J. R. Alford Greenway

J. R. Alford Greenway is an 880-acre outdoor recreation area located in Tallahassee, Florida. The greenway offers over 17 miles of multi-use trails that wind through diverse landscapes, including open fields, forests, and wetlands.

The park features a mix of terrain, with both grassy areas and wooded sections. A crushed oyster shell path leads visitors from the open greenway into Tallahassee's naturally wooded forests. The trails are suitable for various activities, including hiking, cycling, running, and horseback riding.

One of the notable features of J. R. Alford Greenway is its connection to other local parks and trails. A wooden boardwalk-style bridge, built high above railroad tracks, links the greenway to Lafayette Heritage Trail Park. This bridge offers scenic views overlooking Piney Z Lake.

The greenway is part of a larger ecological system, situated near Alford Arm and Lower Lake Lafayette. These areas form part of a polje - a periodically flooded valley where water levels fluctuate based on the karst terrain below. This marshy landscape contributes to the headwaters of the St. Marks River.

J. R. Alford Greenway is not only a recreational space but also an area of historical significance. The site includes numerous 1800s-era homesites and was the scene of the last known confrontation between Native Americans and settlers in Northern Florida.

Today, the greenway is involved in conservation efforts, including long-leaf pine reforestation. It also provides habitat for small foraging animals and includes hundreds of acres managed as food plots.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset and welcomes leashed dogs. Cyclists and hikers are expected to yield to equestrians on the trails.