Fitness
PHOTOS BY TANYA CONSAUL PHOTOGRAPHY
KANAPAHA VETERAN PARK
Take A Walk On The Wild Side: Local Pet-Friendly Parks and Trails BY JACQUELINE SAGUIN
Finding a place to spend the weekend in the sun is an easy task for humans, but what about the places you can also take your four-legged friend? Get your dog's tail waggin' and your horseshoes stompin' by taking them to one of these local nature spots.
SQUIRREL RIDGE PARK free 1603 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32608 leashed pets welcome Need a place for your active pet to run around? Look no further. This grassy park gives your dog plenty of space to stretch their legs. It offers water and shade for when your panting pup needs a break. There’s also separate fenced areas for small and big dogs. And if your dog wants to cool off, take advantage of the hoses, buckets and doggie pool. Open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
O’LENO STATE PARK 410 SE Oleno Park Rd, High Springs, FL 32643 $5 per vehicle; leashed pets and horses welcome Another favorite among horse lovers, this nature park provides shaded trails stretching for 11 miles. Try your hand at canoeing or fishing along the Santa Fe River during your visit. This trail also connects to the River Rise Preserve State Park trail, adding 35 miles of multi-use trails which applies to horseback riding. Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily.
BARR HAMMOCK PRESERVE free 300 SE 175th Ave, Micanopy, FL 32667 horses welcome Although this park doesn’t allow dogs due to its alligator sightings, it’s a great place for equestrians to horseback ride. There are two trails designated for horses. The Piney Woods Loop offers a trail reaching 4.5 miles in length. It takes you through the forest on sandy and partially shaded ground. The Still Branch Crossing path crosses the creek. Preserve hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. WELLNESS360 | MARCH/APRIL 2020
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