniak Springs Customer Heart with public restrooms, an ornamental fountain, and an info kiosk containing maps and particulars concerning the strolling tour.
Strolling Tour SignagePersevering with alongside Circle Drive previous an amphitheater occupying the grassy garden between the street and the lake.
Close by interpretive shows function images of the tented lecture rooms utilized by early Chautauqua guests.
Because the route turns towards the lakeshore, an interpretive signal highlights the Florida Path.
Though the Florida Nationwide Scenic Path doesn’t move immediately by means of town, DeFuniak Springs is acknowledged as considered one of its designated Gateway Communities.
Florida Path signalProbably the most distinctive stops is the Walton-DeFuniak Library, acknowledged as Florida’s oldest repeatedly working library.
This charming two-story constructing additionally homes the Bruce Household Weapons Assortment, that includes practically 100 items of vintage armor and weaponry from all over the world, together with medieval battle axes, Japanese firearms, and Polynesian spears.
Exterior, a butterfly backyard, a part of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Path, offers a peaceable place to pause earlier than finishing the loop on the Chautauqua Corridor of Brotherhood.
Walton-DeFuniak LibraryPath Map
Discover Extra!
Video
Mountaineering Chipley Park
Slideshow
See our images from Chipley Park
Close by Adventures
Florida Chautauqua Historical past Official Web site
Chelsey Stevens is a hiker, conservation advocate, and storyteller with a ardour for Florida’s wild locations. Via social media, podcasting, and volunteer management, she works to encourage others to discover, respect, and defend the landscapes that make Florida distinctive.
