Hiking Tillie K. Fowler Park and JASMYN Food & Hygiene Drive
Details
Bring your food and hygiene donations for JASMYN and I will collect all items after the hike. Please see the list of food & hygiene items needed in the photo section of this event page.
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park sits right along US 17 across from the Jacksonville Naval Air Station. While the Nature Center and its trails are the focal point of this park, the Island Hiking Trail is a rough gem that charts a course for adventure through the northern third of the preserve. It takes a bit of wayfinding savvy, thanks to numerous unmarked cross-trails and firebreaks, as well as some smarts about habitats to avoid wading, as you circle the edge of an island surrounded by the swamps of the Ortega River floodplain. But the beauty of the forest – and a surprise patch of scrub in the midst of the wetlands – make it quite worthwhile.
Here is a link to additional information about the park: http://www.floridahikes.com/tilliekfowlerisland
There are two primary trails: The first trail (Island Trail) is 2.25 miles roundtrip and takes us to an island surrounded by swampland. The second trail (Observation Trail) is 0.8 miles roundtrip and takes us to an observation tower.
To view the trail map, visit: http://www.coj.net/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-and-community-programming/docs/preservation/tillie-k-fowler-regional-park-trail-map.aspx
- NOTE: This park is frequently muddy. Wear appropriate shoes.
PLEASE READ:
-
We will meet in the parking area at the nature center. After driving into the park, stay on the right side and go 1 mile to the end of the road and you'll see parking a sign for the nature center. You'll pass an archery course and a dog park/playground as you go into the park.
-
Get directions here: https://goo.gl/maps/JK2S4Kxx8V32
-
If anyone is interested in carpooling, please leave a message below to begin a conversation.
-
Bring bug spray, water, and maybe a snack.
If there is interest, we can go to lunch as a group afterward.