Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Nature Man and his wife Alma (Grandpa and Grandma) had the wonderful experience of exploring Washington Oaks Gardens State Park with their grandchildren, Josie and Noah, and their Mom (our daughter) Melissa on a beautiful sunny 75 degree December day, the Monday after Christmas. You got to love living in our wonderful sunny NE Florida paradise.

Melissa, Josie and Noah

Extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Matanzas River, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park preserves 425 acres of Florida's original coastal scenery. Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, Washington Oaks is also famous for the shoreline of  coquina rock formations that line the Atlantic Beach.

Coquina Rock

Location
Follow I95 south from Jacksonville and take exit 305 (FL-206) east to State Road A1A South. Washington Oaks is located two miles south of Marineland on State Road A1A. Visitors can learn about the park's natural and cultural resources in the visitor center behind and between the gardens and the Matanzas River.




History
Washington Oaks land is part of the Bella Vista Plantation once owned by General Joseph Hernandez, a Floridian of Minorcan descent. Hernandez was a militia general who commanded troops in this part of Florida during the Second Seminole War. A surveyor named George Washington, a relative of the first President of the United States, married Hernandez's daughter in 1845.

Matanzas River

In 1818, Jose Mariano Hernandez, a St. Augustine native, bought the land, and named it "Bella Vista". On his many land holdings, Hernandez raised cotton, sugar and crops to feed the family, workers and slaves. Bella Vista adjoined his cotton plantation to the south, but was apparently never developed as a separate farm itself.

Much of what you see in the park today was left by Mr. Owen D. Young and his wife Louise. Mr. Young bought the property in 1937 and they enjoyed it for many years as a winter retreat.  Mr. Young helped found the RCA Corporation and became Chairman of the Board of The General Electric Company in 1922. Mrs. Young donated the property to the State of Florida in 1964 following the death of Mr. Young.

On September 30, 2009 approximately 21 acres of Washington Oaks was designated on the National Register of Historic Places highlighting 8 significant structures throughout the park.

Hiking/Nature Trails

Washington Oaks provides trails for both hiking and biking.  The Bella Vista trails include the Timucuan hiking trail, Jungle Road hike and bike trail and the Old A-1-A hike and bike trail. This 1.7 mile trail system explores a mature coastal maritime hammock and ventures into the edge of a dense canopied coastal scrub. The Mala Compra hiking trail is a half mile loop that explores the ecozone between the coastal maritime hammock and the estuarine tidal marsh along the Matanzas River. The trails are maintained by Florida Trail Association volunteers.

Picnicking
Washington Oaks provides a beautiful picnic facility beneath large majestic oaks. There is a covered pavilion that is equipped with 10 picnic tables and 3 charcoal grills.  Picnic tables are plentiful  throughout the designated grounds. The pavilion can be reserved for a special function by calling the Park Office at 386-446-6783. Clean restrooms are available. A children's playground is found next to the picnic area.


Formal Gardens
The formal gardens are the centerpiece of Washington Oaks. A portion of the hammock contains a formal garden where many species of exotic Plants from around the world are displayed along footpaths and around reflecting ponds. The gardens are well known for their azaleas, camellias and roses.

Birding
The park is on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Birding can be enjoyed in a variety of habitats including the beach, Matanzas River and throughout the formal gardens. A Birding Checklist is available in kiosks located throughout the park and on the official  Florida State Parks website under the Washington Oaks Gardens State Park information link.

Nature Man Photography is pleased to bring you the following:

 

 

 

 

We Love Hiking with Grandpa and Grandma