Palmetto Leaves Regional Park
Tucked into Jacksonville’s Southside, Palmetto Leaves Regional Park is one of the city’s largest and most varied parks. Spanning nearly 400 acres between Greenland Road and Old St. Augustine Road, just west of the Philips Highway/I-95 corridor, it blends athletic facilities, nature trails, quiet waterways, and family-friendly amenities in one property. Minutes from major shopping and residential areas, it’s an easy destination whether you’re after a paddle, a picnic, a hike, or a softball game.
History of the Park
The City of Jacksonville purchased the land in 1998 with support from the Florida Communities Trust. Rather than developing the full property, the city preserved most of its natural landscape while adding recreational spaces, and the park was established in the years that followed. Today it covers roughly 400 acres of forest, wetlands, athletic fields, and waterways.
The park was designed with two separate entrances, each offering a different experience. The north entrance, off Greenland Road, focuses on organized sports and family recreation. The south entrance, off Old St. Augustine Road, opens onto hiking trails and paddling access to Big Davis Creek.
Location and Access
The north entrance sits at Greenland Road; the south entrance is at 13799 Old St. Augustine Road, where the Big Davis Creek launch is located. Both entrances offer on-site parking.
Two Parks in One
Greenland Road Entrance
The north entrance is built for active recreation:
- Lighted softball fields
- Children’s playground
- Paved walking trail
- Picnic shelters
- Picnic tables
- Restrooms
- Open green spaces
Old St. Augustine Road Entrance
The south entrance offers a quieter, more natural experience:
- Canoe and kayak launch
- Hiking trails
- Picnic shelter
- Big Davis Creek access
- Restrooms
- Scenic woodland surroundings
Things to Do at Palmetto Leaves Regional Park
Paddle Big Davis Creek. The park’s canoe and kayak launch sits on Big Davis Creek, which connects to Julington Creek for a scenic route through peaceful wetlands. Paddlers often spot birds, turtles, and other native wildlife, and the launch works well as a starting point for longer trips through Jacksonville’s connected waterways.
Walk the Nature Trails. Paved paths and hiking trails wind through mature forest and natural landscape, good for birdwatching, photography, or a quiet walk through some of the native plant communities that once covered much of Northeast Florida.
Enjoy Youth Sports. The lighted athletic fields at the Greenland Road entrance host softball practices and games throughout the year, drawing families and spectators.
Have a Picnic. Picnic shelters and tables at both entrances make the park a good spot for birthday parties, family gatherings, or a weekend lunch outdoors.
Nearby Attractions Worth Visiting
Julington Creek. Connected directly to Big Davis Creek, Julington Creek is one of Jacksonville’s most popular waterways for kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing, with calm water suitable for paddlers at any experience level.
Walter Jones Historical Park. A short drive away, this park offers a different kind of visit, with restored nineteenth-century buildings, a riverfront boardwalk, and the Mandarin Museum covering Jacksonville’s agricultural history.
Historic Mandarin. The nearby Mandarin neighborhood is known for oak-lined streets, St. Johns River views, and locally owned restaurants, with history dating back to the nineteenth century.
The Avenues. For shopping and dining, The Avenues is a short drive from the park, with national retailers, restaurants, coffee shops, and entertainment options.
IT Support for Local Businesses – Total Business Systems
Local sports leagues, park vendors, and the small businesses around Palmetto Leaves Regional Park all rely on steady technology behind the scenes, from league registration to point-of-sale systems. Total Business Systems provides Managed IT Services, network management, and cybersecurity to businesses and organizations throughout Jacksonville’s Southside, keeping day-to-day operations running so local teams and companies can stay focused on their communities instead of downtime. As a trusted provider of Jacksonville IT Services, Total Business Systems tailors its solutions to businesses of every size in the area.
Why Visit Palmetto Leaves Regional Park?
Palmetto Leaves Regional Park offers one of the more complete outdoor experiences in Jacksonville, combining athletic facilities, hiking trails, paddling access, picnic areas, and natural habitat in a single property. Whether you’re launching a kayak on Big Davis Creek, walking beneath the pines, watching a softball game, or having an afternoon picnic, there’s something here for most ages and interests. Planned improvements, including a new playground, will keep it a strong destination for families and outdoor recreation going forward.