Where's the best park or walking/running?

[coredumped]

Baldwin rail trail if you're up for a REALLY long run (I like to take the bike on it):

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/north/trails/jacksonville_baldwin.htm

To get an idea about how long it is fire up google maps/earth and switch to satellite view, then follow it west.

[Ocklawaha]

For a really refreshing 20 minute walk, try Castaway Island Park Nature Trail. It is not only beautiful walking near the edge of the salt marshes and the island hammock with big pines, there is something to do. The city paved the trail to look like a... well... a trail. Hidden all along the trail are animal tracks, you'll follow the track for some time with the challenge to "name the animal" then come to a marker of one of the local critters which belongs to the track in question. It repeats over and over until you can ID about 20 salt marsh animals. It isn't super long, 10-20 minutes but well worth the effort. Shady parking, water, restrooms, tables, conference center, canoe launch and pier into the San Pablo River. Really a remarkable tiny pocket park. Located on the river, off of San Pablo Road, between Beach Bl and Atlantic Av.

If you like history, try this one on for size:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-mar-camp-milton-historic-preserve

http://www.campmilton.com/gallery.htm

The cool part of Milton is that it backs up to the Baldwin-Jax rail trail. If your from the north, it's a wake up call to yesterday, if your from the South, it's a spiritual journey!

OCKLAWAHA
DEO VINDICE!

[Sportmotor]

Riverside-Avondale is the nicest walk in Jacksonville if you are closeby. There are parks within, but cycling on the lesser traveled streets is a lovely journey.

Closer to the river is best, IMO.

Agreed, but personally I perfer running on Jax beach, or somewhere off it at night. Soft sand offers great resistance, closer to the water if you cant stand that. Nice breeze, good view of the water with and moonlight. Can always run a little in the water for added fun. Rarely anyone around to bump into.

Thats how I trained anyway, and how I now run.

[thelakelander]

[DavidWilliams]

Baldwin rail trail if you're up for a REALLY long run (I like to take the bike on it):

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/north/trails/jacksonville_baldwin.htm

To get an idea about how long it is fire up google maps/earth and switch to satellite view, then follow it west.

That is a pretty long route...probably best suited for biking versus running. Someone mentioned Westside Regional (I guess now Tillie Fowler across from NAS Jax). I live not too far from there and the rumor (and I think there have been a few arrests) is that it is a gay cruising venue.

[Burn to Shine]

  any other rumors I should know about?!  I don't wanna be arrested for looking hot in my running shorts!

[Lucasjj]

That is a pretty long route...probably best suited for biking versus running. Someone mentioned Westside Regional (I guess now Tillie Fowler across from NAS Jax). I live not too far from there and the rumor (and I think there have been a few arrests) is that it is a gay cruising venue.

If it is a gay cruising venue, it must be slim picking. When I have been out there on my bike I have only seen a couple of other people. Then again, I am straight and there are a lot of woods, so maybe that is where the whole gay-dar thing comes in handy.

[Lucasjj]

As far as the Baldwin trail, I try and get out there and ride at least once a week, and I always see somebody running/walking. It is nice because there are only a few road crossings, and the path is marked at half mile increments to allow you to track your distance and pace. You can also park at different spots to change the scenery, since I am sure most people do not want to run the full thing.

[Captain Zissou]

^^ Are you sure?  That doesn't seem like the ideal setting for 'gay cruising'.  It is very sparsely populated and back in the woods there is a bunch of evidence of shotgun firing.  Not to stereotype, but I didn't think shotguns would attract gay cruisers.

[CrysG]

My vote would be River Rd in Orange Park. It's right along the river and it's got some nice houses to look at. It's behind Moosehaven on 17. You can park in the area behind the OP kennel club.

Nice view.

[DavidWilliams]

   



Per the Times Union:   


latest update: Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:48 AM EDT

News anchor among those arrested in sting

By TIA MITCHELL
The Times-Union

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Darryl Tardy, a Jacksonville television news anchor, was one of seven men arrested Thursday during a police investigation of men soliciting sex at a Westside park.Tardy, 33, was also arrested in June 2000 at a Rochester, N.Y., park and charged with public lewdness during a similar undercover sting, according to a story reported by WHEC TV-10 at that time.

Tardy is an investigative reporter for First Coast News, news partner of The Times-Union and The St. Augustine Record. In addition to his reporting duties, he also anchors the Good Morning Jacksonville Show on Saturday morning.Station news director Mike McCormick would not comment on whether Tardy would be hosting the show as scheduled this morning. He also would not comment on Tardy's employment status.

Tardy joined First Coast News in November 2000 after serving as a reporter, anchor and host of a talk show for R News, a cable news station in Rochester.

TV-10, Rochester's NBC affiliate, reported that Tardy was arrested in Durand-Eastman Park along with several others on June 28, 2000. The station said those arrested were accused of having sex in the park.

McCormick said Friday he had no knowledge of Tardy's previous arrest.

On Thursday, Tardy was arrested and charged with offering for or engaging in prostitution. He was released on his on own recognizance from the Duval County jail Friday afternoon. A person who answered the phone at his home said he was not available, and the message was not returned.

Jacksonville vice detective Tommy Herrington was walking down a trail in the woods at Westside Regional Park Thursday when he passed another man, according to an arrest report. The man began touching himself suggestively and looking at the detective.

After a brief conversation, the man said to the officer, "You're a cop, aren't ya," the police report said. The officer said he wasn't.

The man asked the officer to prove he wasn't a cop, the report said.

Herrington asked if that meant exposing himself, and the man nodded his head yes. When the detective refused to expose himself, the man wouldn't talk with him anymore.

Tardy's attorney, Earl M. Johnson Jr., released the following statement Friday: "Mr. Tardy is obviously concerned about his arrest yesterday and greatly appreciates the outpouring of support that he has received from the community. Mr. Tardy is innocent of the charges and he expects to be fully exonerated."

In addition to Tardy, who lives in the 1300 block of Menna Street, the other men arrested in the Jacksonville sting are: Homer Keith Agnew, 52, of Daytona Beach; Kevin Daniel Blower, 26, of the 4800 block of Wallingford Place; Robert Allen Carte, 31, of the 3900 block of Herschel Street; Christopher Kenneth Lee, 42, of Orange Park; Ted Austin Ramirez, 38, of Palatka; and Joe Mac Wilson, 49, of Orange Park.

The men were all taken into custody between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and charged with offering for or engaging in prostitution. Florida's prostitution laws make it a crime for people to ask for sexual favors or offer to perform sex acts, regardless of whether money is exchanged.

The second-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Jacksonville police have arrested more than 50 men at Westside Regional Park this year, and most were accused of trying to pick up men for anonymous sex. Officers have made similar arrests at other public places, but not as many as at the Westside park.

[Dog Walker]

Maybe things have changed with the name change to Tillie Fowler Memorial Park.  I've taken my dogs out for walks there a number of times over the past couple of years and have only seen families with kids and school buses taking students to the nature center.  At least during the mornings, it's very quiet and peaceful.  A great place for walking or trail running.

[Captain Zissou]

Has anyone else yelled "Adrianne!!!!!!!!!!" after getting to the top of the observation tower at Westside Regional??

[billy]

River Road in Orange Park is very nice, in San Marco as well.
Question: Has there ever been a 5K in Springfield? ( pursuit by JSO does not count).

[Sportmotor]

HEY! I run barefoot I dont wear those knee highs