Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park Map
About Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Jacksonville
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a 447-acre public beach and city park located in Jacksonville, Florida, specifically in the Mayport area of Jacksonville Beaches. The park features 1.5 miles of white sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean, offering visitors a pristine coastal experience.
A centerpiece of the park is its 60-acre freshwater lake, which is open for fishing, kayaking, paddle boating, and canoeing. Swimming is not permitted in the lake. Surrounding the lake are scenic hiking and mountain bike trails that wind through a mature coastal hammock, providing a diverse ecosystem that is increasingly rare along Florida's heavily developed Atlantic coast.
Hanna Park boasts over 20 miles of trails for hiking and biking, catering to various skill levels from easy family-friendly paths to challenging routes for experienced mountain bikers. Trail names like "Grunt," "Misery," and "Tornado Alley" hint at the more difficult options available for hardcore cyclists.
The park offers extensive camping facilities, including nearly 300 campsites nestled in a wooded area. These sites are accessible via paved roads and come equipped with amenities for RVs, tents, and even rustic cabin options. Each campsite typically includes a picnic table, fire ring, and hookups for water, electricity, and sewer.
For day visitors, the park provides picnic areas with cooking facilities, playgrounds, and a small splash park for children that operates seasonally. Dolphin Plaza, an oceanfront event space, is available for rentals and can accommodate various gatherings such as weddings, reunions, or corporate events.
Historically significant, part of what is now Hanna Park was formerly Manhattan Beach, Florida's first beach community for African Americans during the period of segregation. The park was later named after Kathryn Abbey Hanna, an esteemed Florida scholar who served as chair of the state's Board of Parks and Historical Places.
Wildlife enthusiasts can observe various species in the park, including shorebirds, wading birds, and occasionally alligators and foxes. The beach area is also a nesting site for sea turtles from May through October.
