Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park
Between the San Jose and Beauclerc neighborhoods on Jacksonville’s Southside, Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park offers a quiet escape from busy streets. Unlike many parks built around organized sports, this roughly 20-acre park is known for its wooded walking trails, creek access, kayak launch, and natural surroundings. Towering oak, pine, and maple trees shade much of the property, making it a favorite for walkers, runners, and families looking for one of Jacksonville’s quieter outdoor spaces.
History of the Park
The park’s story goes back to the late 1950s, when Octavio Garces, an instructor at The Bolles School known to campers as “Captain O.S.,” and his wife Geraldine ran a private day camp on the site called Camp Tomahawk. The camp gave local children outdoor activities and recreation for decades.
In 1981, the City of Jacksonville purchased the property from the Garces family for use as a public park, on the condition that it be named for Octavio Garces’ father, Alejandro Garces. Neighbors wanted a passive park rather than an athletic complex, and the city has largely honored that: most of the grounds remain in a natural state, with mature oak, pine, and maple trees and a creek running through the middle of the property to Goodby’s Creek. Over the years, volunteers, Eagle Scouts, the Jacksonville Track Club, and the Mayor’s Council on Fitness and Well-Being have helped expand and maintain the trail system while preserving that natural character.
Location and Access
The park sits just north of San Clerc Road, between the San Jose and Beauclerc sections of southeast Jacksonville, with on-site parking.
A Park Built Around Nature
The park’s emphasis on preserving Jacksonville’s native landscape sets it apart. Visitors can enjoy:
- Shaded hiking and walking trails
- Children’s playground
- Picnic shelters
- Picnic tables and grills
- Multipurpose athletic field
- Kayak and canoe launch
- Restrooms
- Creek access
- Open green spaces
Things to Do at Camp Tomahawk Park
Walk the Nature Trails. The park’s trail system is one of its biggest draws. A scenic loop winds beneath mature oak, pine, and maple trees, crosses small bridges, and follows the creek through the center of the park, making it popular with walkers, runners, and nature lovers year-round.
Launch a Kayak. A non-motorized launch on Goodby’s Creek gives kayaks and canoes easy access. The calm water suits beginners in favorable conditions, and paddlers can explore the creek while taking in wildlife and quiet scenery.
Enjoy a Family Picnic. Covered picnic shelters, grills, and open lawns make the park a good spot for birthdays, family gatherings, or a relaxed lunch outdoors, often in the shade of mature trees while kids explore the playground.
Watch for Wildlife. Because so much of the park has been left in its natural state, visitors often spot great blue herons, egrets, woodpeckers, turtles, butterflies, squirrels, and other native Florida birds, good conditions for photography and birdwatching.
Nearby Attractions Worth Visiting
Goodby’s Creek Boat Ramp. A few minutes away, this ramp provides public access to the St. Johns River for fishing boats, kayaks, and paddleboards.
Walter Jones Historical Park. History enthusiasts can tour a restored nineteenth-century farmhouse, walk along the St. Johns River, and visit the Mandarin Museum.
Historic Mandarin. The nearby Mandarin neighborhood offers riverfront parks, locally owned restaurants, boutique shops, and generations of Jacksonville history.
San Jose Country Club. This private club has been a Jacksonville landmark since the 1920s, and its Donald Ross-designed golf course adds to the area’s heritage.
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A Favorite for Walkers and Runners
While many Jacksonville parks focus on organized sports, Alejandro Garces Camp Tomahawk Park has built a reputation as one of the city’s best spots for walking and jogging. Its shaded trail loop, quiet atmosphere, and natural surroundings make it a favorite for residents who want to exercise outdoors, and continued support from community organizations has kept the trail network in good shape for future visitors.