Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => The Burbs => The Beaches => Topic started by: Metro Jacksonville on January 25, 2012, 03:15:49 AM

Title: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: Metro Jacksonville on January 25, 2012, 03:15:49 AM
Hanna Park: Public Gem

(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Other/Hanna-Park/i-xV2TFXK/0/M/1002719-M.jpg)

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a recreational gold mine and communal landmark in Jacksonville, functioning as one of the city's most recognized and visited public parks. Metro Jacksonville explores the park with its more than 447 acres of open use.



Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-jan-hanna-park-public-gem-
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: acme54321 on January 25, 2012, 06:54:04 AM
Great article.  Hanna is a cool place.

I am an active member in the mountain biking club (SORBAJax (http://www.sorbajax.org)) that is maintaining and improving the off road cycling trails at Hanna Park. You guys might want to make a few corrections to that section of the article.  These are not BMX trails, they are singletrack for off-road cycling (aka mountain bikes), big difference.  Also races have not been held at Hanna for a number of years, this event has moved to Fort Clinch.

Currently we have projects to resign the trails, correct erosion issues, an reroute some trails to make them more user friendly.
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: billy on January 25, 2012, 06:55:59 AM
How are the running/hiking trails?
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: stephenc on January 25, 2012, 08:55:25 AM
Great article. Used to frequently camp there as a kid. I used to love the slides they had on the lake. I remember there was a larger park with slides and a lifeguard on one end and a few slides on the campground side. It was a sad day when they closed them both down. Seem to remember them saying the lake was contaminated with something. 
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: KenFSU on January 25, 2012, 09:00:27 AM
Fantastic place.

Amongst my favorite in the city.
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: SarahTay on January 25, 2012, 09:27:17 AM
Quote from: acme54321 on January 25, 2012, 06:54:04 AM
Great article.  Hanna is a cool place.

I am an active member in the mountain biking club (SORBAJax (http://www.sorbajax.org)) that is maintaining and improving the off road cycling trails at Hanna Park. You guys might want to make a few corrections to that section of the article.  These are not BMX trails, they are singletrack for off-road cycling (aka mountain bikes), big difference.  Also races have not been held at Hanna for a number of years, this event has moved to Fort Clinch.

Currently we have projects to resign the trails, correct erosion issues, an reroute some trails to make them more user friendly.

Thank you for the corrections!
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: blizz01 on January 25, 2012, 09:38:09 AM
Nice read.  I had no idea that there were paddleboat rentals.  Hanna Park is certainly on the short list of places to take my daughter this year.
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: Tacachale on January 25, 2012, 11:14:12 AM
Great article on a great place. Good work, Sarah.

Metrojacksonville should really do an article on the Jax area's black beaches. That would be a great article.

One correction - the quote (taken from Wikipedia) says the park is in Atlantic Beach - it's actually a City of Jacksonville park. I corrected that at Wikipedia.
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: KenFSU on January 25, 2012, 11:19:11 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on January 25, 2012, 11:14:12 AM
Metrojacksonville should really do an article on the Jax area's black beaches. That would be a great article.

Really enjoyed this one:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-dec-abandoned-jacksonville-evans-rendezvous
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: cline on January 25, 2012, 11:32:22 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on January 25, 2012, 11:14:12 AM
Great article on a great place. Good work, Sarah.

Metrojacksonville should really do an article on the Jax area's black beaches. That would be a great article.

One correction - the quote (taken from Wikipedia) says the park is in Atlantic Beach - it's actually a City of Jacksonville park. I corrected that at Wikipedia.

It is a COJ park but it is also in Atlantic Beach.

Edit:  Actually it appears to skirt the AB line so not technically in AB.  Did not know that.
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: Tacachale on January 25, 2012, 12:02:20 PM
^Right, it's not actually in Atlantic Beach, it's in the Jacksonville city limits.
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: Ernest Street on January 25, 2012, 12:16:36 PM
Hanna Park has been a wonderful host of The Northeast Florida Astronomical Society ( NEFAS)
The First Saturday of every month they set up at least a dozen Telescopes in Parking Lot #8.  Sunset to 11pm for PUBLIC viewing.
Free to campers or the $3 gate fee.

These aren't your neighbors cheap spy scopes......the Big Boys like to show off Size. some need a step ladder to get to the eyepiece. ;D
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: Tacachale on January 25, 2012, 12:35:41 PM
Ha, we ran into those guys while camping at Hanna in September. You never know who you'll run into around here.
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: jerry cornwell on January 25, 2012, 02:23:35 PM
Quote from: Ernest Street on January 25, 2012, 12:16:36 PM
Hanna Park has been a wonderful host of The Northeast Florida Astronomical Society ( NEFAS)
The First Saturday of every month they set up at least a dozen Telescopes in Parking Lot #8.  Sunset to 11pm for PUBLIC viewing.
Free to campers or the $3 gate fee.

These aren't your neighbors cheap spy scopes......the Big Boys like to show off Size. some need a step ladder to get to the eyepiece. ;D
Thanks, Im an amateur astronomer I will take up that offer!
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: fsujax on January 25, 2012, 02:24:59 PM
All the trips to Hanna Park as a kid I will never forget. that lake used to be open for swimming, too many ear infections for me to count came from that lake!
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: KenFSU on January 25, 2012, 02:34:44 PM
Quote from: fsujax on January 25, 2012, 02:24:59 PM
All the trips to Hanna Park as a kid I will never forget. that lake used to be open for swimming, too many ear infections for me to count came from that lake!

This story still upsets me:

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/crime/2009-08-11/story/gator_kills_dalmatian_at_jacksonvilles_hanna_park
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: fsujax on January 25, 2012, 02:40:01 PM
yep. had to keep on the lookout for them as well, they were usually on the other side of the lake.
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: jandar on January 25, 2012, 03:51:43 PM
NEFAS varies the night they go out to Hanna Park.
Its generally the closest saturday to first quarter moon. Makes for best viewing of planets, a few deep space objects, and of course the moon.

http://nefas.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=37
More information about public sessions at Hanna Park.

NEFAS Calendar:
http://nefas.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=217&Itemid=98

Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: Mtn_Biker on January 25, 2012, 09:39:04 PM
Like Acme said above, SORBA Jax is working hard to improve the trails at Hanna Park, which are often extremely sandy and eroded.  If you're interested in helping out, please visit www.sorbajax.org for more information.  We've also been asked to make some improvements to the hiking trails as well.
Title: Re: Hanna Park: Public Gem
Post by: nycfrance on February 11, 2012, 10:46:41 AM
I am considering moving to Jacksonville Florida- pretty general statement, but any feedback is helpful.  I do not know much about this city, except what wikipedia writes.  Please give me any information....